Psychology 9990/42 May/June 2026: question paper and mark scheme

Mark scheme

10(b)(i) Describe this psychological knowledge. 4 Syllabus: 2.4.3 buying the product. Deciding where to buy, including reasons for store choice and demographics such as age and gender, including a study, e.g. Sinha et al. (2002). Sinha et al. (2002) Note this is an example study so an alternative may be used. Reasons for visit: convenience, merchandise, ambience, service, referrals, previous patron. Types of stores included those selling groceries, clothing, books, music and cigarettes. 43 item Likert-style questionnaire as participants left various stores. Also asked three open questions with responses categorised into reasons (as above) for visiting store. Found: (i) males more likely to report convenience (40%) as a reason for store choice than females (30 per cent); (ii) males more likely to mention ambience; decisions made quickly, and less time spent in-store. (iii) Females more likely to report merchandise (40%) as a reason for store choice than males (30%); (iv) females more likely to mention previous patronage of the store; appeared to spend longer on the search stage of the decision-making process, considering alternatives. 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-B2DF1A4234 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 study. Candidates should explain how the psychological knowledge described in 10(b)(i) has informed their plan in part 10(a). For each feature: Marks Description 2 Suitable answer that relates to 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 10(b)(i); 1 mark for explanation appearing in 10(a) × 2. Example: Details from the study by Sinha et al. (or alternative study) such as reasons for visits (basis for fundamental interview question) and/or types of stores (details in 10(b)(i) above). Differences between males and females as reported by Sinha (see 10(b)(i) above), e.g. Sinha found males go for convenience (basis for interview question). 10(c)(i) Explain one reason for your choice of location for your study. 2 Candidates must use the location stated in 10(a). Award 2 marks: reason is given and applied to the plan. Award 1 mark: reason is given without being applied to the plan. Examples: • Inside a store with reason (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark) • Outside a store with reason (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark) • In a laboratory with reason (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark) • Other location with reason (1 mark); related to study (+ 1 mark). 10(c)(ii) Explain one weakness with your choice of location. 2 Candidates must use the location stated in 10(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. Examples: • In a store there might be too many shoppers (crowding); related to study (+ 1 mark). • In a store there might be other extraneous variables such as lighting, store design etc. (1 mark); related to study (+ 1 mark). • Outside a store there might be extraneous variables, e.g. weather / temperature / people in a hurry (1 mark); related to study (+ 1 mark). Trace ID: PC-B2DF1A4234 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)(iii) Explain one reason for your choice of question format. 2 Candidates must use the question format stated in 10(a). Award 2 marks: reason is given and applied to the plan. Award 1 mark: reason is given without being applied to the plan. Examples: Open questions: • The data gathered may be ‘rich’ and detailed (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). • Allows participants the opportunity to express a range of feelings and explain their behaviour (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). Closed questions: • Answers are in the same format for all participants (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). • Answers may be easy to score/analyse (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). • Relatively large numbers of participants can be questioned relatively quickly (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). Both closed and open: • Open and closed are used to gather both qualitative and quantitative data (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). Trace ID: PC-B2DF1A4234 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(a) Plan a study using a telephone interview to gather data about 10 differences in the way that men and women describe pain. 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 technique or face-to-face) • ethical guidelines • interview format (structured, • a procedure unstructured, semi-structured) • the location • question format (open and/or • type of data, analysis of data, closed) use of descriptive statistics • examples of questions • an aim or hypothesis • question scoring/interpretation (directional or non- • number of questions. directional)/null hypothesis • steps for making the study valid and reliable. Trace ID: PC-B2DF1A4234 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 Syllabus: 3.3.2 Measuring pain. Subjective measures including clinical interview. Answers are likely to include (other appropriate responses to be credited): Subjective measures: it is logical to ask a person in pain (in a clinical interview conducted by a practitioner) to describe their pain and find out all about it to help diagnose the cause of the pain. Note: psychometric measures and observations are not possible in a telephone interview. Types of pain: descriptions of acute and chronic pain likely along with examples of what is causing their pain. Questions from MPQ could be used, such as sensory questions (choose word to describe pain; what the pain feels like); affective (emotions and how pain makes them feel); evaluative (intensity of pain – words such as ‘mild’ to ‘excruciating’). 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. 11(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 11(b)(i) has informed their plan in part 11(a). For each feature: Marks Description 2 Suitable answer that relates to 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 11(b)(i); 1 mark for explanation appearing in 11(a) × 2. Examples: (i) subjective descriptions of acute and/or chronic pain (as in clinical interview), (ii) use of questions from the MPQ about ‘sensory’, ‘affective’ and ‘evaluative’ aspects of pain. Trace ID: PC-B2DF1A4234 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)(i) Explain one reason for your choice of question format. 2 Candidates must use the question format stated in 11(a). Award 2 marks: reason is given and applied to the plan. Award 1 mark: reason is given without being applied to the plan. Examples: Open questions: • The data gathered may be ‘rich’ and detailed (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). • 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 (+ 1 mark). • 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 (+ 1 mark). Both closed and open: • Open and closed are used to gather both qualitative and quantitative data (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). 11(c)(ii) Explain one strength of using a telephone interview in your study. 2 Candidates must use the telephone interview stated in 11(a). Award 2 marks: strength is given and applied to the plan. Award 1 mark: strength is given without being applied to the plan. Examples: • Telephone because the interview will be short and to the point (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). • Telephone because a much wider sample can be obtained; because there is no travelling involved by either interviewer or interviewee (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). • Telephone because the interviewee is in their own surroundings (at home?) and may feel more comfortable/relaxed when being interviewed (1 mark); related to plan (+ 1 mark). Trace ID: PC-B2DF1A4234 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)(iii) Explain one reason for the way you chose to analyse your data. 2 Candidates must use the analysis of data stated in 11(a). Award 2 marks: reason is given and applied to the plan. Award 1 mark: reason is given without being applied to the plan. Examples: • 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); related to study (+ 1 mark). • 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 (+ 1 mark). 12(a) Plan an experiment to investigate the effectiveness of performance 10 monitoring to reduce social loafing in employees. Your plan must include details about: • controls • dependent variable. 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): • type of experiment • sample and sampling technique • independent variable • ethical guidelines • dependent variable • a procedure • controls • the location • choice of experimental design • type(s) of data, analysis of data, • longitudinal studies/design use of descriptive statistics (tests/tasks, scoring, • an aim or hypothesis frequency/interval, contacting (directional or non- participants) directional)/null hypothesis • other appropriate features. • steps for making the study valid and reliable. Trace ID: PC-B2DF1A4234 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: 4.3.2 individual and group performance focusing on social facilitation and social loafing including definitions, drive theory and evaluation apprehension, social impact theory. Key study looking at concentration levels when being monitored: Claypoole and Szalma (2019). Focus on experiment 1, specifics of methodology for experiment 2 will not be needed. Answers are likely to include (other appropriate responses to be credited): Social facilitation is the improvement in performance on simple or well-learned tasks in the presence of others. Social inhibition is the decline in performance on complex or new tasks when being watched. Social loafing: people do not work as hard when in a group as when working alone. Social impact theory: the larger the group the more likely social loafing will occur. Claypoole and Szalma (2019) investigated electronic performance monitoring to see if it improved performance (and reduced social loafing). IV: EPM (webcam and video recorder) and no EPM. Independent measures design. DV: speed and accuracy to 20 critical signals in 24-minute period. 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-B2DF1A4234 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 experiment. Candidates should explain how the psychological knowledge described in 12(b)(i) has informed their plan in part 12(a). For each feature: Marks Description 2 Suitable answer that relates to 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 12(b)(i); 1 mark for explanation appearing in 12(a) × 2. Examples: various combinations can be used; (a) performance monitoring (compared with control) so (i) use of procedure from Claypoole & Szalma’s study such as use of webcam and video recorder, (b) application of social inhibition/facilitation with performance of simple/well learned tasks versus complex/new tasks, so (ii) use of knowledge of facilitation and inhibition. 12(c)(i) Explain one reason for your choice of controls. 2 Candidates must use the controls stated in 12(a). Award 2 marks: reason is given and applied to the plan. Award 1 mark: reason is given without being applied to the plan. Examples: • So that the study is valid; it is more likely that the DV has been caused by the IV (1 mark); applied to specific plan (+ 1 mark). • Situational variables are controlled, such as noise, temperature and lighting (1 mark); applied to specific plan (+ 1 mark). 12(c)(ii) Explain one weakness with your choice of type of experiment. 2 Candidates must use the type of experiment stated in 12(a). Award 2 marks: weakness is given and applied to the plan. Award 1 mark: weakness is given without being applied to the plan. Examples: • Laboratory experiments have low ecological validity and behaviour may be different from that in real life (1 mark); example from part (a) of plan (+ 1 mark). • Field experiments are perhaps more difficult to control but it is possible to have high levels of ecological validity (1 mark); example from part (a) of plan (+ 1 mark). Trace ID: PC-B2DF1A4234 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)(iii) Explain one reason for your choice of dependent variable. 2 Candidates must use the dependent stated in 12(a). Award 2 marks if an appropriate reason is given and justified. Explanation of why the specific DV was chosen (1 mark) related to study, i.e. operationalised DV (+ 1 mark). Award 1 mark if an appropriate reason is given but DV not operationalised. Examples: • It is to measure the effect or outcome of a study (1 mark). • It provides evidence to accept or reject a hypothesis (1 mark). • DV of specific plan in part (a) (should be fully operationalised) (+ 1 mark). Trace ID: PC-B2DF1A4234 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/