How to Revise E2E stub topic — WJEC A-Level Psychology
E2E stub topic is a topic in the WJEC A-Level Psychology specification. This guide covers learning objectives, examiner tips, common mistakes, and key terminology to help you revise effectively.
Examiner Tips for E2E stub topic
- When answering extended questions on biological treatments, consistently structure your response around strengths, limitations, and ethical dimensions, using named drug classes as examples.
- Include a clearly labelled diagram of synaptic transmission in essay answers to demonstrate technical knowledge and enhance clarity.
- For higher marks, integrate biopsychological concepts with cognitive or behavioural perspectives to show holistic understanding.
- Always define key terms (e.g., reuptake, synapse) explicitly in your opening paragraphs to establish a strong knowledge base.
Common Mistakes in E2E stub topic
- Confusing neurotransmitters with hormones, overlooking differences in release and target sites.
- Oversimplifying serotonin's role by attributing all mood regulation to it, ignoring its functions in appetite and sleep.
- Describing dopamine only in terms of pleasure, neglecting its role in motor control and learning.
- Failing to consider the placebo effect when evaluating drug treatment efficacy.
Key Marking Points
- Award credit for accurate description of the lock-and-key model of neurotransmitter binding and receptor specificity.
- Credit for evaluating both the therapeutic benefits and side effects of biological treatments, with reference to research studies.
- Expect clear differentiation between excitatory (e.g., glutamate) and inhibitory (e.g., GABA) postsynaptic potentials.
- Reward candidates who critically address the reductionist nature of purely neurochemical explanations for complex behaviour.