Question 1

What are practical applications in psychology?

Accepted Answer

Practical applications refer to how psychological theories and research are used to solve real-world problems. Examples include therapies for mental health disorders (e.g., CBT for depression), techniques in forensic psychology (e.g., offender profiling), and interventions in health psychology (e.g., campaigns to reduce smoking). In the OCR A-Level, you need to evaluate these applications critically, considering their effectiveness, ethical implications, and limitations.

Question 2

How do I evaluate practical applications in an exam?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate practical applications, discuss both strengths and limitations. For strengths, consider evidence of effectiveness (e.g., research support), real-world benefits, and cost-effectiveness. For limitations, consider ethical issues, cultural bias, individual differences, and practical constraints (e.g., training requirements). Always use specific examples and link to psychological theory. For top marks, also consider alternative applications or improvements.

Question 3

What is the difference between a practical application and a theory?

Accepted Answer

A theory is a set of ideas that explains psychological phenomena (e.g., cognitive theory of depression). A practical application is the use of that theory to address a real-world issue (e.g., cognitive therapy for depression). Theories are often tested in controlled settings, while applications are implemented in complex, real-world environments. You need to understand how theories inform applications and why applications may not always perfectly reflect the theory.

Question 4

Can you give an example of a practical application in forensic psychology?

Accepted Answer

One example is offender profiling, which uses psychological principles to predict characteristics of unknown criminals. For instance, the FBI's organised/disorganised typology is applied to serial crime investigations. However, its effectiveness is debated; research by Canter (2004) found that profiling is only accurate in about 50% of cases. In an exam, you could discuss this application, its strengths (e.g., helps narrow suspects) and limitations (e.g., relies on stereotypes, low validity).

Question 5

Why are ethical issues important in practical applications?

Accepted Answer

Ethical issues are crucial because practical applications directly affect people's lives. For example, using aversion therapy for addiction raises concerns about informed consent and potential harm. Practitioners must balance effectiveness with ethical principles like autonomy, beneficence, and non-maleficence. In exams, you should always consider whether the benefits of an application outweigh its ethical costs, and suggest safeguards (e.g., regular reviews, patient consent).

Question 6

How do I revise for Section C practical applications?

Accepted Answer

Start by reviewing key theories and their real-world uses. Create revision cards for each application, listing its strengths, limitations, and supporting studies. Practice writing 12-mark answers under timed conditions, focusing on evaluation. Use the PEEL structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) to organise your paragraphs. Also, discuss applications with classmates to deepen your understanding of different perspectives.

Section C: Practical applications

Topic Overview

Key Concepts

What You Need to Demonstrate

Marking Points

Examiner Tips

Common Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Start

Likely Command Words

Ready to test yourself?

Related Topics in OCR A-Level Psychology

Applied psychology (Component 03)

Data recording, analysis and presentation

E2E stub topic

How science works

How to Revise Section C: Practical applications — OCR A-Level Psychology

Examiner Tips for Section C: Practical applications

Common Mistakes in Section C: Practical applications

Key Marking Points