Key Questions for Psychology
Topic Key Question AO1 Knowledge Evidence / Studies AO3 Evaluation Practical Link
(What is it?)
Cognitiv Is eyewitness Eyewitness Loftus & Palmer: Lab studies (Loftus) lack Supported by
e testimony testimony may be “smashed” vs “hit” ecological validity as memory research
reliable? unreliable because led to higher speed artificial tasks may not practical where
memory is estimates, showing reflect real crimes recall was
reconstructive. leading questions affected by word
distort recall Real-life studies (Yuille & type,
Bartlett proposed Cutshall) have higher demonstrating
that memory is Yuille & Cutshall: validity but lack control how memory can
reconstructed using witnesses to a real be distorted
schemas, meaning armed robbery through
Emotional arousal may interference
recall can be showed highly enhance memory in real
distorted through accurate recall even situations, suggesting
confabulation or 4–5 months later reliability depends on
rationalisation. context
Innocence Project:
Leading questions ~72% of wrongful Practical applications
can also distort convictions involve improve reliability (e.g.
memory during EWT cognitive interview
recall. reduces leading
questions)
High real-world
consequences shown by
wrongful convictions
Social How can Riots = loss of SIT: rioters formed in- High ecological validity Social practical:
social control, violence group (British (real riots) behaviour
psychology (e.g. UK summer identity), immigrants influenced by
reduce riots 2024). = out-group → SIT ignores individual social context
prejudice in chanting, hostility differences and group norms
riots? SIT (Tajfel): (obedience
categorisation → RCT: competition over study)
RCT only explains
identification → jobs/resources → prejudice when
comparison → in- blame immigrants → competition exists
group bias conflict
Hard to apply solutions in
RCT (Sherif): Stats: 600 arrests, real-time riots (high
prejudice from £250m damage, emotion)
competition for attacks on mosques
limited resources
(negative Application: superordinate
interdependence) goals (shared identity)
reduce prejudice
Media misinformation
(false asylum seeker
claim) increased prejudice
→ shows role of external
influences
Biologic What are the Aggression may be University of Texas Deterministic → removes Biological
al implications biologically tower shooting 1966 personal responsibility practical:
for society if determined (genes, (Charles Whitman): (ethical issue) correlation
aggression is brain, hormones) tumour near between
caused by amygdala linked to Can lead to pre-emptive testosterone (FQ
nature? Implications: aggression measures (labelling people ratio) and
reduced free will → as dangerous) aggression shows
behaviour seen as a MAOA gene: low biological factors
disorder not choice. activity + childhood may influence
Useful applications: behaviour
adversity → higher treatment (EEG, therapy,
Leads to treatment aggression risk medication) instead of
over punishment punishment
(e.g. biological Dabbs: more violent
Topic Key Question AO1 Knowledge Evidence / Studies AO3 Evaluation Practical Link
(What is it?)
Cognitiv Is eyewitness Eyewitness Loftus & Palmer: Lab studies (Loftus) lack Supported by
e testimony testimony may be “smashed” vs “hit” ecological validity as memory research
reliable? unreliable because led to higher speed artificial tasks may not practical where
memory is estimates, showing reflect real crimes recall was
reconstructive. leading questions affected by word
distort recall Real-life studies (Yuille & type,
Bartlett proposed Cutshall) have higher demonstrating
that memory is Yuille & Cutshall: validity but lack control how memory can
reconstructed using witnesses to a real be distorted
schemas, meaning armed robbery through
Emotional arousal may interference
recall can be showed highly enhance memory in real
distorted through accurate recall even situations, suggesting
confabulation or 4–5 months later reliability depends on
rationalisation. context
Innocence Project:
Leading questions ~72% of wrongful Practical applications
can also distort convictions involve improve reliability (e.g.
memory during EWT cognitive interview
recall. reduces leading
questions)
High real-world
consequences shown by
wrongful convictions
Social How can Riots = loss of SIT: rioters formed in- High ecological validity Social practical:
social control, violence group (British (real riots) behaviour
psychology (e.g. UK summer identity), immigrants influenced by
reduce riots 2024). = out-group → SIT ignores individual social context
prejudice in chanting, hostility differences and group norms
riots? SIT (Tajfel): (obedience
categorisation → RCT: competition over study)
RCT only explains
identification → jobs/resources → prejudice when
comparison → in- blame immigrants → competition exists
group bias conflict
Hard to apply solutions in
RCT (Sherif): Stats: 600 arrests, real-time riots (high
prejudice from £250m damage, emotion)
competition for attacks on mosques
limited resources
(negative Application: superordinate
interdependence) goals (shared identity)
reduce prejudice
Media misinformation
(false asylum seeker
claim) increased prejudice
→ shows role of external
influences
Biologic What are the Aggression may be University of Texas Deterministic → removes Biological
al implications biologically tower shooting 1966 personal responsibility practical:
for society if determined (genes, (Charles Whitman): (ethical issue) correlation
aggression is brain, hormones) tumour near between
caused by amygdala linked to Can lead to pre-emptive testosterone (FQ
nature? Implications: aggression measures (labelling people ratio) and
reduced free will → as dangerous) aggression shows
behaviour seen as a MAOA gene: low biological factors
disorder not choice. activity + childhood may influence
Useful applications: behaviour
adversity → higher treatment (EEG, therapy,
Leads to treatment aggression risk medication) instead of
over punishment punishment
(e.g. biological Dabbs: more violent
