AQA PSYCHOLOGY A LEVEL PAPER 1 MS 2026/2027
AQA EXAMINATION BOARD | 7182 SPECIFICATION
50 Questions with Complete Marking Scheme | A+ Graded
Question 1: Outline what is meant by ‘internalisation’ as a type of conformity. [2 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Limited/Basic outline. Example: "This is when you agree with a group
publicly and privately."
o 2 marks: Clear/Correct outline. Example: "Internalisation occurs when an
individual accepts the group's point of view as correct and changes their private
beliefs as well as public behaviour to match the group."
• Common Error: Confusing internalisation with identification (changing behaviour to fit a
role/group but not necessarily private belief).
• Examiner Tip: Ensure the distinction between public compliance and private acceptance
is made clear for full marks.
Question 2: Briefly explain ‘normative social influence’ as an explanation for conformity. [2
marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Basic explanation involving the desire to fit in.
o 2 marks: Clear explanation. Example: "Normative social influence is driven by
the desire to be liked and accepted by a group, leading an individual to conform to
avoid rejection or gain approval, even if they don't privately agree."
• Common Error: Confusing normative influence with informational influence (desire to be
right).
• Examiner Tip: Keywords to include: "Desire to be liked/accepted," "Social approval,"
"Avoid rejection."
,Question 3: Using an example, outline the role of ‘unanimity’ in Asch’s research on conformity.
[3 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Outline of unanimity (the group all agreeing).
o 1 mark: Outline of effect on conformity (conformity decreases when unanimity is
broken).
o 1 mark: Example/Elaboration. Example: "When the real participant had an ally (a
confederate giving the correct answer), conformity dropped significantly because
the pressure to conform was reduced."
• Common Error: Describing the procedure of Asch’s study in detail without focusing
specifically on the variable of unanimity.
• Examiner Tip: Focus on variables (group size, task difficulty, unanimity) rather than just
the line-judging task procedure.
Question 4: Outline one ethical issue with Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment. [2 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Identification of issue (e.g., lack of protection from psychological harm).
o 2 marks: Elaboration. Example: "Participants suffered psychological harm, such
as emotional breakdowns and extreme stress, and were not effectively protected
by the researchers, who acted as prison wardens."
• Common Error: Listing "lack of informed consent" without explaining how it applied
(participants didn't know they would be arrested at home).
• Examiner Tip: Be specific. "Protection from harm" is the heading; the description of the
prisoner's distress is the explanation.
Question 5: Explain the ‘agentic state’ as an explanation for obedience. [3 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Definition of agentic state (seeing oneself as an agent of authority).
o 1 mark: Contrast with autonomous state.
o 1 mark: Mechanism (moral strain is reduced because the individual feels not
responsible).
• Exemplar Answer: "In the agentic state, individuals see themselves as merely carrying
out the orders of another person. They believe the authority figure holds the responsibility
, for their actions, which allows them to act against their moral code without feeling guilt
(moral strain)."
• Common Error: Failing to mention the shift of responsibility to the authority figure.
Question 6: Outline Adorno’s theory of the Authoritarian Personality. [4 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Reference to dispositional explanation (personality type).
o 1 mark: Characteristics (high respect for authority, submissiveness to superiors,
contempt for inferiors).
o 1 mark: Origins (strict parenting/harsh discipline).
o 1 mark: Measurement (F-Scale).
• Common Error: Describing obedience without linking it specifically to the personality
traits identified by Adorno.
• Examiner Tip: Mention the "F-Scale" to show specific knowledge of how this was
measured.
Question 7: Explain how social support helps people to resist social influence. [3 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Social support provides an ally.
o 1 mark: Conformity explanation (breaks unanimity).
o 1 mark: Obedience explanation (reduces legitimacy of authority/confidence).
• Exemplar Answer: "Social support allows individuals to resist conformity because the
presence of an ally breaks the unanimity of the majority, making it easier to be
independent. In obedience, the presence of a disobedient peer reduces the legitimacy of
the authority figure, giving the individual confidence to refuse."
Question 8: Outline two processes involved in minority influence. [4 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark each for identifying: Consistency, Commitment, Flexibility.
o 1 mark each for elaboration:
o Consistency: "The minority keeps the same message over time and
between individuals (synchronic/diachronic)."
AQA EXAMINATION BOARD | 7182 SPECIFICATION
50 Questions with Complete Marking Scheme | A+ Graded
Question 1: Outline what is meant by ‘internalisation’ as a type of conformity. [2 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Limited/Basic outline. Example: "This is when you agree with a group
publicly and privately."
o 2 marks: Clear/Correct outline. Example: "Internalisation occurs when an
individual accepts the group's point of view as correct and changes their private
beliefs as well as public behaviour to match the group."
• Common Error: Confusing internalisation with identification (changing behaviour to fit a
role/group but not necessarily private belief).
• Examiner Tip: Ensure the distinction between public compliance and private acceptance
is made clear for full marks.
Question 2: Briefly explain ‘normative social influence’ as an explanation for conformity. [2
marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Basic explanation involving the desire to fit in.
o 2 marks: Clear explanation. Example: "Normative social influence is driven by
the desire to be liked and accepted by a group, leading an individual to conform to
avoid rejection or gain approval, even if they don't privately agree."
• Common Error: Confusing normative influence with informational influence (desire to be
right).
• Examiner Tip: Keywords to include: "Desire to be liked/accepted," "Social approval,"
"Avoid rejection."
,Question 3: Using an example, outline the role of ‘unanimity’ in Asch’s research on conformity.
[3 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Outline of unanimity (the group all agreeing).
o 1 mark: Outline of effect on conformity (conformity decreases when unanimity is
broken).
o 1 mark: Example/Elaboration. Example: "When the real participant had an ally (a
confederate giving the correct answer), conformity dropped significantly because
the pressure to conform was reduced."
• Common Error: Describing the procedure of Asch’s study in detail without focusing
specifically on the variable of unanimity.
• Examiner Tip: Focus on variables (group size, task difficulty, unanimity) rather than just
the line-judging task procedure.
Question 4: Outline one ethical issue with Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment. [2 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Identification of issue (e.g., lack of protection from psychological harm).
o 2 marks: Elaboration. Example: "Participants suffered psychological harm, such
as emotional breakdowns and extreme stress, and were not effectively protected
by the researchers, who acted as prison wardens."
• Common Error: Listing "lack of informed consent" without explaining how it applied
(participants didn't know they would be arrested at home).
• Examiner Tip: Be specific. "Protection from harm" is the heading; the description of the
prisoner's distress is the explanation.
Question 5: Explain the ‘agentic state’ as an explanation for obedience. [3 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Definition of agentic state (seeing oneself as an agent of authority).
o 1 mark: Contrast with autonomous state.
o 1 mark: Mechanism (moral strain is reduced because the individual feels not
responsible).
• Exemplar Answer: "In the agentic state, individuals see themselves as merely carrying
out the orders of another person. They believe the authority figure holds the responsibility
, for their actions, which allows them to act against their moral code without feeling guilt
(moral strain)."
• Common Error: Failing to mention the shift of responsibility to the authority figure.
Question 6: Outline Adorno’s theory of the Authoritarian Personality. [4 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Reference to dispositional explanation (personality type).
o 1 mark: Characteristics (high respect for authority, submissiveness to superiors,
contempt for inferiors).
o 1 mark: Origins (strict parenting/harsh discipline).
o 1 mark: Measurement (F-Scale).
• Common Error: Describing obedience without linking it specifically to the personality
traits identified by Adorno.
• Examiner Tip: Mention the "F-Scale" to show specific knowledge of how this was
measured.
Question 7: Explain how social support helps people to resist social influence. [3 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark: Social support provides an ally.
o 1 mark: Conformity explanation (breaks unanimity).
o 1 mark: Obedience explanation (reduces legitimacy of authority/confidence).
• Exemplar Answer: "Social support allows individuals to resist conformity because the
presence of an ally breaks the unanimity of the majority, making it easier to be
independent. In obedience, the presence of a disobedient peer reduces the legitimacy of
the authority figure, giving the individual confidence to refuse."
Question 8: Outline two processes involved in minority influence. [4 marks]
• Mark Scheme:
o 1 mark each for identifying: Consistency, Commitment, Flexibility.
o 1 mark each for elaboration:
o Consistency: "The minority keeps the same message over time and
between individuals (synchronic/diachronic)."
