Core Studies 2

 

Section B structured essays

 

 1

Some psychologists believe that the environment or situation we are in determines our behaviour.  If this were true then we would all behave in similar ways under similar conditions and some studies appear to show that this is what happens.  Other psychologists argue that not all our behaviour is similar to others’ and that we are thinking, feeling individuals, with our own personality.  

Using the Core Studies listed below, answer the questions which follow.

Gould (IQ testing)

Rosenhan (sane in insane places)

Piliavin, Rodin and Piliavin (subway samaritans)

Deregowski (perception)

 

 

 

 

(a)

Describe what each study tells us about how situations affect behaviour.

 

[12]

 

 

 

(b)

Using examples, give four problems psychologists may have to consider when they study the effect of situations on behaviour.

 

[12]

 

 

 

 

[Total Marks

24]

 

 

Specimen 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 2

Some of the core studies take a physiological approach to human behaviour and experience.  This approach considers how our hormones, nervous system, and functions of the brain interact to determine our behaviour.  

Using the core studies listed below answer the questions that follow.

Schachter and Singer (emotion)

Sperry (split brain)

Dement and Kleitman (sleeping and dreaming)

Raine, Buchsbaum and LaCasse (brain scanning)

 

 

 

 

(a)

What physiological processes were involved in each of the studies?

[12]

 

 

 

(b)

Using examples, give two strengths and two weaknesses of the physiological approach?

[12]

 

 

 

 

[Total Marks

24]

 

 

Specimen 2003

 

 

3 Psychologists sometimes carry out longitudinal studies where any changes in the behaviour and experience of the participants observed is recorded over a long period of time.  Using the core studies below, answer the questions that follow.
 

Hodges and Tizard (social relationships)

Freud (Little Hans)

Gardner and Gardner (Project Washoe)

Thigpen and Cleckley (multiple personality disorder)

(a) Describe the longitudinal approach taken in each of the studies. [12]

(b) Using examples, discuss four problems psychologists may have to consider when they study behaviour over a long period of time.
[12]

[Total

24]
 

May 2003

 

4 Psychologists often want to make statements about how most people behave or experience the world.  These statements are called generalisations,  However, such generalisations are often based on a limited range of participants, environments, activity or culture. Using the core studies below, answer the questions that follow.
 

Haney, Banks and Zimbardo (prison simulation)

Gould (intelligence testing)

Samuel and Bryant (conservation0

Deregowski (perception)

 

 

(a) Describe a generalisation that can be made from each study. [12]

(b) Using examples, discuss two advantages and two disadvantages of making generalisations about human behaviour and experience.
[12]

[Total

12]
 

May 2003

 

5 A number of studies in psychology have developed explanations of 'normal' behaviour by investigating causes of unusual (or 'abnormal') behaviour and experience.  
   

Each of the studies listed below involved some abnormal behaviour.

  
     
  Thigpen and Cleckley (multiple personality disorder)
Sperry (split brain)
Hodges and Tizard (social relationships)
Freud (Little Hans)		  
     
(a) Outline the abnormal features of behaviour described in each of these studies. [12]
     
(b) Using examples from these studies, discuss two advantages and two disadvantages of studying abnormal behaviour. [12]
 

[Total

 

 24]

 
6 When carrying out experimental research, one of the most important factors that psychologists have to consider is what variables need to be controlled and how that control is to be achieved.  
     
  In each of the studies listed below, the psychologists controlled a number of variables.

Baron-Cohen, Leslie and Frith (autism)
Piliavin, Rodin and Piliavin (subway samaritans)
Rosenhan (sane in insane places)
Schachter and Singer (emotion)

  
     
(a) Outline how one variable was controlled in each of these studies. [12]
     
(b) Using examples from these studies, discuss two advantages and two disadvantages of applying controls in psychological studies. [12]
 

[Total

January 2004

 

 24]

 
7 One common way of collecting data in psychology is to ask participants questions and then to analyse the answers.  Such data is referred to as a self report measure.  
 
Each of the studies listed below used self report measures.

Hraba and Grant (doll choice)
Hodges and Tizard (social relationships)
Thigpen and Cleckley (multiple personality disorder)
Schachter and Singer (emotion)

  
     
(a) Describe the self-report measure that was used in each of these studies. [12]
     
(b) Using examples from these studies, discuss two strengths and two weaknesses of using self-report measures
[12]
 

[Total

 24]
  May 2004

 

  
8 Some studies in psychology have applications that make a useful contribution to our understanding of behaviour and experience.  
   

Each of the studies listed below has useful applications.

Samuel and Bryant (conservation)
Loftus and Palmer (eyewitness testimony)
Raine, Buchsbaum and LaCasse (brain scans)
Milgram (obedience)

  
     
(a) Describe how each study is useful. [12]
     
(b) Using example from these studies, discuss four problems psychologists have when they try to carry out useful investigations.
[12]
 

[Total

 24
  May 2004

 

  
11 Some studies in psychology look at how individuals differ and how cultures differ.  
     
  Each of the studies listed below tells us about individual or cultural differences.

Deregowski (perception)
Gould (IQ testing)
Tajfel (intergroup testing)
Hraba and Grant (doll choice)

  
     
(a) Describe the findings of each of these studies. [12]
     
(b) Briefly discuss two advantages and two disadvantages of studying individual or cultural differences giving examples from any of these studies.  

[12]
 

[Total

 24]
  May 2005

 

  
12 Psychological research is often carried out on a sample of participants that is restricted in some way.  
     
  Each of the studies listed below involved a restricted sample of participants.

Schachter and Singer (emotion)
Milgram (obedience)
Raine, Buchsbaum and LaCasse (brain scans)
Haney, Banks and Zimbardo (prison simulation)

  
     
(a) Describe how the sample was selected in each of these studies. [12]
     
(b) Briefly discuss two advantages and two disadvantages of using a restricted sample of participants with examples from any of these studies.   

[12]
 

[Total

 25
  May 2005  
     

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

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Here are some tips on how to answer core studies 2 section b questions