Psychology

    AQA
    A-Level

    Specification: 7182

    Psychology explores why we think, feel and behave the way we do. From cognitive processes to social behaviour, you'll learn about key approaches, research methods and how to evaluate psychological studies.

    4

    Topics

    0

    Objectives

    16

    Exam Tips

    15

    Pitfalls

    Ready to practise?

    AI-powered quizzes tailored to your specification

    Start Practising

    Key Features

    • Understand key approaches
    • Evaluate research studies
    • Apply psychology to real life
    • Analyse psychological debates

    Assessment Objectives

    AO1
    38%-40%

    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures

    AO2
    33%-35%

    Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures: • in a theoretical context • in a practical context • when handling qualitative data • when handling quantitative data

    AO3
    33%-35%

    Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to: • make judgements and reach conclusions • develop and refine practical design and procedures

    What Gets Top Grades

    A*/Grade 9

    Knowledge & Understanding

    Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge

    • Uses correct subject-specific terminology
    • Shows detailed understanding of concepts
    • Makes accurate connections between topics
    • Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge

    Application

    Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts

    • Selects relevant knowledge for the question
    • Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
    • Uses examples appropriately
    • Shows awareness of context

    Analysis & Evaluation

    Develops sophisticated analytical arguments

    • Constructs logical chains of reasoning
    • Considers multiple perspectives
    • Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
    • Acknowledges limitations and nuances

    Key Command Words

    AQA
    State
    1 mark

    Give a single fact or term

    Identify
    1 mark

    Name, select, or recognise

    Outline
    2 marks

    Set out main features briefly

    Describe
    2-4 marks

    Give an account of what something is like or what happens

    Explain
    3-6 marks

    Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains

    Compare
    2-4 marks

    State similarities AND differences (both required)

    Analyse
    6-9 marks

    Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains

    Evaluate
    6-12 marks

    Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion

    Assess
    6-12 marks

    Make judgments about importance with justification

    Calculate
    2-4 marks

    Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units

    Common Exam Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

    • •Confusing 'conformity' research (Asch) with 'obedience' research (Milgram)
    • •Describing the procedure of the study when the question asks for 'explanations' of obedience
    • •Providing generic ethical criticisms without discussing the cost-benefit analysis or debriefing
    • •Failing to distinguish between 'Agentic State' and 'Legitimacy of Authority' as distinct concepts
    • •Confusing 'coding' (format of information) with 'capacity' (volume of information)
    • •Asserting LTM capacity is 'unlimited' without qualification; prefer 'potentially infinite'
    • •Failing to distinguish between maintenance rehearsal (keeping info in STM) and elaborative rehearsal (transfer to LTM)
    • •Describing the model without referring to the linear flow or the role of attention

    Top Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for exam success

    • •When asked for 'variables', focus on Proximity, Location, and Uniform; when asked for 'explanations', focus on Agentic State or Legitimacy
    • •In 16-mark essays, limit AO1 description to 6 marks (approx. 150 words) to allow sufficient time for AO3 evaluation
    • •Use the 'PEEL' structure for evaluation: Point, Evidence/Example, Explain (implication), Link back
    • •For AO2 application questions, quote the specific text from the item that triggers the psychological concept
    • •For 16-mark 'Discuss' questions, allocate exactly 6 marks to Description (AO1) and 10 marks to Evaluation (AO3)
    • •Do not simply describe supporting studies (e.g., Baddeley); explicitly state *how* the findings support the MSM's assumptions
    • •Use the 'PEEL' structure for evaluation: Point, Evidence (Study), Explain (Link to theory), Link (Counter-point or implication)
    • •When applying to scenarios (AO2), explicitly link the 'rehearsal' mentioned in the stem to the transfer processes in the model

    Specification Topics

    4 topics

    Obedience

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    The Multi-Store Model of Memory

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Depression

    0 objectives4 tips3 pitfalls

    Correlations

    0 objectives4 tips4 pitfalls

    Ready to master Psychology?

    Start practising with AI-powered quizzes tailored to your AQA A-Level specification.

    Get Started Free