Key term
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
Cognitive Approach
- 9 subtopics
- 27 things to know
- Component 1
What Cognitive Approach covers
Cognitive Approach is examined on Component 1 of Eduqas Psychology, Psychology: Past to Present. 106 recall questions across 9 subtopics.
The 9 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Computer analogy, Internal mental processes and SchemasRecall questions on Computer analogy, Internal mental processes and Schemas.Open →
- Assumptions and evaluation of the approach: Strengths of the approach and Weaknesses of the approachRecall questions on Strengths of the approach and Weaknesses of the approach.Open →
- Therapy derived from the approach: Cognitive behavioural therapyRecall questions on Therapy derived from the approach: Cognitive behavioural therapy.Open →
- Therapy derived from the approach: Rational emotive behaviour therapyRecall questions on Therapy derived from the approach: Rational emotive behaviour therapy.Open →
- Classic research: Methodology and ProceduresRecall questions on Methodology and Procedures.Open →
- Classic research: Findings and ConclusionsRecall questions on Findings and Conclusions.Open →
- Classic research: Ethical issues and social implicationsRecall questions on Ethical issues and social implications.Open →
- Contemporary debate: the reliability of eye-witness testimony — the argumentsRecall questions on Contemporary debate: the reliability of eye-witness testimony — the arguments.Open →
- Contemporary debate: the reliability of eye-witness testimony — the evidence and conclusionRecall questions on the reliability of eye-witness testimony — the evidence and conclusion.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
What is the purpose of the initial assessment in CBT?
Evaluation
Give an ethical strength of CBT.
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Name three ways a therapist can dispute an irrational belief.
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Explain the computer analogy.
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In the computer analogy, what corresponds to hardware and what to software?
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How does the cognitive approach explain stereotyping?
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How would the cognitive approach explain a young child insisting that certain toys are only for boys?
Numbers
Who developed rational emotive behaviour therapy?
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Who carried out the 1974 research on the effect of question wording on memory for a car accident?
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What was the aim of the research?
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Which verb produced the highest mean speed estimate, and which the lowest?
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Describe the sample and the film used in the second experiment.
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Why does recruiting participants from the researchers' own students raise an ethical question?
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Why is Loftus and Palmer's research on memory described as socially sensitive?
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What is the central question in the debate about eyewitness testimony?
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Explain what is meant by reconstructive memory.
Evaluation
Give one argument that eyewitness testimony is more reliable than laboratory studies suggest.
Key term
Which distinction helps explain why witnesses can be both accurate and inaccurate?
Numbers
Which memory model is built most directly on the computer analogy?
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Which field combines the cognitive approach with the study of the brain?
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What do D and E add to Ellis's extended model?
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Describe the sample in the first experiment.
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How were participants divided in the second experiment?
Numbers
Which real-world study challenges Loftus and Palmer's conclusions?
Key term
What is weapon focus, and what effect does it have?
Key term
Which interview technique is designed to improve the accuracy of witness recall?
Take Cognitive Approach further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
A schema vs A stereotype
A schema: a mental framework of knowledge built from experience that guides how new information is interpreted. A stereotype: a fixed and over-generalised belief about a group, applied to every member of it.
Cognitive behavioural therapy vs Rational emotive behaviour therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy: a structured therapy that identifies and tests unhelpful thoughts through evidence and behavioural experiments. Rational emotive behaviour therapy: a therapy built on the ABC model, in which the therapist forcefully disputes irrational beliefs.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
State the three assumptions of the cognitive approach.
Model answer
That the mind can be compared to a computer, that behaviour is explained by internal mental processes, and that knowledge is organised into schemas.
- 2
Explain the computer analogy.
Model answer
The mind is treated as an information processor that takes in input through the senses, encodes and stores it, processes it and produces an output in the form of behaviour.
- 3
In the computer analogy, what corresponds to hardware and what to software?
Model answer
The brain is the hardware and the mental processes running on it are the software.
- 4
Which memory model is built most directly on the computer analogy?
Model answer
The multi-store model of Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968), which represents memory as the flow of information between separate stores.
- 5
Which model replaced the single short-term store with a set of specialised components?
Model answer
The working memory model of Baddeley and Hitch (1974).
- 6
Why is computer modelling useful to cognitive psychologists?
Model answer
Building a working program that performs the task forces the theory to be stated precisely, and its output can then be compared with human performance to test the theory.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Cognitive Approach revision questions
- What does Cognitive Approach cover in Eduqas A-Level Psychology?
- 9 subtopics: assumptions and evaluation of the approach: computer analogy, internal mental processes and schemas, assumptions and evaluation of the approach: strengths of the approach and weaknesses of the approach, therapy derived from the approach: cognitive behavioural therapy, therapy derived from the approach: rational emotive behaviour therapy, classic research: methodology and procedures, classic research: findings and conclusions, classic research: ethical issues and social implications, contemporary debate: the reliability of eye-witness testimony — the arguments and contemporary debate: the reliability of eye-witness testimony — the evidence and conclusion. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Cognitive Approach organised?
- By the Eduqas A290QS specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Cognitive Approach, on a schedule.
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