EXAM STYLE QUESTIONS (ESQ)
Approaches: Cognitive, Behavioural & Individual
Differences
------------------------------------------------------------------------Cognitive Approach
January 2010
a. Briefly outline the cognitive approach to psychology (4)
b. Describe two pieces of research that use the cognitive approach to psychology (8)
c. Discuss the strengths and limitations of using the cognitive approach to explain behaviour. Use
examples of research to support your answer (12)
d. Compare the cognitive approach with the behaviourist perspective. Use examples of
psychological research to support your answer (8)
e. Discuss determinism and free will debate in psychology (8)
June 2010
a. Using your knowledge of psychology, briefly outline the cognitive approach to psychology. (4)
b. Describe two pieces of research that use the cognitive approach to psychology. (8)
c. Discuss the strengths and limitations of using the cognitive approach to explain behaviour. (12)
d. Compare the cognitive approach with the behaviourist perspective. (8)
e. Discuss the features of the cognitive approach that support the view that psychology is a
science. (8)
Behavioural Perspective
*no exam question has come up for this section
Example
a. Using your knowledge of psychology, briefly outline the behavioural perspective to
psychology. (4)
b. Describe two pieces of research that use the behavioural perspective to psychology. (8)
c. Discuss the strengths and limitations of using the behavioural perspective to explain
behaviour. (12)
d. Compare the behavioural perspective with the OTHER physiological approach. (8)
e. Discuss how the behavioural perspective provides a situational explanation of behaviour.
(8)
Individual Differences
*no exam question has come up for this section
a. Briefly outline the individual differences approach in psychology. (4)
b. Describe two pieces of research that use the individual differences approach in psychology.
(8)
c. Discuss the strengths and limitations of research that provides an individual explanation of
behaviour. (12)
d. Compare the individual differences approach with the physiological approach. (8)
e. Can individual explanations of behaviour be considered useful? (8)
Progress Check:
Approaches ESQ
Questions
4
Outline Cognitive
4
Outline Behavioural
4
Outline individual
difference
Two pieces of research
Cognitive
Two pieces of research
Behaviour
Two pieces of research
Individual Differences
Strengths & Limitations
Cognitive
Strengths & Limitations
Behavioural
Strengths & Limitations
Individual DIfferences
Compare cognitive &
behavioural
Compare cognitive &
individual differences
Compare individual
differences and
behavioural
Determinism & Free Will
8
8
8
12
12
12
8
8
8
8
8
Psychological as a
Science
Situational &
Dispositional
Usefulness
8
Ethnocentricism
8
Reductionist
8
Nature-Nurture
8
8
Notes/
Plan
Open
Things I am doing well:
Things I need to improve:
Grade
Timed
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