Ocr: Applying Your Knowledge Of Psychology Effectively

OCR: Applying your knowledge of Psychology effectively

Introduction

Assessment Objective 2 (AO2): -

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

AO2 is worth 30-35% of the total marks at A Level. Therefore, the ability to apply psychological knowledge effectively, often to novel scenarios, is essential to success in A level Psychology.

Paper 1

Paper 1 is the most heavily weighted paper for AO2 with 12-14% of the 30-35% overall AO2 marks available on this paper. Both sections B and C feature a scenario of an unfamiliar study which you will be required to answer questions on, by applying your knowledge and experience of research methods. The first step is to read the scenario, known as a stem, very carefully. Underline, highlight or circle key information, every word is there for a reason and will be relevant to the questions that follow. Make sure your answers are in context by quoting from the stem and referring to it, many of the questions will end with the instruction in this study , to remind you of this requirement.

Section B will always feature a design a study question, which is an extended writing task and is worth 15 marks at A level. You will be given a stem and asked to write about four required features in the context of the stem. There is a further requirement that you must refer to research you have undertaken during your study. Therefore, you need to have carried out an experiment, a self-report, an observation and a correlation as you could be asked about any of those.

Do not waste time writing a detailed procedure and including things not asked for, keep strictly to the four required features. The best approach is to write a paragraph for each required feature. You need to explain and justify your choices and refer to your own research, all in the context of the stem.

For example, if you were asked to design a repeated measures design experiment on the effects of caffeine on reaction times and one of the required features was: - the sampling technique to obtain participants for your study.

I would use an opportunity sample to obtain my sample as its quick and easy and it is what I used in my own experimental research.

This identifies a sampling technique and makes an attempt to justify it, but it is not in context and it doesn t actually refer to your own research.

A better answer: -

I would use opportunity sampling to obtain a sample of 20 participants to take part in research to investigate the effect of caffeine on reaction times. I used this technique when I conducted my own experimental research replicating the Stroop effect. I used the first 20 participants that agreed to take part in my research from the 6^th form common room. The benefit of this sampling technique is that it is very convenient and enabled me to find my sample quickly and easily from those available at the time. It is also ethical as people can decline my invitation to take part, which is important in this study as potential participants might not want to consume caffeine.

Paper 2

Section C will always have a stem which you need to apply your knowledge of psychology to. Your first task will be to decide which area, theme and/or the core studies the stem refers to. For example, a stem on helping behaviour would refer to social psychology, responses to people in need and Piliavin et al (1969) and Levine et al (2001). However, do not simply summarise the relevant core studies, you need to apply them, which means you need to be selective about the material you use to answer the questions and ensure it relates to the stem.

Section C will ask for two suggestions to improve lives or change behaviour which arise from the stem. Note the plurality requirement in the question, you must provide two suggestions or you will be capped at a maximum of half marks. These must be rooted in psychological theory and not simply common sense or anecdotal suggestions. They must be explained in the context of the stem. The follow up question will ask you to evaluate your suggestions. However, generic evaluation will not earn credit. You must evaluate with reference to themes and debates. The themes will be dictated by the stem, you then need to decide which of the debates are relevant, you can and probably will need to use more than one.

The debates you should refer to include: -

Nature/nurture

Freewill/determinism

Reductionism/holism

Individual/situational explanations

Usefulness of research

Ethical considerations

Conducting socially sensitive research

Psychology as a science

For example, if a suggestion were made to use behaviour modification to reduce aggressive behaviour in young people, an evaluative point could be: -

The use of behaviour modification is reductionist as it does not consider the cognitive processes that underlie behaviour. Without changing the way people think, a permanent behaviour change is unlikely. The young people will be likely to simply just change their behaviour whilst being watched to gain the reward, but not modify their behaviour at other times. The behaviourist approach can also be considered reductionist as it does not consider other explanations for the young people s aggressive behaviour, it views it as learnt behaviour which can be unlearned. Whilst some aggressive behaviour is learnt from past experiences, there are also possible biological explanations for aggression. Aggressive behaviour has evolutionary advantages and has evolved to protect individuals. There are considerable individual, social and cultural differences in aggression. Therefore, a more holistic approach needs to be taken to understanding and controlling aggressive behaviour which considers both biological and cognitive factors as well as behavioural ones.

Paper 3

A key skill you will have learnt in your study of English at GCSE level is writing for purpose and audience. This is also part of AO2, applying your knowledge to explain an aspect of psychology to a specific audience. In Section A, Issues in mental health, this has been assessed in the past by asking candidates to explain symptoms of a mental disorder or treatment to, for example, the general public via a website or families of people with disorders. In these questions if you simply describe symptoms or treatments will not be able to access all the available marks, you must tailor your answer to the audience.

In Section B, Options question C will always be a 10-mark AO2 question. You will be given a stem and asked to Outline at least one strategy . . To achieve level 4, 9-10 marks, the mark scheme states: -

Response demonstrates a good application of psychological knowledge and understanding to the question. Application will be explicit, accurate, and relevant to the question.

There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is clear and logically structured. The information presented is relevant and substantiated.

Marks are often lost because the strategies suggested are not detailed enough and lack psychology. You must ensure that you explain exactly how your suggestions relate to the stem.

Exemplar paragraph (need approximately 3 paragraphs for 10 marks): -

To ensure her nursery is attachment friendly Alice could introduce an integration policy, based on the findings of Ainsworth and Bell s research. Before starting nursery, children could visit with their mothers or caregivers. During these visits, the child could explore the unfamiliar environment, using their mother as a secure base until they have increased in confidence. They could be introduced to the staff with their mother present to reduce stranger anxiety. Over the course of several visits the child would grow in confidence as the environment and staff became more familiar. The child could then be left for a short amount of time, gradually building up the amount of time spent away from the mother. This would ensure that the child realised they had not been abandoned and that the mother would return.

Conclusion

The best way to improve your skill on AO2 is through practice. Complete as many past paper questions as you can and look at mark schemes, examiners reports, and exemplar material for further guidance. These are available on the awarding body website www.ocr.org.uk.

Deborah

CPsychol, AFBPsS