AQA PSYCHOLOGY A LEVEL PAPER 2 MS 2026/2027
AQA EXAMINATION BOARD | 7182 SPECIFICATION
45 Questions with Complete Marking Scheme | A+ Graded
Q1. Outline Wundt’s role in the development of psychology as a science. [4 marks] Marking
Scheme:
• AO1 (4 marks):
o 1 mark for a limited outline (e.g., Wundt set up the first psychology lab).
o 2-3 marks for a clear outline (e.g., Wundt established the first experimental
psychology lab in Leipzig, 1879, marking the separation of psychology from
philosophy).
o 4 marks for a detailed outline (e.g., as above, plus he promoted the use of
controlled experimental methods to study the structure of the mind, specifically
introspection. He believed consciousness could be broken down into constituent
parts without losing the essential quality of the whole).
Q2. Describe the behaviorist approach in psychology. Refer to classical conditioning in your
answer. [4 marks] Marking Scheme:
• AO1 (4 marks):
o 1 mark: Behaviorists believe all behavior is learned from the environment.
o 2 marks: Psychology should be scientific and objective, studying only observable
behavior.
o 3-4 marks: Clear description of classical conditioning (Pavlov). Learning through
association. An unconditioned stimulus (UCS) produces an unconditioned
response (UCR). Through pairing with a neutral stimulus (NS), the NS becomes a
conditioned stimulus (CS) producing a conditioned response (CR).
Q3. Outline Skinner’s research into operant conditioning. [4 marks] Marking Scheme:
• AO1 (4 marks):
, o 1 mark: Skinner used animals (rats/pigeons) in controlled conditions.
o 2 marks: Use of the "Skinner Box".
o 3-4 marks: Detailed outline of reinforcement. Positive reinforcement (receiving a
reward, e.g., food pellet, encourages behavior repetition). Negative
reinforcement (avoiding an unpleasant stimulus, e.g., pressing a lever to stop a
noise, also encourages behavior repetition). Punishment stops behavior.
Q4. Explain the Social Learning Theory approach to understanding behavior. [6 marks] Marking
Scheme:
• AO1 (6 marks):
o Mediational processes (2 marks): Attention, retention, motor reproduction,
motivation.
o Observational learning/Modeling (2 marks): Learning occurs through observing
the behavior of others (models) and the consequences of that behavior
(vicarious reinforcement).
o Identification (2 marks): Observers are more likely to imitate models who are
similar to them, role models, or high status.
Q5. Briefly evaluate the Social Learning Theory approach. [4 marks] Marking Scheme:
• AO3 (4 marks):
o Strength (2 marks): The approach acknowledges the role of cognitive factors
(mediational processes), unlike the behaviorist approach. This makes it a more
comprehensive explanation.
o Strength (2 marks): High research support (Bandura’s Bobo doll study) showing
children imitate aggressive models.
o Limitation (2 marks): Underestimates the influence of biological factors (e.g.,
genetic predispositions to aggression).
o Limitation (2 marks): Based on artificial lab studies (Bobo doll) which may lack
ecological validity.
Q6. Outline the cognitive approach in psychology. [4 marks] Marking Scheme:
• AO1 (4 marks):
o 1 mark: Focuses on internal mental processes.
AQA EXAMINATION BOARD | 7182 SPECIFICATION
45 Questions with Complete Marking Scheme | A+ Graded
Q1. Outline Wundt’s role in the development of psychology as a science. [4 marks] Marking
Scheme:
• AO1 (4 marks):
o 1 mark for a limited outline (e.g., Wundt set up the first psychology lab).
o 2-3 marks for a clear outline (e.g., Wundt established the first experimental
psychology lab in Leipzig, 1879, marking the separation of psychology from
philosophy).
o 4 marks for a detailed outline (e.g., as above, plus he promoted the use of
controlled experimental methods to study the structure of the mind, specifically
introspection. He believed consciousness could be broken down into constituent
parts without losing the essential quality of the whole).
Q2. Describe the behaviorist approach in psychology. Refer to classical conditioning in your
answer. [4 marks] Marking Scheme:
• AO1 (4 marks):
o 1 mark: Behaviorists believe all behavior is learned from the environment.
o 2 marks: Psychology should be scientific and objective, studying only observable
behavior.
o 3-4 marks: Clear description of classical conditioning (Pavlov). Learning through
association. An unconditioned stimulus (UCS) produces an unconditioned
response (UCR). Through pairing with a neutral stimulus (NS), the NS becomes a
conditioned stimulus (CS) producing a conditioned response (CR).
Q3. Outline Skinner’s research into operant conditioning. [4 marks] Marking Scheme:
• AO1 (4 marks):
, o 1 mark: Skinner used animals (rats/pigeons) in controlled conditions.
o 2 marks: Use of the "Skinner Box".
o 3-4 marks: Detailed outline of reinforcement. Positive reinforcement (receiving a
reward, e.g., food pellet, encourages behavior repetition). Negative
reinforcement (avoiding an unpleasant stimulus, e.g., pressing a lever to stop a
noise, also encourages behavior repetition). Punishment stops behavior.
Q4. Explain the Social Learning Theory approach to understanding behavior. [6 marks] Marking
Scheme:
• AO1 (6 marks):
o Mediational processes (2 marks): Attention, retention, motor reproduction,
motivation.
o Observational learning/Modeling (2 marks): Learning occurs through observing
the behavior of others (models) and the consequences of that behavior
(vicarious reinforcement).
o Identification (2 marks): Observers are more likely to imitate models who are
similar to them, role models, or high status.
Q5. Briefly evaluate the Social Learning Theory approach. [4 marks] Marking Scheme:
• AO3 (4 marks):
o Strength (2 marks): The approach acknowledges the role of cognitive factors
(mediational processes), unlike the behaviorist approach. This makes it a more
comprehensive explanation.
o Strength (2 marks): High research support (Bandura’s Bobo doll study) showing
children imitate aggressive models.
o Limitation (2 marks): Underestimates the influence of biological factors (e.g.,
genetic predispositions to aggression).
o Limitation (2 marks): Based on artificial lab studies (Bobo doll) which may lack
ecological validity.
Q6. Outline the cognitive approach in psychology. [4 marks] Marking Scheme:
• AO1 (4 marks):
o 1 mark: Focuses on internal mental processes.
