Prevalence
What Prevalence means in Psychology GCSE, as defined for AQA, Pearson Edexcel.
Definitions of Prevalence
Exam boards and our study guides word this term in slightly different ways. Learn the version your board uses.
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Prevalence in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: AQA
Counts all existing cases of a condition at a point in time, unlike incidence which counts new cases.
The total number of cases overall, which is not the same as new cases in a given time.
Topics that use Prevalence
- Psychological problems (AQA GCSE)
- Psychological problems (Pearson Edexcel GCSE)
Related terms
- Incidence
- Applying knowledge to realistic examples
- Aversion therapy
- Biological explanation of depression
- Biological explanations of depression
- Biological treatments
- Challenges of modern living
- Challenging and restructuring unhelpful thoughts
Using Prevalence in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Psychology questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge