Psychology 9990/42 February/March 2026: question paper and mark scheme

Mark scheme

10(b)(i) Describe this psychological knowledge. 4 Syllabus: 2.3.1 Consumer decision-making. strategies of consumer decision- making focusing on explanations and examples of compensatory, non- compensatory and partially compensatory strategies including explanations and examples of each. Answers are likely to include (other appropriate responses to be credited): Study by Jedetski (2002) outlines compensatory decision strategies: an attractive or high value on one attribute can compensate for an unattractive or low value on another attribute. For example, attractive attributes (e.g. of coat quality) can compensate for unattractive attributes (e.g. high coat cost). non-compensatory decision strategies: consumers making choices consider attributes sequentially, and benefits on some attributes may not overbalance shortfalls on others. Three strategies apply: • lexicographic: if the first coat has high value attributes, there is no reason to look further. • satisficing: we select the first option that appears to meet the need (see above). • elimination by aspects: sets a cut-off value and any coat not meeting the desired value is eliminated. Partially compensatory strategies combine aspects of the above models. Note: do not allow del Campo et al who looked at choice heuristics (recognition versus ‘take-the-best’). Marks Description 3–4 The knowledge is appropriate. Relevant points are correctly described in good detail. 1–2 Basic points are identified with some elaboration and understanding. The answer lacks detail (a sentence or two). 0 No creditable response Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/ 10(b)(ii) Explain how you used two features of this psychological knowledge to 4 plan your experiment. Candidates should explain how the psychological knowledge described in (b)(i) has informed their plan in part (a). For each feature: Marks Description 2 Suitable answer that relates a feature and explains how the feature was used, expanded or modified to make it appropriate to the plan. The knowledge has clearly been applied to the plan. 1 Basic answer that identifies a feature 0 No creditable response Note: 1 mark for explanation of follow on from (b)i; 1 mark for explanation appearing in (a) ×2 Example: questionnaire (on which strategy) so questions should be about (i) compensatory and (ii) non-compensatory strategies (as outlined in (b)(i)). Also, can include strategies of satisficing, elimination by aspects or lexicographic. 10(c)(i) Explain one reason for your choice of question format. 2 Candidates must use the question format stated in (a) Award 2 marks: reason is given and applied to the plan Award 1 mark: reason is given without being applied to the plan Example: open questions: • the data gathered may be ‘rich’ and detailed (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) • it allows participants the opportunity to express a range of feelings and explain their behaviour (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) closed questions: • answers are in the same format for all participants (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) • answers may be easy to score/analyse (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) • relatively large numbers of participants can be questioned relatively quickly (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) both closed and open: open and closed are used to gather both qualitative and quantitative data (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/ 10(c)(ii) Explain one weakness of using an online questionnaire in your study. 2 Candidates must use the online questionnaire stated in (a). Award 2 marks: weakness is given and applied to the plan Award 1 mark: weakness is given without being applied to the plan Example • online means that the participant is perhaps more likely to drop-out without completing the questionnaire (right to withdraw) (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks). • online questionnaires can only be completed by those who have access to a computer/the internet which might restrict the representativeness of the sample (1 mark) related to study (2 marks) 10(c)(iii) Explain one reason for your choice of sample of participants. 2 Candidates must use the sample stated in (a). Award 2 marks: reason is given and applied to the plan Award 1 mark: reason is given without being applied to the plan Example: • the number of participants in my study was X because (reason given) (1 mark) and related (2 marks) • the sex/gender balance of participants in my study was X because (reason given) (1 mark) and related (2 marks) • the location participants were chosen from in my study was because (reason given) (1 mark) and related (2 marks) • the type of participants chosen to be in my study was because (reason given) (1 mark) and related (2 marks) • the age range of participants chosen to be in my study was because (reason given) (1 mark) and related (2 marks) Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/ Section B 11(a) Plan a study using a controlled observation to investigate the 10 effectiveness of mirror treatment for phantom limb pain. Your plan must include details about: • location of the study • behavioural categories. AO2 Use Table A: AO2 Application to mark candidate responses to this question. Credit both general features and specific features of the plan. The specific features of the plan The general features of the plan should include: should include (if appropriate): • structured or unstructured • sample and sampling • covert or overt technique • controlled or naturalistic • ethical guidelines • participant or non-participant • a procedure • number of observers (inter- • the location rater reliability) • type of data, analysis of data, • behavioural categories use of descriptive statistics • event or time sampling • an aim or hypothesis (directional or non- directional)/null hypothesis • steps for making the study valid and reliable Credit other elements of the plan as appropriate using the marking grid. Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/ 11(b) For one piece of psychological knowledge on which your plan is based:

Mark scheme

11(b)(i) Describe this psychological knowledge. 4 AO2 Syllabus: 3.3.1 Types and theories of pain. functions of pain; types of pain: acute and chronic pain. Focus on phantom limb pain and mirror treatment to include a case study, e.g. MacLachlan et al. (2004). Answers are likely to include (other appropriate responses to be credited): Mirror treatment involves the use of a mirror box. The patient moves the good limb and observes the reflection. As the patient sees the good hand/leg moving it appears as if the phantom limb is also moving. If there is no pain in the good limb, there is no pain in the phantom limb. Study by MacLachlan et al. (2004) could be mentioned. Quote ‘We present the first case study of the use of ‘mirror treatment’ in a person with a lower limb amputation who was reporting PLP at the time of treatment. During the intervention there was a significant reduction in his PLP, an increase in sense of motor control over the phantom and a change in aspects of the phantom limb that was experienced.’ Marks Description 3–4 The knowledge is appropriate. Relevant points are correctly described in good detail. 1–2 Basic points are identified with some elaboration and understanding. The answer lacks detail (a sentence or two). 0 No creditable response Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/ 11(b)(ii) Explain how you used two features of this psychological knowledge to 4 plan your study. AO2 Candidates should explain how the psychological knowledge described in (b)(i) has informed their plan in part (a). For each feature: Marks Description 2 Suitable answer that relates a feature and explains how the feature was used, expanded or modified to make it appropriate to the plan. The knowledge has clearly been applied to the plan. 1 Basic answer that identifies a feature 0 No creditable response Note: 1 mark for explanation of follow on from (b)i; 1 mark for explanation appearing in (a) ×2 Example: (i) details of mirror treatment itself (ii) reference to study by MacLachlan et al. Alternatively could include: Location of treatment: in participant’s home or in laboratory? Behavioural/observational measures of pain: (for example) a patient’s facial expressions ‘happy’/shows some discomfort/pain (grimaces). 11(c)(i) Explain one reason for your choice of location for the study. 2 AO2 Candidates must use the location stated in (a). Award 2 marks: reason is given and applied to the plan Award 1 mark: reason is given without being applied to the plan Example • location of a laboratory or hospital room because the environment can be controlled for the observation (1 mark) related to study (2 marks) • location of a home because this is where the person will be when practising treatment and it is natural for the participant (1 mark) related to study (2 marks) Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/ 11(c)(ii) Explain one weakness with your choice of location. 2 AO3 Candidates must use the location stated in (c)(i) Award 2 marks: weakness is given and applied to the plan Award 1 mark: weakness is given without being applied to the plan Example: • participants in a laboratory or hospital room are not in their natural environment (1 mark) and so will not be as relaxed or comfortable as following the procedure as they would in their own home (1 mark) related to study (2 marks) • participants being at home means that any study will be more difficult to set up especially if it is a covert observation (1 mark) and so any data gathered about the procedure might be less valid (2 marks) 11(c)(iii) Explain one reason for using behavioural categories in your study. 2 AO2 Candidates should use the choice of behavioural categories stated in (a). Award 2 marks if an appropriate reason is given and justified. Award 1 mark if an appropriate reason is given but not justified. Example: • behavioural categories were used because they could be agreed and defined before the observation started (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks). • behavioural categories were used because each observer would know exactly what they were looking for, reducing ambiguity and increasing inter-rater reliability (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks). Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/ Section B 12(a) Plan a study using a semi-structured interview to investigate which type 10 of bullying is most common in a food factory. Your plan must include details about: • question format • analysis of data. Use Table A: AO2 Application to mark candidate responses to this question. Credit both general features and specific features of the plan. The specific features of the plan The general features of the plan should include: should include (if appropriate): • interview technique (telephone • sample and sampling or face-to-face) technique • interview format (structured, • ethical guidelines unstructured, semi-structured). • a procedure • question format (open • the location and/or closed) • type(s) of data, analysis of • examples of questions data, use of descriptive • question scoring/interpretation statistics • number of questions • an aim or hypothesis (directional or non-directional)/ null hypothesis • steps for making the study valid and reliable Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/ 12(b) For one piece of psychological knowledge on which your plan is based:

Mark scheme

12(b)(i) Describe this psychological knowledge. 4 Syllabus: 4.3.3 Conflict at work. bullying at work; types, phases and causes, including a study, e.g. Einarsen (1999). Answers are likely to include (other appropriate responses to be credited): Einarsen (1999) believes there are five types of bullying behaviour at work: • work-related bullying which may involve a change of work tasks or making them difficult to perform. • social isolation. • personal attacks (or attacks on private life) by ridicule, insulting remarks, or gossip. • verbal threats including criticism, being yelled at or humiliated in public. • physical violence (or threats of violence). • ‘Among 137 Norwegian victims of bullying and harassment at work, social isolation and exclusion, devaluation of one's work and efforts, and exposure to teasing, insulting remarks and ridicule, were the most common’. Note: Question is types NOT causes or phases. Marks Description 3–4 The knowledge is appropriate. Relevant points are correctly described in good detail. 1–2 Basic points are identified with some elaboration and understanding. The answer lacks detail (a sentence or two). 0 No creditable response Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/ 12(b)(ii) Explain how you used two features of this psychological knowledge to 4 plan your study. Candidates should explain how the psychological knowledge described in (b)(i) has informed their plan in part (a). For each feature: Marks Description 2 Suitable answer that relates a feature and explains how the feature was used, expanded or modified to make it appropriate to the plan. The knowledge has clearly been applied to the plan. 1 Basic answer that identifies a feature 0 No creditable response Note: 1 mark for explanation of follow on from (b)(i); 1 mark for explanation appearing in (a) ×2 Example: Question is ‘which type of bullying’ so should include at least two types Choose from: (i) work-related (ii) social isolation OR verbal threat OR physical threat (including all five types will not be penalised). Questions for interview based on knowledge of these types. 12(c)(i) Explain one reason for your choice of question format. 2 Candidates must use the question format stated in (a). Award 2 marks: reason is given and applied to the plan Award 1 mark: reason is given without being applied to the plan Example: open questions: • the data gathered may be ‘rich’ and detailed (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) • it allows participants the opportunity to express a range of feelings and explain their behaviour (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) closed questions: • answers are in the same format for all participants (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) • answers may be easy to score/analyse (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) • relatively large numbers of participants can be questioned relatively quickly (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) both closed and open: • open and closed are used to gather both qualitative and quantitative data (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/ 12(c)(ii) Explain one weakness with your choice of question format. 2 Candidates must use the question format stated in (c)(i) Award 2 marks: weakness is given and applied to the plan Award 1 mark: weakness is given without being applied to the plan Open questions: • participants may not wish to express a range of feelings or explain their behaviour (1 mark) particularly if they feel that they have been tricked by the disrupt then reframe sales technique (2 marks). • Answers may be more difficult to analyse because it is quantitative data with no scale/fixed answers (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) Closed questions: • participants have no opportunity to express a range of feelings or explain their behaviour stating ‘yes’ for example, does not allow participants to explain how they feel (1 mark) about disrupt then reframe bring used on them (2 marks) • participants can only respond with the answer options they have which might be forced (4-point scale) or limited (5-point scale) (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) Both open and closed: • longer data analysis (e.g. recording and categorising open answers; use of judges/raters?) (1 mark) related to plan (2 marks) 12(c)(iii) Explain one reason for the way you chose to analyse your data. 2 Candidates must use the analysis of data stated in (a). Award 2 marks: reason is given and applied to the plan Award 1 mark: reason is given without being applied to the plan • as the data gathered is quantitative, the data can be analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean, median and mode (or scatter graph for correlation) (1 mark) related to study (2 marks) • as the data gathered is qualitative, the data gathered can be presented to raters/judges who will independently categorise the words so conclusions can be drawn from the data (1 mark) related to study (2 marks) Trace ID: PC-A916BF1E1A Re-uploading, mirroring or re-hosting this file on any other website or domain is unauthorised and traceable. Licensed for hosting on papacambridge.com only. PapaCambridge Downloaded from PapaCambridge - https://papacambridge.com/