QUESTIONS AND ESSAY PLANS
1. “Children today spend more time watching television than on any other single leisure
activity. In fact, studies have shown that the average child spends more time in front of
the television than in school” (Clarke & Kurte-Coastes, 1997).
With particular reference to attitude change, discuss the influence of television on both
children and adults. (25 marks)
Paragraphs 1 and 2
It is useful to start with research into the effect of television on attitudes, emphasising the possible reasons
for the effect (e.g. that it engages two sensory modalities whilst most media sources only use one, and so
on). Dijkstra, Buijtels, and van Raaij (2005), Worchel, Andreoli, and Eason (1975), Chaiken and Eagly
(1983), and Slater, Rouner, and Long (2006) are all useful studies—two per paragraph. Conclude this
section by saying how this research demonstrates that many factors have to be taken account of when
assessing the influence of TV on attitude change.
Paragraphs 3
Now we move on to the theories. Describe cultivation theory in this paragraph.
Paragraphs 4 and 5
Evaluate this theory in two sections. In paragraph 4, consider the supporting evidence. Complete the
positive evaluation by mentioning that it does look at long-term effects.
In paragraph 5 cover the negative aspects of the theory (that most supporting research is correlational; that
the theory is descriptive not explanatory, and so on).
Paragraph 6
Describe an alternative theory: agenda setting and priming.
Paragraphs 7 and 8
As before, cover the positive aspects of the theory in paragraph 7 (using mainly the supporting evidence).
In paragraph 8 cover the criticisms of it.
Paragraph 9
Conclude by selecting any comments from the “So What Does This Mean?” section that are relevant to the
effect of television on attitude change. You could return to the quotation to emphasise the importance of
such research given the huge amount of time that is spent watching television.
2. Discuss research into the effect of video games on young people. (25 marks)
Remember the mark allocation (10 AO1 and 15 AO2) and write accordingly.
Paragraph 1 Introduction
Introduce the essay with a brief statement to the effect that most research and theory has concentrated on
the effects of violent video games, so you will mainly cover this. A good starting point is Anderson and
Dill’s (2000) general aggression model, which should be described in this paragraph.
Paragraph 2
Go on to mention what the model says happens when aggressive people play a violent video game—it
reinforces watchfulness for enemies, etc.
Paragraph 3
Time for some AO2—mention the findings of Anderson and Bushman (2001), which support the model.
Paragraph 4
Now mention other effects of video games (reinforcing certain stereotypes, etc.) This should be fairly brief
as there is a lot more to get through.
Paragraph 5
Since research counts as AO2 (as long as you present it as supporting/contradicting an argument or theory),
cover some of the other research—particularly useful is Bushman and Anderson (2002), because you can
introduce the hostile expectation bias, and Ferguson (2007), because it a meta-analysis and also covers
recent research. Cover the other 2007 studies as well since they all have interesting and relevant findings
and can be mentioned very briefly.
Paragraph 6
Evaluate the research. Emphasise the positive aspect that the research has significant findings and mention
some of them.
Paragraph 7
Now cover the limitations of the research—artificiality, short-term effects, ethics, and so on.
Paragraph 8
If you have time (but only if—keep your eye on the clock), conclude by saying that the research is
important since many youngsters (and some older people) spend a good deal of time playing video games,
many of which are very violent and contain negative stereotypes. However, the answers are not simple.
One factor that always needs to be taken into consideration is the large degree of individual differences
there are in the effects these games have on people.
3. (a) Describe one theory that seeks to explain the attraction of celebrity. (10 marks)
(b) Evaluate one theory that seeks to explain the attraction of celebrity. (15 marks)
You have a choice of either a social psychological explanation or an evolutionary explanation. Of course,
you can describe one theory and evaluate another but it probable that you will want to describe and
evaluate the same one. We will use evolutionary theory.
Part (a)
Paragraph 1 Introduction
Outline the basic premise of evolutionary theory in terms of celebrity attraction—that we are attracted to
celebrities with whom we would, if possible, choose to mate, in order to pass on our genes.
Paragraph 2
Our choice of mate is based on different criteria for men and women. Describe parental investment
theory—the idea that females need to be choosy and coy in selecting the ideal mate as they have to invest a
great deal in reproduction. So the type of celebrities they are attracted to are those with high status and lots
of money.
Males, on the other hand, invest far less and want to select a healthy child-bearing female as the mother of
their children. They don’t need to be too selective or monogamous. They are attracted to young and
beautiful female celebrities. And the more famous a celebrity becomes, the more sex partners they are
liable to have.
Part (b)
There is a lot of evaluation; make sure you organise it. Start with the positives, then cover the negatives in
two sections—the problems of the main theory and the problems with the more specific aspects of the
theory as they are applied to celebrity admiration.
Paragraph 1
Positive elements include the evidence in favour: Townsend, Kline, and Wasserman (1995), Townsend and
Wasserman (1997), Waynforth and Dunbar (1995), Anderson et al. (1992). Be careful to emphasise why
the findings support the theory.
Paragraph 2
Question the general premise of the theory. First, it has little predictive value and does not constitute a
scientific theory. Second, that mate selection and the passing on of genes are the basis of much human
behaviour—given the choice, people have small families.
Paragraph 3
Now question the specific aspects of the theory—that celebrity worship/admiration is based on mate
selection. There could be a host of social reasons why celebrities are worshipped, rather than them being a
representation of the “ideal” mate. It cannot predict who is chosen as a celebrity—not all celebrities fit the
criteria for a mate (many women admire female celebrities, etc.). Neither can it account for why the
majority of people are not attracted to celebrities. In addition, there are other explanations for the findings
and some findings do not support the theory.