A researcher develops a theory of depression based entirely on data from male participants and then applies the findings to both men and women without further testing.

Which one of the following concepts best describes the problem with this theory?

A Universality
B Alpha bias
C Beta bias
D Cultural relativism

[1 mark]

Samira compares aggression scores in Japanese and British students. She interprets any differences in terms of “how all Asians behave” and assumes her own British culture is the standard against which others should be judged.

Which one of the following terms best describes Samira’s attitude?

A Cultural relativism
B Ethnocentrism
C Universality
D Emic approach

[1 mark]

A psychologist explains phobias by saying they are caused by unconscious conflicts originating in childhood.

Which one of the following types of determinism is being used?

A Biological determinism
B Environmental determinism
C Psychic determinism
D Soft determinism

[1 mark]

Which one of the following statements best defines holism in psychology?

A Explaining behaviour using only observable responses.
B Breaking behaviour down into its simplest parts.
C Explaining behaviour in terms of unconscious conflicts.
D Explaining behaviour as a whole experience rather than in separate parts.

[1 mark]

Two students are revising for an exam.

• Lena says that psychologists should focus on the unique experiences of each individual.

• Max says psychologists should look for general laws of behaviour that apply to everyone.

Which two of the following statements describe the idiographic approach? Shade two boxes only.

A It focuses on the uniqueness of individuals.
B It aims to establish general laws.
C It often uses case studies.
D It relies entirely on laboratory experiments.
E It always uses quantitative data.

[2 marks]

A researcher investigates the genetic basis of intelligence using DNA samples from newborn babies and later comparing their IQ scores at age 18.

Which two of the following concepts are most clearly illustrated by this research? Shade two boxes only.

A Nature
B Nurture
C Biological determinism
D Environmental determinism
E Psychic determinism

[2 marks]

A therapist tells a client, “You are responsible for your own choices and can change your behaviour if you decide to.”

Which one of the following issues or debates is being emphasised?

A Hard determinism
B Free will
C Psychic determinism
D Environmental determinism

[1 mark]

Which one of the following is an example of environmental (stimulus–response) reductionism?

A Explaining phobias in terms of faulty thinking patterns.
B Explaining phobias in terms of early psychosexual conflicts.
C Explaining phobias in terms of learned associations between a stimulus and fear.
D Explaining phobias in terms of abnormal serotonin levels.

[1 mark]

A government body wants to use findings from a large study on genetic markers for criminal behaviour to identify “high-risk” children in schools.

Which two of the following concerns are most closely related to social sensitivity? Shade two boxes only.

A The sample size used in the study.
B The possibility of stigmatising certain groups.
C The reliability of the questionnaire.
D The impact findings may have on educational policy.
E The choice between laboratory and field experiments.

[2 marks]

What is meant by soft determinism in psychology?

[2 marks]