Psychology 9990/42 May/June 2021: question paper and mark scheme
Cambridge AS & A Level Psychology (9990), Paper 4 Specialist Options: Application, May/June 2021. Read both free below, or download them. Done the paper? Get it marked by AI against this mark scheme.
Three comments about electro-convulsive therapy (ECT):
‘It was the best thing that my wife could have had at that time; a good decision by the doctors after drugs had failed.’
‘It was a positive experience; worked well for my schizophrenia.’
‘I was able to go home after five months of inpatient stay as a result of ECT, after years of unsuccessful psychological treatment.’
(a) Outline the procedure of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). [2]
(b) (i) Outline one biochemical treatment for schizophrenia. [2]
(ii) Give one advantage of this biochemical treatment for schizophrenia. [2]
(c) Outline two psychological treatments for schizophrenia. [4]
(d) Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of ECT as a treatment for schizophrenia. You should include a conclusion in your answer. [5]
Psychology and consumer behaviour
Mark scheme
1 Three comments about electro-convulsive therapy (ECT):
‘It was the best thing that my wife could have had at that time; a good
decision by the doctors after drugs had failed.’
‘It was a positive experience; worked well for my schizophrenia.’
‘I was able to go home after five months of inpatient stay as a result of
ECT, after years of unsuccessful psychological treatment.’
1(a) Outline the procedure of electro-convulsive therapy (ECT). 2
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
• Muscle relaxant given
• Electricity applied bilaterally or unilaterally
• Patient convulses/has seizures (twitches because of muscle relaxant)
• Patient is unconscious, then wakes and recovers.
• Applied once or twice a week for several weeks.
Marks: 1 mark for each correct point to 2 max.
1(b)(i) Outline one biochemical treatment for schizophrenia. [2] 2
Most likely answer
Biochemical: the giving of drugs/prescribed medication. Drugs such as:
• antipsychotics/neuroleptics e.g. chlorpromazine
• atypical antipsychotics block dopamine receptors
• ‘third generation’ e.g. aripiprazole
Marks: 1 mark basic answer (‘giving drugs/identified brand name/identified
type’ all 1 mark, but two identifications does not = 2 marks) 2 marks detailed
answer/elaboration/example (how these drugs work or ‘generations’).
NB: also credit side effects, such as TDK as elaboration.
1(b)(ii) Give one advantage of this biochemical treatment for schizophrenia. 2
• Drugs are effective. They work, they reduce symptoms of
schizophrenia.
• Use of drugs can help to restore the ‘chemical balance’
• Drugs can be given on a fixed schedule (by the patient or by therapist)
• Drugs require very little effort by the patient (are ‘quick’ and ‘easy’, they
just swallow a pill) unlike non-chemical therapies
• Drugs are cost effective (0 mark) but if explained e.g. ‘compared to
ECT, or CBT’ (2 marks)
Marks: 1 mark basic answer (basic advantage), 2 marks detail/elaboration/
example
Note: if identify ‘time and cost’ = 0 marks, but if explained, then 2 marks.
1(c) Outline two psychological treatments for schizophrenia. 4
Most likely answer
• token economy (Paul and Lentz, 1977) use of operant conditioning
(desirable behaviours positively reinforced) using a token. Behaviours
such as self-care, attending therapy and engaging socially. Tokens later
exchanged for clothing, TV use, sweets and cigarettes.
• cognitive-behavioural therapy (Sensky et al., 2000) compared CBT
group with control, randomly allocated. 90 patients aged 16–60
received average of 19 sessions. CBT = engaging with patient,
discussing disorder, symptoms and challenged beliefs about voices.
Marks: 1 mark basic answer (CBT is a ‘talking therapy’), 2 marks detail/
elaboration/example ×2
1(d) Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of ECT as a treatment for 5
schizophrenia. You should include a conclusion in your answer.
Marks: 1 mark for each strength/weakness (however basic/detailed) which
is related/linked to the question (max 4 marks). 1 mark for conclusion.
Conclusion: any appropriate conclusion drawn from the discussion that has
been presented. 1 mark if appropriate. A conclusion is a ‘decision reached
by reasoning’ and so a summary of points already made scores 0 marks.
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
Strengths:
• It is a medical treatment, prescribed by and applied by medical doctors
• It is necessary for patients where all other medications have not worked
• It successfully treats many patients both with schizophrenia and
depression
Weaknesses:
• How ECT works still isn’t known
• ECT can be given to a person to treat schizophrenia without their
consent in some countries (person is not ‘of sound mind’)
• ECT has side-effects, both long and short term: loss of memory
(temporary or worse), aspects of short-term or long-term memory. In
people with other conditions it may affect the central nervous system
and cardiovascular system.
Note: do not credit ethics. This is not a study where ethics applies. It is real
life, where ECT can be given without consent (‘not of sound mind’ etc.)
Newspaper headline: Your brain goes shopping.
You go shopping and you see a product. By the time you decided to buy it, some brain regions already knew what you were buying and how much it cost. These brain regions are the neural predictors of purchases, studied by Knutson et al. (2007).
(a) Identify two brain regions Knutson et al. found to be predictors of purchases. [2]
(b) Outline the novel ‘SHOP’ task used when each participant had their brain scanned. [4]
(c) (i) Suggest one reason why the findings of this study can be generalised. [2]
(ii) Suggest one reason why the findings of this study cannot be generalised. [2]
(d) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using brain scans to gather data about consumer decision-making. You should include a conclusion in your answer. [5]
Psychology and health
Mark scheme
2 Newspaper headline: Your brain goes shopping.
You go shopping and you see a product. By the time you decided to
buy it, some brain regions already knew what you were buying and
how much it cost. These brain regions are the neural predictors of
purchases, studied by Knutson et al. (2007).
2(a) Identify two brain regions Knutson et al. found to be predictors of 2
purchases.
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited): Quoting
study
• product preference activated the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), while
excessive prices activated the insula and deactivated the mesial
prefrontal cortex (MPFC) prior to the purchase
Marks: 1 mark for identification e.g. accumbens/NAcc ×2.
Note: ‘prefrontal cortex’ 0 marks or any similarly general brain region.
2(b) Outline the novel 'SHOP' task used when each participant had their 4
brain scanned.
Definitive answer (Quoting study)
• the novel SHOP (‘Save Holdings Or Purchase’) task, consisted of a
series of trials of identical temporal structure, in which subjects could
purchase products.
• Subjects saw a labelled product (4 secs), saw the product’s price
(4 secs), and then chose either to purchase the product or not (by
selecting either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ presented randomly on the right or left side
of the screen; (4 secs), before fixating on a crosshair (2 secs) prior to
the onset of the next trial.
Marks: 1 mark basic answer, 2 marks detailed answer/elaboration or use of
example.
2(c)(i) Suggest one reason why the findings of this study can be generalised. 2
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
• The brain regions activated by the task, the NAcc, insula and MPFC,
will be the same brain regions activated in every participant whatever
their culture.
• People judge the quality of product and price whatever it is and
wherever they are.
• Data (findings) is objective; fMRI scanners were used.
• Brain is physiological same in all people (1 mark) all people have NAcc,
insula and MPFC (2 marks)
Marks: 1 mark for reason, 2 marks linked to study.
Note: allow wide interpretation of ‘findings’. ‘Large sample’ = 0 marks
2(c)(ii) Suggest one reason why the findings of this study cannot generalised. 2
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
• Judging products and price would differ from culture to culture
• The products used in the Knutson et al. study might not be available in
all cultures.
• All participants were right-handed. What about left-handed people?
• Shopping is a real-world task; shopping in a scanner/laboratory is not.
Note: ‘Only 26 subjects’ is not correct because the brain region activated will
be the same/is physiological. Where the study was conducted/sample from
also no credit unless full justification.
Marks: 1 mark basic answer, 2 marks linked to study
Note: allow wide interpretation of ‘findings’
2(d) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using brain scans to 5
gather data about consumer decision-making. You should include a
conclusion in your answer.
Marks: 1 mark for each advantage/disadvantage (however basic/detailed)
which is related/linked to the question (max 4 marks). 1 mark for
conclusion.
Conclusion: any appropriate conclusion drawn from the discussion that has
been presented. 1 mark if appropriate. A conclusion is a ‘decision reached
by reasoning’ and so a summary of points already made scores 0 marks.
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited, such as
eye movement patterns):
Advantages
• Scans are scientific, producing objective data about consumer decision-
making
• Scans can tell us exactly what part of the brain is responsible for what
(the NAcc, insula and the MPFC)
• Brain function is the same in everyone, a cultural universal.
Disadvantages
• Brain scans usually lack ecological validity: tasks done in a scanner
rather than real world.
• Tasks are usually simple and exclude all the other factors that
contribute to a sale: retail ambience; sales techniques etc. They are
reductionist.
• Scans involve anxiety because of unknown procedure which are not
usually part of shopping.
The UAB pain behaviour scale
This pain scale is administered by an observer of a person who is experiencing pain. One of the categories used by the observer is shown in Fig. 3.1.
Name:
Rater:
DATE: M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S
1. Vocal Complaints: Verbal None 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Occasional ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½
Frequent 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Fig. 3.1 An extract from a version of the UAB scale
(a) Identify two categories included in the UAB scale, other than ‘vocal complaints: verbal’. [2]
(b) (i) Explain what makes the UAB scale in Fig. 3.1 a longitudinal measure. [2]
(ii) Explain the usefulness of a longitudinal measure in relation to pain. [2]
(c) Suggest two ways in which pain can be assessed using a self-report questionnaire. [4]
(d) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pain measures that are observed independently of the person who is experiencing the pain. You should include a conclusion in your answer.
[5]
Psychology and organisations
Mark scheme
3 This pain scale is administered by an observer of a person who is
experiencing pain. One of the categories used by the observer is
shown in Fig. 3.1.
Fig. 3.1 An extract from a version of the UAB scale
3(a)(i) Identify two categories included in the UAB scale, other than ‘vocal 2
complaints: verbal’.
Definitive answers (from study):
• non-verbal vocal (0 marks) non-verbal vocal complaints (1 mark) or with
groans moans gasps etc. (1 mark)
• down time (time spent lying down because of pain per day from 8 AM to
8 PM)
• facial expressions (0 marks) facial grimaces or similar (1 mark)
• standing posture (1 mark) but ‘body posture’ (0 marks)
• mobility (0 marks) but ‘moves to try to reduce pain’, or ‘relaxes a limb’
(1 mark)
• body language (0 marks) with example e.g. clutching rubbing site
(1 mark)
• use of visible support equipment (braces crutches cane leaning on
furniture TENS etc.)
• stationary movement (ability to stay still)
• medication use/needed
Marks: 1 mark for correct identification ×2
Note: don’t credit ‘general responses’ unless they are listed above. ‘facial
expression’ = 0; body posture = 0
3(b)(i) Explain what makes the UAB scale in Fig. 3.1 a longitudinal measure. 2
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
• chronic pain is recorded over a period of time and tracks the pain
change (or not) for an individual for up to three weeks (another sheet
can be used for longer periods).
• Stimulus has measure: ‘days of the week / three weeks’ which can be
credited
Marks: 1 mark basic (e.g. tracks pain over time; administered over time)
2 marks elaboration (e.g. it is chronic pain; pain in same individual; some
aspect of UAB included)
3(b)(ii) Explain the usefulness of a longitudinal measure in relation to pain. 2
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
• can see improvement (or not) in treatment (1 mark); that the patient is
recovering (1 mark) which would not be possible with any other
measure unless the measure was repeated (e.g. give MPQ on two
different occasions) (+1 mark); any appropriate example in relation to
pain (+ 1 mark)
Marks: 1 mark basic answer, 2 marks detailed answer/elaboration, or use of
example.
Note: Q is ‘a longitudinal measure’ so other measures are creditworthy. 0
marks for anecdotal.
3(c) Suggest two ways in which pain can be assessed using a self-report 4
questionnaire.
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
• self-report assessment questionnaire (clinical interview)
• psychometric measures (McGill pain questionnaire MPQ)
• psychometric measures (paediatric pain questionnaire PPQ)
Marks: 1 mark basic answer (identification e.g. MPQ), 2 marks detail/
elaboration/example.
Note: 1 mark max for Wong-Baker ‘faces’ scale and any visual rating scale
because not strictly questionnaires but are self-report measures.
Note: ‘anecdotal’ questionnaires can receive full credit, but only 1 mark if
visual rating type.
3(d) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of pain measures that are 5
observed independently of the person who is experiencing the pain.
You should include a conclusion in your answer.
Marks: 1 mark for each advantage/disadvantage (however basic/detailed)
which is related/linked to the question (max 4 marks). 1 mark for
conclusion.
Conclusion: any appropriate conclusion drawn from the discussion that has
been presented. 1 mark if appropriate. A conclusion is a ‘decision reached
by reasoning’ and so a summary of points already made scores 0 marks.
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
Advantages
• Person observing will be a medical specialist
• Person observing will observe many people (an expert in pain
observation)
• Person observing will know categories and apply them consistently and
objectively
Disadvantages
• Person observing is not experiencing the pain of the person being
observed.
• Person observing does not ask the person experiencing pain about their
pain
• Observations are done without the person’s knowledge
Heifetz (1997) proposes a ‘modern’ theory of adaptive leadership, and suggests that ‘getting on the balcony’ to see the whole organisation is more effective than seeing a specific part of one work process.
Fig. 4.1 ‘getting on the balcony’
(a) Explain one principle from adaptive leadership, other than ‘getting on the balcony’. [2]
(b) (i) Explain what is meant by the reductionism versus holism debate. [2]
(ii) Suggest how adaptive leadership shows holism rather than reductionism. [2]
(c) Suggest two ways in which adaptive leadership differs from ‘traditional’ leadership. [4]
(d) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of adaptive leadership. You should include a conclusion in your answer. [5]
Section B
You must answer one question from this section.
Psychology and abnormality
Mark scheme
4 Heifetz (1997) proposes a ‘modern’ theory of adaptive leadership, and
suggests that ‘getting on the balcony’ to see the whole organisation is
more effective than seeing a specific part of one work process.
Fig. 4.1 ‘getting on the balcony’
4(a) Explain one principle from adaptive leadership, other than ‘getting on 2
the balcony’.
Definitive answer:
Adaptive leadership is the practice of mobilising people to tackle tough
challenges and thrive. It is about organisational change.
The six principles are:
• Successful adaptation builds on the past
• Adaptive leadership is specifically about change that enables the
capacity to thrive
• Adaptation occurs through experimentation
• Adaptation relies on diversity
• New adaptations significantly displace, reregulate, and rearrange.
• Adaptation takes time
In addition, an alternative five can be credited:
• Identify the challenge
• Regulate distress
• Maintain disciplined action
• Give work back to employees
• Protect leadership voices from below
Marks: 1 mark basic answer (identification of one of above), 2 marks
detailed answer/elaboration/example.
4(b)(i) Explain what is meant by the reductionism versus holism debate. 2
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
Reductionism: explaining complex psychological phenomena by reducing
them to component parts.
Holism: taking into account all the components; the whole is greater than the
sum of the parts.
Marks: 1 marks for reductionism (basic) and 1 mark for holism (basic).
4(b)(ii) Suggest how adaptive leadership shows holism rather than 2
reductionism.
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
Being holist is ‘taking time on the balcony’. Quote:
‘Heifetz highlights the importance of spending time on the balcony as well as
on the dance floor.
This is about getting perspective: who is dancing with whom, what are the
patterns to the dance. It is about learning from a broader, birds‐eye
perspective. In complex adaptive challenges we easily get caught up in
frenetic activity on the dance floor, lose critical perspective and miss things.
Often the more pressing and complex a situation the less likely we are to
take time out on the balcony, concentrating rather on feverish activity to try
to change things. Yet the more complex a problem, the more critical is
balcony time.’
Marks: 1 mark basic answer (considering how all the parts work together),
2 marks detailed answer/elaboration/example (getting on the balcony to
‘see the whole’)
4(c) Suggest two ways in which adaptive leadership differs from 4
'traditional' leadership.
Note: ‘Traditional’ leadership includes universalist and behavioural theories
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
• Traditional: authority figure giving orders.
Adaptive: helping workers to change and adapt.
• Traditional: maintains traditions.
Adaptive: removes traditions. Emphasis is on change.
• Traditional: uses skills workers already have.
Adaptive: workers learn new skills to adapt.
• Traditional: uses long-established solutions to problems.
Adaptive: tries new solutions
• Traditional: useful in times of certainty.
Adaptive: useful in times of uncertainty
Marks: 1–2 marks for each answer ×2. Answer must have both sides to
score both marks. ‘If adaptive is given correctly (1 mark) then ‘traditional is
different’ scores 0 marks because there is nothing to say how it is different.
4(d) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of adaptive leadership. 5
You should include a conclusion in your answer.
Marks: 1 mark for each advantage/disadvantage (however basic/detailed)
which is related/linked to the question (max 4 marks). 1 mark for
conclusion.
Conclusion: any appropriate conclusion drawn from the discussion that has
been presented. 1 mark if appropriate. A conclusion is a ‘decision reached
by reasoning’ and so a summary of points already made scores 0 marks.
Most likely answer (other appropriate responses to be credited):
Advantages
• Adaptive leadership is about adapting to changing economic conditions
and if the leader can do this, the organisation survives and thrives. If it
does not adapt it may ‘go out of business’.
• Adaptive leadership involves considering the future rather than ‘the here
and now’.
• Adaptive leadership involves both reductionist and holist viewpoints
• Adaptive leadership involves everyone – workers need to change in the
same direction as the organisation
Disadvantages
• Workers may not be able to change/adapt; they may not have the skills
required for the change and become redundant
• Workers may experience distress. It can’t be avoided (but it can be
managed)
• The leader must be adaptive. If not, then the organisation may not
survive. How it is known whether a leader is adaptive or not; possesses
the relevant skills and abilities.
Section B
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
(a) Design a study to test gender differences in effectiveness of CBT administered by telephone for OCD. [10]
(b) Explain the psychological and methodological evidence on which your study is based. [8]
Psychology and consumer behaviour
Mark scheme
5(a) Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) can be used to treat obsessive- 10
compulsive disorder (OCD).
Design a study to test gender differences in effectiveness of CBT
administered by telephone for OCD.
Marks: use generic levels of response Design a study question part (a).
Additional: Candidates should design the study showing evidence of
design features appropriate to the named method. The named method: any
appropriate method.
Specific features:
• Experiments: type, IV, DV, controls, experimental design.
• Observations: type, setting, response categories, sampling frame,
number of observers.
• Questionnaires/Interviews: type, setting, example questions.
Scoring/rating scale, analysis of responses.
General features of research methodology: sampling technique and
sample, type of data, ethics, reliability, validity, data analysis.
5(b) Explain the psychological and methodological evidence on which your 8
study is based.
Candidates are expected to explain the reasons for the suggested design in
part (a). Explanation should be both psychological and methodological.
Psychological to include appropriate theory or research.
Marks: use generic levels of response ‘Design a study’ question part (b).
‘Psychological’ = 4 marks; ‘methodological’ = 4 marks
If only methodological or psychological explanation is provided max 5
marks
If ‘psychological’ described and not related to part (a) max 2 marks.
Syllabus: psychological: cognitive (Lovell et al., 2006) and exposure and
response prevention (Lehmkuhl et al., 2008)
Psychological:
Lovell et al. (2006) compared the effectiveness of CBT face-to-face with
CBT given over the telephone. The conclusion was that there was no
difference in effectiveness. However, there may have been an age
difference that was not explored. NB: Lovell used BDI.
Methodological: explanation of method using general and specific features
as above.
There are several ways to close a sale, including reciprocity and authority.
(a) Design a study to investigate which is the most successful way to close a sale when selling a computer. [10]
(b) Explain the psychological and methodological evidence on which your study is based. [8]
Psychology and health
Mark scheme
6(a) There are several ways to close a sale, including reciprocity and 10
authority.
Design a study to investigate which is the most successful way to
close a sale when selling a computer.
Marks: use generic levels of response Design a study question part (a).
Additional: Candidates should design the study showing evidence of
design features appropriate to the named method. The named method: any
appropriate method.
Specific features:
• Experiments: type, IV, DV, controls, experimental design.
• Observations: type, setting, response categories, sampling frame,
number of observers.
• Questionnaires/Interviews: type, setting, example questions.
Scoring/rating scale, analysis of responses.
General features of research methodology: sampling technique and
sample, type of data, ethics, reliability, validity, data analysis.
6(b) Explain the psychological and methodological evidence on which your 8
study is based.
Candidates are expected to explain the reasons for the suggested design in
part (a). Explanation should be both psychological and methodological.
Psychological to include appropriate theory or research.
Marks: use generic levels of response ‘Design a study’ question part (b).
‘Psychological’ = 4 marks; ‘methodological’ = 4 marks
If only methodological or psychological explanation is provided max 5
marks
If ‘psychological’ described and not related to part (a) max 2 marks.
Syllabus: ways to close a sale
Psychological:
Cialdini (1984) suggests there are six strategies:
Reciprocity: I’ll give you something (for free) if you give me something (the
sale)
Commitment and consistency: get the buyer to make a small commitment
and they may make a large one.
Liking: if people like the salesperson, the store, the image etc, they are more
likely to buy.
Authority: a product sold by an ‘expert’ is more likely to be bought.
Social proof: positive reviews may lead a person to buy.
Scarcity and urgency: if it is ‘the last one’ people are more likely to buy.
Methodological: explanation of method using general and specific features
as above.
The style of a practitioner’s clothing, the way they dress, can influence what patients think of them.
(a) Design a study gathering qualitative data to investigate why patients prefer one practitioner style of dress to another. [10]
(b) Explain the psychological and methodological evidence on which your study is based. [8]
Psychology and organisations
Mark scheme
7(a) The style of a practitioner’s clothing, the way they dress, can influence 10
what patients think of them.
Design a study gathering qualitative data to investigate why patients
prefer one practitioner style of dress to another.
Marks: use generic levels of response Design a study question part (a).
Additional: Candidates should design the study showing evidence of
design features appropriate to the named method. The named method:
must include qualitative data.
Specific features:
• Experiments: type, IV, DV, controls, experimental design.
• Observations: type, setting, response categories, sampling frame,
number of observers.
• Questionnaires/Interviews: type, setting, example questions.
Scoring/rating scale, analysis of responses.
General features of research methodology: sampling technique and
sample, type of data, ethics, reliability, validity, data analysis.
7(b) Explain the psychological and methodological evidence on which your 8
study is based.
Candidates are expected to explain the reasons for the suggested design in
part (a). Explanation should be both psychological and methodological.
Psychological to include appropriate theory or research.
Marks: use generic levels of response ‘Design a study’ question part (b).
‘Psychological’ = 4 marks; ‘methodological’ = 4 marks
If only methodological or psychological explanation is provided max 5
marks
If ‘psychological’ described and not related to part (a) max 2 marks.
Syllabus: non-verbal communications (McKinstry and Wang, 1991)
Psychological:
Study by (McKinstry and Wang, 1991) on patient satisfaction determined by
style of dress of practitioner.
Methodological: explanation of method using general and specific features
as above.
A machine in your factory has been sabotaged. You know who is responsible and want to find the reason for this unacceptable behaviour.
(a) Design a study using an interview to investigate the reason for sabotaging the machine. [10]
(b) Explain the psychological and methodological evidence on which your study is based. [8]
Section C
You must answer one question from this section.
Psychology and abnormality
Mark scheme
8(a) A machine in your factory has been sabotaged. You know who is 10
responsible and want to find the reason for this unacceptable
behaviour.
Design a study using an interview to investigate the reason for
sabotaging the machine.
Marks: use generic levels of response ‘Design a study’ question part (a).
Additional: Candidates should design the study showing evidence of
design features appropriate to the named method. The named method:
interview.
Typical features:
• Questionnaires/Interviews: type, setting, example questions.
Scoring/rating scale, analysis of responses.
Typical features of research methodology: sampling technique and
sample, type of data, ethics, reliability, validity, data analysis.
8(b) Explain the psychological and methodological evidence on which your 8
study is based.
Candidates are expected to explain the reasons for the suggested design in
part (a). Explanation should be both psychological and methodological.
Psychological to include appropriate theory or research.
Marks: use generic levels of response ‘Design a study’ question part (b).
‘Psychological’ = 4 marks; ‘methodological’ = 4 marks
If only methodological or psychological explanation is provided max 5
marks
If ‘psychological’ described and not related to part (a) max 2 marks.
Syllabus: workplace sabotage (Giacalone and Rosenfeld, 1987)
Psychological:
There are many reasons. Giacalone and Rosenfeld provide eleven: Self-
defence, Revenge, An eye for an eye, Protect oneself from boss/company,
To protect one's job, The foreman/company deserved it, The
foreman/company hurt me previously, No one was hurt by the action,
Release of frustrations, Just for fun/laughs.
Other reasons are also possible: slowing down or easing the work process,
dishonesty, causing chaos or attempting to assert control.
Methodological: explanation of method using general and specific features
as above.
Section C
‘Even though Charles was just one child, Rapoport’s case study of Charles’ obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be generalised to everyone.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of research you have studied to support your answer. [12]
Psychology and consumer behaviour
10 ‘The findings of experiments of consumer behaviour using eye-tracking have no value because they lack ecological validity.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of research you have studied to support your answer. [12]
Psychology and health
Mark scheme
9 ‘Even though Charles was just one child, Rapoport’s case study of 12
Charles’ obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be generalised to
everyone.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of
research you have studied to support your answer.
Marks: use generic levels of response in table C.
Syllabus: examples and case studies (‘Charles’ by Rappaport,1989)
Most likely (any other appropriate responses should be credited):
Can be generalised:
• Washing behaviour is a common type of OCD
• The rituals associated with washing behaviour are common in others.
• Comorbidity associated with OCD applies in others.
• Treatments undergone with Charles can apply to others
Cannot be generalised:
• People are different and what applies to many people will not apply to
all.
• Rituals will occur, but they will be different.
• Charles was a child and what he can do/not do will be different in an
adults (who has to work, for example).
10 ‘The findings of experiments of consumer behaviour using eye- 12
tracking have no value because they lack ecological validity.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of
research you have studied to support your answer.
Marks: use generic levels of response in table C.
Syllabus: attention and shelf position (Atalay et al., 2012)
Most likely (any other appropriate responses should be credited):
For:
• Eye tracking is scientific equipment which is reliable.
• Data recorded is objective: where the person looks is clear and
unambiguous.
• Data is quantitative and so comparisons can be made between
participants and between studies.
• It provides immediate feedback.
• It is easy to use requiring no training.
Against:
• Participants can choose to look in whatever direction they wish – they
know their eve movements are being tracked.
• There may be cultural differences in where people are socialised to
look.
• Data is where the participant has looked but it does not provide an
explanation of why that person has looked in a particular direction.
• Eye tracking is reductionist – product purchase isn’t just based on
vision; for some products smell and touch may be important.
• It cannot be used with every participant, people with contact lenses or
with long eye lashes
• Eye movement may be subconscious and difficult to control at all times.
Data may not be accurate
‘If there is any doubt about making a correct diagnosis, a medical practitioner should always decide that an ill person is healthy.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of research you have studied to support your answer. [12]
Psychology and organisations
12 ‘Organisational commitment can be measured simply by looking at attendance and absenteeism.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of research you have studied to support your answer. [12]
Mark scheme
11 ‘If there is any doubt about making a correct diagnosis, a medical 12
practitioner should always decide that an ill person is healthy.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of
research you have studied to support your answer.
Marks: use generic levels of response in table C.
Syllabus: practitioner diagnosis: type I and type II errors
Most likely (any other appropriate responses should be credited):
Note: lots of debate about type 1 and type 2 errors and which is which,
hence not included in question. Whichever way round a candidate has them,
credit should be received.
For:
• It is better to be ‘safe than sorry’
• More tests can confirm whether the person is ill or not
• If diagnosed as ill the healthy person may take medication (but won’t do
any harm)
• Being safe prevents a wrong diagnosis, which can be bad for the
patient and bad for the practitioner.
Against:
• This is an error and errors should not be made. Medical practitioners
should get it right.
• Assuming illness means the person might be treated for no reason,
which could be costly.
• If a practitioner gets it wrong the patient might die or sue the practitioner
for negligence.
12 ‘Organisational commitment can be measured simply by looking at 12
attendance and absenteeism.’
To what extent do you agree with this statement? Use examples of
research you have studied to support your answer.
Marks: use generic levels of response in table C.
Syllabus: measuring organisational commitment (Mowday et al., 1979);
absenteeism (Blau and Boal, 1987)
Most likely (any other appropriate responses should be credited):
Can:
• High attendance is an indicator of organisational commitment
• Low attendance/absenteeism is an indication of a lack of commitment.
• Normative absenteeism shows a predictable pattern and low
organisational commitment
• Calculative absenteeism means the worker ‘takes advantage’ and is
absent the maximum number of days before sanctions can be applied
(low organisational commitment)
Cannot:
• Absenteeism may be for other reasons, such as medical or family
reasons
• Absenteeism statistics do not give a reason for the absence.
• There are many more things that a worker can offer to show
commitment: amount of non-paid overtime; willingness to help – more
than just attending.
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Where can I find the 9990/42 May/June 2021 mark scheme?+
On this page, free: the mark scheme for AS & A Level Psychology 9990/42, May/June 2021 (9990_s21_ms_42), and the question paper (9990_s21_qp_42), to read or download, with each question's marking points written out underneath.
How many marks is 9990/42 out of?+
Psychology 9990/42 for May/June 2021 is out of 60 marks, with 1 hour 30 minutes to answer it.
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