Unit 1 – PSYB1
Introducing Psychology – Miss Earl’s sections
3.1.1 Key Approaches in Psychology
3.1.2 Biopsychology
What we learn will cover section A of the examination (the exam is split into 3 components – Part A
which Miss Earl will teach, Part B Gender Development (taught by Mr Bennett) and Part C Research
Methods (taught by Mr Bennett)
Past paper questions from section A:
Below are all of the past paper questions which are relevant to your revision for PSYB 1
Approaches and Biopsychology. Note that from 2003-2009 Biopsychology used to be a separate
component whereas from 2009 it was combined with the approaches.
Wherever methods of studying cortical specialisation is mentioned note that several have been
taken off the specification now (e.g. neurosurgery, electrical stimulation). The questions themselves
remain relevant.
January 2003
1 (a) Outline one assumption of the psychoanalytic approach in psychology. (2 marks)
(b) Identify three features of the humanistic approach. (3 marks)
2 (a) Identify two changes which take place in the body during the fight or flight response. (2 marks)
(c) Distinguish between the terms genotype and phenotype. Illustrate your answer with an example of each.
(5 marks)
June 2003
1 (a) Outline one assumption of the cognitive approach in psychology. (2 marks)
(c) Hannah has an illness which means that she must go to hospital once a month for drug treatment. The
drugs which she is given always make her sick afterwards. She has been going to hospital for six months.
Hannah now finds that when she arrives at the hospital for her treatment, she is sick before she has the
drugs.With reference to the behaviourist approach in psychology, give one explanation as to why
Hannah is now sick before she takes the drugs. (5 marks)
2 (a) Using an example, explain what is meant by localisation of cortical function. (3 marks)
(c) In your answer book, name the parts of the neuron labelled A, B, C and D in Figure 1
below. Clearly identify your answers as A, B, C and D. (4 marks)
(d) Gary gets very nervous on the day of his examination. In the morning he cannot eat. If he tries to read
his notes, he finds that he cannot concentrate. Just before he goes into the examination room his hands
become sticky as he begins to sweat. After the examination he feels hungry and sleepy.
Describe the function of the adrenal glands and autonomic nervous system (ANS) in stressful situations.
Use this knowledge to explain each of Gary’s symptoms before and after the examination. (10 marks)
January 2004
(c) Harry is 8 years old and has always enjoyed going to school. This term, however, his parents have
noticed a change in his behaviour. Harry has become very withdrawn and displays great fear and anxiety
every time he has to go to school. When his parents question why he no longer wants to go to school,
Harry says that he was bullied last term.
Referring to features of the behaviourist approach, suggest why Harry has developed a fear of school. (4
marks)
(d) Describe and discuss the cognitive approach in psychology. Refer to one other approach in your
answer. (10 marks)
2 (a) Identify two techniques used to investigate cortical specialisation. (2 marks)
(b) Each of the descriptions below gives a function of a part of the nervous system:
A supports and restores normal body activity by conserving and storing energy;
B carries messages from the brain or spinal cord to the muscles;
C prepares the body for action in threatening situations.
In your answer book write down which function (A, B or C) is a description of the activity of
(i) a motor neuron;
(ii) the autonomic nervous system (sympathetic branch);
(iii) the autonomic nervous system (parasympathetic branch). (3 marks)
(d) Discuss how knowledge about localisation of function has contributed to our understanding of
behaviour. Refer in your answer to at least two examples of cortical localisation of function. (10 marks)
June 2004
1 (a) Outline one criticism of the behaviourist approach. (2 marks)
(c) John is playing tennis. He perceives the ball coming towards his left-hand side. He decides to respond
by playing a backhand shot. John returns the ball and wins the point.
Outline the information-processing approach and illustrate it with reference to aspects of John’s behaviour.
(5 marks)
(d) Describe and discuss at least two features of the psychodynamic approach. (10 marks)
2 (a) Below are three definitions:
A a person’s characteristics that are determined solely by the environment;
B a person’s genetic make-up;
C a person’s characteristics that are determined by genetics and the environment.
In your answer book, write down which of the above is a definition of
(i) a genotype;
(ii) a phenotype. (2 marks)
(b) Outline one limitation of the biological approach in psychology. (3 marks)
(c) Evolutionary theorists claim that the physical and behavioural characteristics of a species are likely to be
the result of natural selection.
Using an example, explain what is meant by the term “natural selection”. (5 marks)
January 2005
(b) The table below is not complete. It should contain the names of key approaches in psychology and a
basic assumption of each approach. In your answer book, identify the key approaches for (i) and (ii), and
give a basic assumption for the cognitive approach in (iii). Label your answers clearly. (3 marks)
(c) Shelby had a new set of crayons. However, rather than use them in her colouring book, she scribbled all
over the wallpaper. Shelby’s mother was very angry and sent her to her bedroom. When Shelby was left
alone again, she crayoned in her book, rather than on the wallpaper.
Identify two features of the behaviourist approach and say how they might explain Shelby’s change in
behaviour. (4 marks)
2 (a) Identify two functions of the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.
(2 marks)
(b) The table below is not complete. In your answer book, write the names of the cortical areas of the brain
that should be placed in (i) and (ii). For (iii), describe the main function of the visual area. Label your
answers clearly. (3 marks)
(d) Discuss at least two methods that have been used to investigate cortical specialisation in the brain. (10
marks)
June 2005
1 (c) (i) Outline what is meant by the information-processing approach. (2 marks)
(d) Describe and discuss the behaviourist approach in psychology. Refer to at least one other approach in
your answer. (10 marks)
2 (a) Diane is at a pop concert with her friend Robbie. She has been longing to see her favourite band play
live. When the band appears on stage, she says to Robbie, “I’m so excited.
I can feel my heart pounding.” After the concert, Diane says to Robbie, “That was fantastic, but I’m so
hungry, my tummy is rumbling. Shall we get something to eat?”
In your answer book, write down which of Diane’s physiological responses is a result of :
(i) sympathetic action of the autonomic nervous system;
(ii) parasympathetic action of the autonomic nervous system. (2 marks)
January 2006
1 (b) Outline two criticisms of the psychodynamic approach. (4 marks)
(c) Lesley is anxious and has low self-esteem. As a child, she felt that, no matter how hard she tried to
please people, no one ever approved of her. She sometimes feels worthless.
Referring to the humanistic approach, explain one possible cause of Lesley’s problems. (4 marks)
2 (a) Below is a diagram of the human brain. It is labelled A, B, C and D.
Write in your answer book which letter, A, B, C or D, matches each of the areas below:
(i) auditory area;
(ii) somatosensory area;
(iii) visual area;
(iv) motor area. (4 marks)
(b) Distinguish between the terms genotype and phenotype. (3 marks)
(c) State what is meant by selective breeding. Explain why it has been used by psychologists to investigate
the genetic basis of behaviour. (3 marks)
June 2006
1 (a) Briefly describe one feature of the psychodynamic approach in psychology. (3 marks)
(c) Sunita is eight years old and suffers from a medical condition which means she often has to go into
hospital. Each time she goes into hospital, the treatment makes her feel sick. One day, Sunita’s mother
took her to visit her grandmother in hospital. When they arrived at the hospital, Sunita complained to her
mother that she felt sick.
Referring to features of the behaviourist approach, explain why Sunita felt sick when she went to visit her
grandmother in hospital. (4 marks)
(d) Discuss the humanistic approach in psychology. Refer to at least one other approach in your answer.
(10 marks)
2 (a) Identify two methods that are used to investigate localisation of function (cortical specialisation) in the
brain. (2 marks)
(b) Below is a diagram of a sensory neuron (Figure 1). It is labelled A, B, C and D.
Write in your answer book which letter, A, B, C or D, matches each of the structures
below:
(i) cell body;
(ii) myelin sheath;
(iii) nucleus;
(iv) axon.
Label your answers clearly. (4 marks)
(c) Molly is walking home late at night. Suddenly, she is startled by the sound of footsteps behind her. She
feels her heart pounding and her mouth goes dry. When Molly arrives home, she tries to relax by watching
the television. Soon her breathing slows down and she begins to feel hungry.
From the description above,
(i) identify two actions of the parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system;
(ii) identify two actions of the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. (4 marks)
January 2007
1 (c) Jaina is three years old. She sees a packet of her favourite chocolate biscuits on the kitchen table.
Jaina’s mother says to her, “You must not eat any of the chocolate biscuits.” When her mother leaves the
kitchen, Jaina cannot stop herself from eating a chocolate biscuit, even though she has been told not to.
Suggest a psychodynamic explanation as to why Jaina ate the chocolate biscuit. (4 marks)
(d) Discuss the cognitive approach in psychology. Refer to at least one other approach in your answer. (10
marks)
2 (a) Briefly describe one technique used to study cortical specialisation in the brain. (3 marks)
(b) Outline what is meant by the fight or flight response. Give an example. (3 marks)
(c) Some psychologists believe that human and non-human behaviour can be explained in terms of
evolutionary processes.
(i) What is meant by the term evolution? (2 marks)
(ii) Give an example of one behaviour and suggest how this behaviour can be explained in terms of
evolutionary processes. (2 marks)
(d) Discuss the biological approach in psychology. Refer to evidence in your answer. (10 marks)
June 2007
(b) (i) Briefly explain one assumption of the humanistic approach in psychology. (2 marks)
(ii) Briefly explain one assumption of the cognitive approach in psychology. (2 marks)
(d) Describe and discuss the behaviourist approach in psychology. (10 marks)
2 (a) Outline one difference in function between a motor neuron and a sensory neuron. (2 marks)
(b) What is meant by the terms genotype and phenotype? Use an example to illustrate the difference
between them. (4 marks)
(c) Briefly discuss one limitation of the biological approach in psychology. (4 marks)
(d) Ben and his friends are at a theme park. They are waiting in a queue to ride a terrifying rollercoaster.
Ben starts to feel sick and his hands become hot and sticky. As he moves near to the front of the queue, he
feels his heart pounding. After the ride, Ben feels very thirsty and tired.
Describe the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the adrenal glands in a stressful situation.
Use this knowledge to explain Ben’s responses before and after the rollercoaster ride. (10 marks)
January 2008
1 (c) Mia is revising for her history examination. Her teacher asks her the following question,
“Who was the mother of Queen Elizabeth I?” Mia thinks hard. She then remembers what her teacher taught
her in the previous history lesson. She then replies, “Anne Boleyn”.
Outline the information-processing approach and illustrate it with reference to the description above. (5
marks)
(d) Discuss the psychodynamic approach in psychology. (10 marks)
2 (a) Outline the role of the adrenal glands in the fight or flight response. (2 marks)
(b) Tom has a phobia of mice. He saw a mouse scurry across the floor. Tom immediately felt sick and he
felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Sometime later, his heart stopped pounding and he got
his breath back.
From the description above, identify three of Tom’s bodily responses and state whether each response
results from the action of the sympathetic or parasympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system. (3
marks)
June 2008
1 (a) Describe one assumption of the behaviourist approach in psychology. (3 marks)
(c) Mark is 33 years old. He has low self-esteem and feels worthless. One day, his therapist asked him
about his childhood. Mark said, “I never had a close relationship with my mother. She would only cuddle me
if I was a good boy and did what I was told.”
With reference to one assumption of the humanistic approach, explain a possible cause of Mark’s
problems. (4 marks)
(d) Discuss the cognitive approach in psychology. Refer to at least one other approach in your answer. (10
marks)
2 (a) Identify three divisions of the nervous system. (3 marks)
(b) Explain the difference between genotype and phenotype. (3 marks)
(c) Explain two limitations of the biological approach. (4 marks)
January 2009
1 (a) What do behaviourists mean by the term operant conditioning? Give an example of how operant
conditioning might be used to train an animal (3 marks)
1 (b) Identify and explain one methodological issue which might arise when using EEGs to investigate
cortical specialisation (3 marks)
1 (c) (i) Outline the role of the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system in
physiological arousal (2 marks)
1 (c) (ii) Sophie is taking her driving test for the first time. She is very nervous. Her hands begin to sweat
and she can feel her heart pounding. When the examiner asks Sophie to start the car, she feels sick. After
the driving test, Sophie begins to feel her breathing slow down.
From the description above, identify two of Sophie’s bodily responses, stating whether each response is a
result of the action of the sympathetic nervous system or the parasympathetic nervous system (2 marks)
1 (d) Describe and evaluate the humanistic approach in psychology. Refer to at least one other approach
in your answer (10 marks)
June 2009
1 (a) Name and briefly describe one defence mechanism. Suggest how this defence mechanism might help
a person to cope with the breakdown of a close relationship. (3 marks)
1 (b) (i) What is meant by classical conditioning? (1 mark)
1 (b) (ii) Briefly outline how researchers, such as Pavlov, have investigated classical
conditioning.(2 marks)
1 (c) Jake has a very stressful job. He is often late home from work and hardly gets any sleep. One night,
Jake is so stressed and angry that he punches a door. Jake comes from a violent family.
Suggest how a biological psychologist and a behavioural psychologist might explain
Jake’s violent behaviour.(4 marks)
1 (d) Discuss two of the following methods that have been used to investigate areas of cortical
specialisation in the brain:
� neurosurgery **note this method has now been removed from the spec for exams for 2012
onwards so would not appear in future
� post-mortem examinations
� scanning techniques.
(10 marks)
January 2010
1 (a) What do humanistic psychologists mean by conditions of worth? Suggest how a parent might place
conditions of worth on his or her child.(2 marks)
1 (b) (i) Outline what is meant by evolution.(2 marks)
1 (b) (ii) Explain how one human or non-human behaviour may have resulted from the process of evolution
(2 marks)
1 (c) (i) Post-mortem examinations of the brain have been used to study cortical specialisation. Explain how
post-mortem examinations have helped us to understand cortical specialisation.(2 marks)
1 (c) (ii) Briefly explain one other method used to investigate cortical specialisation in the brain.(2 marks)
1 (d) Describe and evaluate the behaviourist approach in psychology.(10 marks)
June 2010
1 (a) Humanistic psychologists have claimed that all individuals can achieve self-actualisation.
1 (a) (i) Explain what is meant by self-actualisation. (2 marks)
1 (a) (ii) Explain one problem with the concept of self-actualisation.(2 marks)
1 (b) Cognitive psychologists often propose models of mental processes.
1 (b) (i) Identify one model used by cognitive psychologists.(1 mark)
1 (b) (ii) Outline one reason why cognitive psychologists use models of mental processes.(2 marks)
1 (c) (i) What do psychodynamic psychologists mean by a defence mechanism? (1 mark)
1 (c) (ii) Name and outline one defence mechanism. (2 marks)
1 (d) Discuss the behaviourist approach in psychology. Refer to classical conditioning and operant
conditioning in your answer. (10 marks)
January 2011
1 (a) (i) What do social learning theorists mean by mediating cognitive factors? (1 mark)
1 (a) (ii) Suggest one methodological problem that might arise when investigating mediating cognitive
factors.(1 mark)
1 (b) Name one of Freud’s psychosexual stages of development. Explain how an adult might demonstrate
one behaviour associated with this stage of development.(3 marks)
1 (c) Derek and David are identical twins. The twins were separated at birth and raised in very different
families. Derek was given a healthy diet. David was raised in a poor environment where his family could not
afford much food. When the twins were re-united at 40 years old, Derek was tall but David was much
shorter.
Distinguish between the terms genotype and phenotype. Refer to Derek and David in your answer. (5
marks)
1 (d) Describe the behaviourist approach in psychology and evaluate the research methods used by
behaviourist psychologists.(10 marks)
June 2011
1 (a) Below is a diagram of a motor neuron with structures that are labelled A, B and C.
Write the name of each of these structures in the boxes provided.
A=
B=
C=
(3 marks)
1 (c) Explain two limitations of the humanistic approach in psychology. (4 marks)
1 (d) Describe and evaluate the social learning theory approach in psychology. Refer to
evidence in your answer. (10 marks)
January 2012
1 (a) Using an example, explain what is meant by the fight or flight response.(3 marks)
1 (b) Discuss one strength or limitation of PET scans as a way of identifying areas of cortical
specialisation in the brain (3 marks)
1 (c) Explain two strengths of the behaviourist approach in psychology. (4 marks)
1 (d) Describe the humanistic approach in psychology and discuss differences between this approach and
the psychodynamic approach.(10 marks)
January 2012
1 (a) Using an example, explain what is meant by the fight or flight response.(3 marks)
1 (b) Discuss one strength or limitation of PET scans as a way of identifying areas of cortical specialisation
in the brain (3 marks)
1 (c) Explain two strengths of the behaviourist approach in psychology. (4 marks)
1 (d) Describe the humanistic approach in psychology and discuss differences between this approach and
the psychodynamic approach.(10 marks)
June 2012
1 (a) Psychologists have identified many areas of cortical specialisation in the brain.
These include:
A the motor centre
B the auditory centre
C the visual centre
D the somatosensory centre.
Below is a diagram of the human brain. Identify three areas of cortical specialisation by writing A, B, C or D
in each of the boxes that are provided. Use a different letter for each box.
1 (b) Briefly evaluate the use of EEGs as a way of identifying cortical specialisation in the brain (3 marks)
1 (c) Emily very much wanted to pass her ballet examination, but after she failed the examination she did
not seem upset.
Suggest one defence mechanism and use your knowledge of this defence mechanism to explain why
Emily was not upset after failing her ballet examination (2 marks)
1 (d) Outline one limitation of the psychodynamic approach. (2 marks)
1 (e) Describe and evaluate the humanistic approach in psychology. (10 marks)