Process
Eduqas A-Level Psychology A290QS
Biological Approach
Topic overviewAssumptions and evaluation of the approach: Evolutionary influences and Localisation of brain functionAssumptions and evaluation of the approach: Neurotransmitters and Weaknesses of the approachTherapy derived from the approach: Drug therapyTherapy derived from the approach: PsychosurgeryClassic research: the methodology and proceduresClassic research: the findings, conclusions and evaluationContemporary debate
Psychodynamic Approach
Topic overviewAssumptions and evaluation of the approach: Influence of childhood experiences and Unconscious mindAssumptions and evaluation of the approach: Tripartite personality and Weaknesses of the approachTherapy derived from the approach: Dream analysisTherapy derived from the approach: PsychodramaClassic research: Methodology and ProceduresClassic research: Findings and ConclusionsClassic research: Ethical issues and social implicationsContemporary debate: the mother as primary care-giver — the argumentsContemporary debate: the mother as primary care-giver — the evidence and conclusion
Behaviourist Approach
Topic overviewAssumptions and evaluation of the approach: Blank slate and Behaviour learnt through conditioningAssumptions and evaluation of the approach: Humans and animals learn in similar waysTherapy derived from the approach: Aversion therapyTherapy derived from the approach: Systematic desensitisationClassic research: Methodology and ProceduresClassic research: Findings and ConclusionsClassic research: Ethical issues and social implicationsContemporary debate: using conditioning to control children — the argumentsContemporary debate: using conditioning to control children — the evidence and conclusion
Cognitive Approach
Topic overviewAssumptions and evaluation of the approach: Computer analogy, Internal mental processes and SchemasAssumptions and evaluation of the approach: Strengths of the approach and Weaknesses of the approachTherapy derived from the approach: Cognitive behavioural therapyTherapy derived from the approach: Rational emotive behaviour therapyClassic research: Methodology and ProceduresClassic research: Findings and ConclusionsClassic research: Ethical issues and social implicationsContemporary debate: the reliability of eye-witness testimony — the argumentsContemporary debate: the reliability of eye-witness testimony — the evidence and conclusion
Positive Approach
Topic overviewAssumptions and evaluation of the approach: Acknowledgement of free will and Focus on 'the good life'Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Strengths of the approach and Weaknesses of the approachTherapy derived from the approach: MindfulnessTherapy derived from the approach: Quality of life therapyClassic research: Methodology and ProceduresClassic research: Findings and ConclusionsClassic research: Ethical issues and social implicationsContemporary debate: the relevance of positive psychology today — the argumentsContemporary debate: the relevance of positive psychology today — the evidence and conclusion
Comparing the Five Approaches
Core Studies in Social and Developmental Psychology
Topic overviewSocial psychology core study: Milgram (1963) — Method and procedure, ResultsSocial psychology core study: Milgram (1963) — Conclusions and Evaluation of the studyDevelopmental psychology core study: Kohlberg (1968) — Method and procedure, ResultsDevelopmental psychology core study: Kohlberg (1968) — Conclusions and Evaluation of the study
Planning Psychological Research
Topic overviewDeciding on a research question: Aim of the research and Independent variablesDeciding on a research question: Co-variables, Operationalisation of variables and Extraneous variablesMethodologies: Experiments, Participant observations and Non-participant observationsMethodologies: Content analysis, Structured interviews / questionnaires and Correlational studiesMethodologies: Case studies, Cross-sectional studies and Self-reportsLocation of researchParticipants and sampling: Target populations, Sampling frames and Opportunity samplingParticipants and sampling: Systematic sampling, Stratified sampling and Quota samplingParticipants and sampling: Self-selected samplingExperimental design
Data Handling, Statistics and Mathematical Skills
Topic overviewLevels of measurementGraphical representation: Frequency tables and Graphical representation (including line graphsGraphical representation: Distribution curves (including normal, positive and negative skewedDescriptive statistics: Measures of central tendencyDescriptive statistics: Measures of dispersion and Calculating from a set of resultsInferential statistics: Chi Square testInferential statistics: Mann Whitney U test and Critical values from tablesMathematical requirements (Appendix A): Standard form and unit conversionMathematical requirements (Appendix A): Calculations for statistical tests
Evaluating and Validating Research
Topic overviewReliabilityValidity: Internal validity, External validity and Specific validity issues (including researcher biasValidity: Ways of dealing with issues of validityEthics: Confidentiality and Risk to the participants’ valuesEthics: Valid consent and Managing the risk posed by ethical issues (including the use of ethicsThe role of the scientific community: Peer review and its purposes, Criticisms of peer reviewThe role of the scientific community: Sections of a psychological report
Personal Investigations and Novel Research Scenarios
Topic overviewPersonal investigations: applying — Hypotheses and variables, Methodology and experimental designPersonal investigations: applying research methods to first-hand investigations — SamplingPersonal investigations: applying research methods to first-hand investigations — Inferential statisticsApplication of research methods to a novel scenario
Addictive BehavioursAddictive
Topic overviewCharacteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosedCharacteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on societyBiological explanations: Addiction genes and Disease of the brainBiological explanations: DopamineIndividual differences explanations: Cognitive biases and Field dependenceIndividual differences explanations: Lang's addictive personality traitsSocial psychological explanations: Co-morbidity with mental and Peer pressureSocial psychological explanations: Role of the mediaMethods of modifying the behaviour: Agonist and antagonist substitutionMethods of modifying the behaviour: Aversion therapy
Autistic Spectrum BehavioursAutistic spectrum
Topic overviewCharacteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosedCharacteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on societyBiological explanations: Amygdala dysfunction and Chloride ions at birthBiological explanations: Genetic predispositionIndividual differences explanations: Gender differences and Theory of mindIndividual differences explanations: Weak central coherence theoryExtreme male brain and empathising-systemising theoriesThe refrigerator mother theory, and evaluationMethods of modifying the behaviour: Picture Exchange Communication SystemMethods of modifying the behaviour: Relationship Development InterventionMethods of modifying the behaviour
Bullying BehavioursBullying
Topic overviewCharacteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosedCharacteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on societyBiological explanations: Bullying genes and Evolved gender differencesBiological explanations: HormonesIndividual differences explanations: Cognitive biases and Narcissistic personalityIndividual differences explanations: Threatened egotism, narcissism and theory of mindSocial psychological explanations: Cultural differences and In-group / out-groupSocial psychological explanations: Moral disengagementMethods of modifying the behaviour: Creating A Peaceful School Learning EnvironmentMethods of modifying the behaviour: Olweus Bullying Prevention ProgrammeMethods of modifying the behaviour
Criminal BehavioursCriminal
Topic overviewCharacteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour isCharacteristics of the behaviour: How it is recognised and diagnosedBiological explanations: Disinhibition hypothesis and Inherited criminality personality theoryBiological explanations: Role of the amygdalaIndividual differences explanations: Eysenck's criminal personalityIndividual differences explanations: Intelligence factors and Psychopathic personalitySocial psychological explanations: Differential associationSocial psychological explanations: Gender socialisation and Normalisation theoryMethods of modifying the behaviour: Anger managementMethods of modifying the behaviour: Restorative justice
SchizophreniaSchizophrenia
Topic overviewCharacteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosedCharacteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on societyBiological explanations: Dopamine hypothesis and Enlarged ventriclesBiological explanations: Cannabis, genetics and the diathesis-stress modelIndividual differences explanations: Thought disorderIndividual differences explanations: Schizophrenogenic mother and Sex differencesSocial psychological explanations: Cultural normsSocial psychological explanations: Dysfunctional familiesSocial psychological explanations: Expressed emotionMethods of modifying the behaviour: Antipsychotic drugsMethods of modifying the behaviour: Cognitive behavioral therapy
StressStress
Topic overviewCharacteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosedCharacteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on societyBiological explanations: Adrenaline and Evolutionary adaptationBiological explanations: Stress genesIndividual differences explanations: Type A behaviour and hardinessIndividual differences explanations: Self-efficacySocial psychological explanations: Daily hassles and Life eventsSocial psychological explanations: Locus of control and control at workMethods of modifying the behaviour: Beta blockersMethods of modifying the behaviour: Stress inoculation training
Controversies in Psychology
Topic overviewCultural bias: Cross cultural studies and Difference or biasCultural bias: Ethnocentrism, Historical and social contextEthical costs of conducting research: Benefits to society and the economy, Individual participantsEthical costs of conducting research: Potentially negative consequences for societyThe use of non-human animals: Why animals are used, comparative psychology and ethologyThe use of non-human animals: Therapy, speciesism and the BPS GuidelinesScientific status of psychology: Features of science, Popper and KuhnScientific status of psychology: Methods, benefits and costs of being a scienceSexism: Gender difference or gender biasSexism: Heterosexism, Historical and social context, 'invisibility' of women in psychology
Addictive Behaviours
- 10 subtopics
- 30 things to know
- Component 3 Applications
- Addictive Behaviours, three of six studied
What Addictive Behaviours covers
Addictive Behaviours is one of six nominated behaviours on Component 3 of Eduqas Psychology, Psychology: Implications in the Real World, and learners study three of the six. 123 recall questions across 10 subtopics.
Where it is assessed
Component 3 Applications
Psychology: Implications in the Real World, three behaviours studied of six.
Check the Eduqas specification ↗The 10 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Characteristics of the behaviour: What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosedRecall questions on What the behaviour is, How it is recognised and diagnosed.Open →
- Characteristics of the behaviour: How common it is, Effects on the individual and on societyRecall questions on How common it is, Effects on the individual and on society.Open →
- Biological explanations: Addiction genes and Disease of the brainRecall questions on Addiction genes and Disease of the brain.Open →
- Biological explanations: DopamineRecall questions on Biological explanations: Dopamine.Open →
- Individual differences explanations: Cognitive biases and Field dependenceRecall questions on Cognitive biases and Field dependence.Open →
- Individual differences explanations: Lang's addictive personality traitsRecall questions on Individual differences explanations: Lang's addictive personality traits.Open →
- Social psychological explanations: Co-morbidity with mental and Peer pressureRecall questions on Co-morbidity with mental and Peer pressure.Open →
- Social psychological explanations: Role of the mediaRecall questions on Social psychological explanations: Role of the media.Open →
- Methods of modifying the behaviour: Agonist and antagonist substitutionRecall questions on Agonist substitution and antagonist substitution.Open →
- Methods of modifying the behaviour: Aversion therapyRecall questions on Methods of modifying the behaviour: Aversion therapy.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Why does the cognitive-bias explanation suit gambling better than heroin dependence?
Evaluation
Give one strength of social explanations over biological ones in accounting for falling UK smoking rates.
Key term
Name the six components Griffiths (2005) argues are present in any addiction.
Key term
Define tolerance as it applies to addictive behaviour.
Key term
DSM-5 replaced the older split between abuse and dependence with one diagnosis. What is it and how is its severity graded?
Key term
Into which four groups are the DSM-5 substance use disorder criteria usually organised?
Key term
Explain the logic that allows a twin study to separate genetic from environmental influence.
Key term
Name the pathway at the centre of the dopamine explanation and the two structures it connects.
Key term
Explain the causal problem with scans showing fewer D2 receptors in addicted people.
Key term
What is a cognitive bias in the context of addiction?
Key term
Define the gambler's fallacy.
Key term
Name four of the traits Lang identified as common among people with addictions.
Key term
What is meant by co-morbidity in addiction?
Key term
Give an example that fits the self-medication account.
Key term
How does social learning theory explain media effects on addiction?
Key term
Define an antagonist.
Key term
Name the agonist most widely used in opiate dependence and describe how it is given.
Key term
On which learning principle is aversion therapy based?
Key term
Identify the conditioned stimulus, unconditioned stimulus and conditioned response in chemical aversion therapy for alcohol.
Who and when
A regular gambler now has to stake ten times what they once did to feel the same excitement. Which component of addiction does this show?
Key term
Distinguish a substance addiction from a behavioural addiction.
Who and when
Which dopamine receptor gene variant did Blum et al. (1990) report as more frequent in people with severe alcoholism?
Who and when
What did Alexander's Rat Park studies suggest about a purely pharmacological account of addiction?
Key term
Explain the near-miss effect.
Key term
Which of Lang's traits best explains the difficulty of staying abstinent, and why?
Key term
Name three competing explanations for the co-occurrence of addiction and mental illness.
Key term
Why can media exposure not be a sufficient explanation of addiction?
Key term
How does nicotine replacement therapy follow the agonist principle?
Evaluation
What is covert sensitisation, and what is its main advantage over emetic aversion therapy?
Take Addictive Behaviours further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Tolerance vs Withdrawal
Tolerance: a falling effect from a constant dose. Withdrawal: the symptoms produced by removing the dose.
Gambler's fallacy vs Illusion of control
Gambler's fallacy: a false belief about the odds. Illusion of control: a false belief about one's own influence over them.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Name the six components Griffiths (2005) argues are present in any addiction.
Model answer
Salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict and relapse.
- 2
What does Griffiths mean by salience?
Model answer
The activity dominates the person's thinking, feelings and behaviour, so that even when they are not doing it they are preoccupied with the next opportunity.
- 3
What is mood modification in an addiction?
Model answer
The reliable shift in feeling the person gets from the behaviour, which may be a buzz of excitement or an escape into numbness, and which is the reason they return to it.
- 4
Define tolerance as it applies to addictive behaviour.
Model answer
Tolerance is the need for increasing amounts of a substance or activity to obtain the effect that a smaller amount once produced.
- 5
A regular gambler now has to stake ten times what they once did to feel the same excitement. Which component of addiction does this show?
Model answer
Tolerance, because the dose has had to rise to deliver the same mood modification.
- 6
Distinguish physical from psychological dependence.
Model answer
Physical dependence shows itself in bodily withdrawal symptoms when use stops, whereas psychological dependence is the compulsive craving and the conviction that one cannot cope without it.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Addictive Behaviours revision questions
- What does Addictive Behaviours cover in Eduqas A-Level Psychology?
- 10 subtopics: characteristics of the behaviour: what the behaviour is, how it is recognised and diagnosed, characteristics of the behaviour: how common it is, effects on the individual and on society, biological explanations: addiction genes and disease of the brain, biological explanations: dopamine, individual differences explanations: cognitive biases and field dependence, individual differences explanations: lang's addictive personality traits, social psychological explanations: co-morbidity with mental and peer pressure, social psychological explanations: role of the media, methods of modifying the behaviour: agonist and antagonist substitution and methods of modifying the behaviour: aversion therapy. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Addictive Behaviours organised?
- By the Eduqas A290QS specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Addictive Behaviours, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.