Tips for answering the revision questions:
Chapter 8,
Intelligence and Learning (A2 Level
Psychology page 323)
Question 1
The most important phrase in this essay title is “one or more”—it means you need to decide which theories
you know enough about; do you want to write about one theory in great detail, or two (or more) theories
with less detail on each? Be aware that it is “theories” and not “approaches” which are being demanded, but
you could use the terms “information-processing theory” and “learning theory” as well as Gardner's theory.
AO1: For the chosen theory/theories you need to name each and outline its essentials. The more accurate,
detailed, organised, and structured your answer is, and the more breadth and depth of information you
include, the higher the mark.
AO2 and AO3 marks depend on how you develop your answer, how you elaborate—discussion rather than
plain description. You could comment on various studies that support or challenge the theory, interpreting
the findings and assessing the methodology. You could comment on the ethics of this research, because
intelligence is a socially sensitive topic. You could also include comments on the reductionist or
determinist approach of some research, and mention possible applications of the research to the everyday
world. To do well in these mark areas, you will need to make relevant comments based on issues, debates,
and approaches.
Question 2
The most important word in this essay title is “evidence”—it means you need to think about what evidence
you know about; i.e. genuine research evidence, and not personal or anecdotal knowledge.
AO1: One way to start would be to outline the different methods of learning and explain each, perhaps with
an example from the non-human animal world. This would cover classical and operant conditioning, selfrecognition, social learning, and Machiavellian intelligence. The more accurate, detailed, organised, and
structured your answer is, and the more breadth and depth of information you include, the higher the mark.
AO2 and AO3 marks depend on how you develop your answer, how you elaborate—discussion rather than
plain description. For each type of learning you could comment on various studies which support or
challenge, interpreting their findings and assessing their methodology. You could apply your knowledge to
commenting on the ethics of using non-human participants in this research. You could also include
comments on the reductionist or determinist approach of some research, and the vast differences in ability
within a species, as well as between species. To do well in these mark areas, you will need to make relevant
comments based on issues, debates, and approaches.
Question 3
This helpful essay title has done your basic plan for you—you need decide what you know more about, so
you can start there and then progress through to the other factors. You just need to make sure you write
about more than one factor, as the question uses a plural.
AO1: You could start by listing the factors you know about, and then briefly explain the basics of each
before going on to explain the first factor in detail. The more accurate, detailed, organised, and structured
your answer is, and the more breadth and depth of information you include, the higher the mark.
AO2 and AO3 marks depend on how you develop your answer, how you elaborate—discussion rather than
plain description. For each factor, you could comment on various aspects. For ecological demands, for
example, you could elaborate about dietary and foraging explanations, and mental maps, (illustrated with
examples) before evaluating this concept. Overall you can discuss the problems of not being able to carry
out accepted scientific research, as much of these ideas are based on assumptions about the distant past.
You could also apply your knowledge to the validity of extrapolating research using non-human animals to
ourselves. You could also include comments on the reductionist or determinist approach of some of the
research. To do well in these mark areas, you will need to make relevant comments based on issues,
debates, and approaches.
Question 4
This essay has several important factors; intelligence tests, genetic factors on test performance, and
environmental factors and test performance. You need to think carefully about what you know and how you
can apply it to this question.
AO1: One way to start would be to explain what is meant by genetic and environmental factors, with
simple examples. Then give an outline of what an intelligence test is and what its purpose is, i.e. the
significance of individual performance in these tests. The more accurate, detailed, organised, and structured
your answer is, and the more breadth and depth of information you include, the higher the mark.
AO2 and AO3 marks depend on how you develop your answer, how you elaborate—discussion rather than
plain description. You probably want to explain the difference between intelligence and IQ, and discuss the
point of measuring IQ, i.e. the psychometric approach. Then you can evaluate the approach generally.
Genetic factors could come next, perhaps from the viewpoint that inheriting genes for easy/fast learning,
makes for higher intelligence and higher text performance. Since you know that most genetic research uses
twin studies, you could make some comments on the strengths and limitations, interpreting their findings
and assessing their methodology. You could also discuss adoption studies and environmental factors, with
examples, and this would lead very appropriately into the influence of culture, again with examples of
studies, along with their strengths and weaknesses. You could also include comments on the reductionist or
determinist approach of some research. To do well in these mark areas, you will need to make relevant
comments based on issues, debates, and approaches.