Core Studies Section C Flashcards
Outine one way this article can support the situational side of the individual/situational debate.
Support your answer with evidence from the article. (3 marks)
How would you answer this
. A understanding of individual side of the debate
. A understanding of situational side of the debate
. Clear link to how the article supports the situational side of debate
How would you get full marks on the question.
Explain why this article could be placed in the social area of psychology.
4 marks
2 marks for a clear and accurate explanation showing a developed understanding of the social area
(Define social area)
Plus
2 marks clear and relevant link using supporting evidence of why the article could be placed in the social area (what and who).
. Quote article
. This links to social area because…
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Example of developed understanding of social area:
The social area looks at how people communicate with each other, how they interact and how they behave in groups. (1) It therefore looks at the behaviour of the individual within a context of interrelationships with others. (1)
What can the the article relate to?
It can relate to different studies in one area
E.g article about social area
Mentioned:
Obeying order from coach - Bandura
Brazil/ encouraged to be friendly, helpful, agreeable - simpatia
Helped over the finishing line - altruism
This can all relate to a psychological issue
Outline the structure for writing about a psychological issue
( 3 marks)
Example question:
Identify two psychological issues raised by the article above. Support your answer with evidence from the article
Outline issue
eg. Altruism
Explain issue
eg. Altruism is where selfless behaviour/ concern for welfare of others and help others in need
This relates to the article…
. Quote some of article
. Also put it into your own words
What is the structure for evaluating the suggestions you gave for Section C.
My first suggestion can be evaluated using the ——- debate. (Give a debate/ issue)
This is a strength/weakness because
Also in terms of .. in can be evaluated
Repeat as above for second suggestion
What does a psychological issue mean and what can you speak about
They are psychological facts (anything we have learned in psychology)
Can be positive or negative
Section C - article
How would you answer this:
Outline one weakness of the sample in this study (article)
3 marks
1 mark - Identifying weakness
Eg. Sample lacks population validity
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1 mark - explanation/ implication of this weakness
———————-
1 mark - considering this in context with the article
(Can use for strength as well)
What do you need to do when explaining an issue or area and relating it to article.
4 marks
Example question:
Outline one principle or concept of the cognitive area and briefly explain how it relates to this article. (4 marks)
Explain a principle (2 marks)
Link to article by quoting (1 mark)
Say how the quote links to the principle of area/ issue you picked out at the start. (1 mark)
What order should you read article
Read article
Read questions
Read article again - annotate
When briefly describing the study and and how they relate to the article, how many marks for each section?
(7 marks)
5 marks for explaining study
2 marks for explaining article
Briefly consider the individual/ situational debate in relation to the article above.
Support your answer with evidence from the article.
5 marks
Outline the structure for this question
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Model answer:
The debate is relevant to this article as it begs the question whether the Mexican athlete’s situation affected whether he was helped or not, or whether it was more reliant on the individuals who were present at the time
(1). An individual explanation for behaviour is one that focuses on a single individual deeming behaviour to be unique to them due to a combination of innate, genetic and experiential factors such as DNA, personality, cognitions and development (1). For example, the Brazilian athlete may have been an innately caring individual who automatically made every effort to catch up and help the struggling Mexican so he could cross the finishing line. Likewise, The American athlete may have been innately self-centred, seeing the Mexican’s plight as being due to his own fault, and therefore focused on his own chance of winning the race (1). On the other hand, a situational explanation for behaviour is one that focuses on environmental factors such as current events which may influence behaviour (1). Here the Brazilian athlete says, “In Brazil we are always encouraged to be friendly, helpful and agreeable” so learning experiences may have made him prepared to stop and help the Mexican athlete.
In addition, the social stimulus of seeing the struggling Mexican may have prompted him to offer help to the stricken athlete, suggesting a situational explanation for his behaviour (1).
Briefly consider the individual/ situational debate in relation to the article above.
Support your answer with evidence from the article.
5 marks
(June 2018)
Outline the structure for this question
The answer should show the following:
. An understanding of the individual side of the debate.
. An understanding of the situational side of the debate.
. An understanding of how the debate in general is relevant to the article.
. Relevant application of the individual side to the article.
. Relevant application of the situational side to the article.
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Model answer:
The debate is relevant to this article as it begs the question whether the Mexican athlete’s situation affected whether he was helped or not, or whether it was more reliant on the individuals who were present at the time
(1). An individual explanation for behaviour is one that focuses on a single individual deeming behaviour to be unique to them due to a combination of innate, genetic and experiential factors such as DNA, personality, cognitions and development (1). For example, the Brazilian athlete may have been an innately caring individual who automatically made every effort to catch up and help the struggling Mexican so he could cross the finishing line. Likewise, The American athlete may have been innately self-centred, seeing the Mexican’s plight as being due to his own fault, and therefore focused on his own chance of winning the race (1). On the other hand, a situational explanation for behaviour is one that focuses on environmental factors such as current events which may influence behaviour (1). Here the Brazilian athlete says, “In Brazil we are always encouraged to be friendly, helpful and agreeable” so learning experiences may have made him prepared to stop and help the Mexican athlete.
In addition, the social stimulus of seeing the struggling Mexican may have prompted him to offer help to the stricken athlete, suggesting a situational explanation for his behaviour (1).
Outline one limitation of using a correlational technique in this study (from the article)
3 marks
- How would you answer this question.
1.
1 mark for identification of limitation
Plus
1 mark for clear link to research of social media
Plus
1 mark for elaboration in relation to the context
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Limitation of using a correlation
e.g., inability to establish cause and effect,
Information about the study e.g. does use of social media lead to poor mental health or do young people use it more when they experience poor mental health?
Further elaboration: other aspects of social life like friendship networks and family relationships may also be having an impact as well as social media.
(Introduction of a third variable).
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Examiners report:
This was well answered with the majority of candidates identifying inability to establish cause and effect as a limitation.
Those not achieving full marks often did not elaborate on why it was a limitation (e.g. other aspects like friendships and social life may also be having an impact as well as social media).
