AQA A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY 7182/3
PAPER 3 ISSUES AND OPTIONS IN
PSYCHOLOGY MARK SCHEME JUNE
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◍ Origins of Psychology.
Answer: Wundt founded first ever psychological lab in Germany in
1879.Aimed to document and describe the nature of human
consciousness.Developed introspection
◍ What components make up the central nervous system?.
Answer: the brain and spinal cord
◍ Introspection.
Answer: Involved recording own conscious thoughts.Aim was to break these
thoughts down into their constituent parts.Isolating the structure of
consciousness in this way is known as Structuralism
◍ Origins of psychology - Evaluation.
Answer: -Wundt's methods were unreliable: - non observable responses -
hard to reproduce-Introspection is inaccurate +Scientific approach - Brought
objective systematic methods-Lab studies produce low ecological results
◍ Assumption of the behaviourist approach.
Answer: Blank slateAll behavior is learnt other than survival
instinctsAnimals can be used in researchNo difference between man and
bruteRejection of introspectionReliant upon lab experiments to maintain
, control and objectivity2 forms of learning: classical and operant
conditioning.
◍ Classical conditioning.
Answer: Learning through associationPavlov research - dogs associate
sound of bell with food if bell is rung consistently before feeding.
◍ What is the function of the brain?.
Answer: - the brain is the centre of awareness- it controls perception and
motor control- it is responsible for regulating bodily processes and
maintaining homeostasis (e.g. maintaining temperature and hormone levels
based on information from the peripheral nervous system)
◍ Describe the divisions of the nervous system..
Answer: nan
◍ brain labelled.
Answer: nan
◍ What is the function of the spinal cord?.
Answer: Relays information between the brain and bodyCoordinates
reflexes via reflex arc (automatic responses)Transmits sensory signals from
body to brainSends motor commands from brain to muscles/glands
◍ What is the structure of the peripheral nervous system?.
Answer: - Made of sensory and motor neuronesPeripheral Nervous System
(PNS): outside the brain and spinal cordSomatic Nervous System: controls
voluntary movements; sensory & motor pathwaysAutonomic Nervous
System (ANS): controls involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate, digestion)->
Sympathetic Nervous System: "fight or flight"; increases
arousal->Parasympathetic Nervous System: "rest and digest"; calms the
body after arousal
◍ What is the function of the peripheral nervous system?.
Answer: Connects CNS to the body (limbs, organs, etc.)Transmits sensory
information from body to CNSCarries motor commands from CNS to
muscles/glandsControls voluntary movements (somatic nervous
, system)Regulates involuntary functions (autonomic nervous system: heart
rate, digestion)
◍ Classical conditioning procedure.
Answer: Before conditioning:Unconditioned stimulus (Food) =
unconditioned response (Salivation).Neutral stimulus (Bell) = no
conditioned response (No salivation).During conditioning: Neutral stimulus
(Bell) + Unconditioned stimulus (Food) = Unconditioned response
(Salivation).After Conditioning:Conditioned stimulus (Bell) = Conditioned
Response (Salivation)
◍ Operant conditioning.
Answer: Learning through consequencesSkinner (1953) suggested that
learning is an active process where humans and animals operate in their
environment.There are 3 types of consequences of behaviour: Positive
reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, punishment.
◍ The peripheral nervous system has two divisions, what are they?.
Answer: autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system
◍ Positive reinforcement.
Answer: Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is
performed.Example - Praise from a teacher for answering a question.
◍ Negative reinforcement.
Answer: Performance of a behaviour to avoid something
unpleasant.Example - Handing in homework to avoid being told off.
◍ What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?.
Answer: - Made of sensory and motor neurones- Regulates involuntary
functions (e.g., heart rate, breathing, digestion)- Maintains homeostasis
(internal balance)- Divided into two branches:Sympathetic Nervous System:
activates "fight or flight" response (increases heart rate, dilates
pupils)Parasympathetic Nervous System: triggers "rest and digest" response
(slows heart rate, promotes digestion)
◍ What is the role of the somatic nervous systems?.
, Answer: - Made of sensory and motor neurones- Voluntary body movement
and sensing external stimuli- It inputs from sense organs (5 senses) and
outputs to muscles, skin and joints by receiving a signal to respond to the
changes detected. Example: catching a ball-your eyes detect the ball moving
towards you, brain assesses info, then instructs the muscles of your arm to
reach out and catch the ball.
◍ Which division of the Peripheral Nervous System contains the sympathetic
and parasympathetic divisions?.
Answer: Autonomic
◍ What is the role of the sympathetic nervous systems?.
Answer: Made of motor neuronesActivates "fight or flight" response during
stress or dangerIncreases arousal: raises heart rate, blood pressure, and
breathing rateDilates pupils for better visionInhibits digestion to conserve
energyReleases adrenaline from adrenal glandsRedirects blood flow to
muscles
◍ What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous systems?.
Answer: Made of motor neuronesActivates "rest and digest" response after
stressReduces arousal: lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing
ratePromotes digestion: stimulates saliva, increases digestive enzyme
productionConserves energy: promotes relaxation and recoveryConstricts
pupilsEncourages waste elimination (e.g., bladder function)
◍ Describe the structure of a neuron..
Answer: Cell Body (Soma):Contains the nucleus and organellesIntegrates
incoming signalsDendrites:Branch-like structuresReceive signals from other
neurons or sensory receptorsAxon:Long, slender projectionTransmits
electrical impulses away from the cell bodyMyelin Sheath:Fatty layer
surrounding the axonIncreases speed of impulse transmission (saltatory
conduction)Formed by Schwann cells in the PNS; oligodendrocytes in the
CNSNode of Ranvier:Gaps in the myelin sheathFacilitates rapid signal
conductionAxon Terminals (Synaptic Boutons):End of the axon
branchesRelease neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons or
PAPER 3 ISSUES AND OPTIONS IN
PSYCHOLOGY MARK SCHEME JUNE
PRACTICE EXAMINATION 2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS GRADED
A+
◍ Origins of Psychology.
Answer: Wundt founded first ever psychological lab in Germany in
1879.Aimed to document and describe the nature of human
consciousness.Developed introspection
◍ What components make up the central nervous system?.
Answer: the brain and spinal cord
◍ Introspection.
Answer: Involved recording own conscious thoughts.Aim was to break these
thoughts down into their constituent parts.Isolating the structure of
consciousness in this way is known as Structuralism
◍ Origins of psychology - Evaluation.
Answer: -Wundt's methods were unreliable: - non observable responses -
hard to reproduce-Introspection is inaccurate +Scientific approach - Brought
objective systematic methods-Lab studies produce low ecological results
◍ Assumption of the behaviourist approach.
Answer: Blank slateAll behavior is learnt other than survival
instinctsAnimals can be used in researchNo difference between man and
bruteRejection of introspectionReliant upon lab experiments to maintain
, control and objectivity2 forms of learning: classical and operant
conditioning.
◍ Classical conditioning.
Answer: Learning through associationPavlov research - dogs associate
sound of bell with food if bell is rung consistently before feeding.
◍ What is the function of the brain?.
Answer: - the brain is the centre of awareness- it controls perception and
motor control- it is responsible for regulating bodily processes and
maintaining homeostasis (e.g. maintaining temperature and hormone levels
based on information from the peripheral nervous system)
◍ Describe the divisions of the nervous system..
Answer: nan
◍ brain labelled.
Answer: nan
◍ What is the function of the spinal cord?.
Answer: Relays information between the brain and bodyCoordinates
reflexes via reflex arc (automatic responses)Transmits sensory signals from
body to brainSends motor commands from brain to muscles/glands
◍ What is the structure of the peripheral nervous system?.
Answer: - Made of sensory and motor neuronesPeripheral Nervous System
(PNS): outside the brain and spinal cordSomatic Nervous System: controls
voluntary movements; sensory & motor pathwaysAutonomic Nervous
System (ANS): controls involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate, digestion)->
Sympathetic Nervous System: "fight or flight"; increases
arousal->Parasympathetic Nervous System: "rest and digest"; calms the
body after arousal
◍ What is the function of the peripheral nervous system?.
Answer: Connects CNS to the body (limbs, organs, etc.)Transmits sensory
information from body to CNSCarries motor commands from CNS to
muscles/glandsControls voluntary movements (somatic nervous
, system)Regulates involuntary functions (autonomic nervous system: heart
rate, digestion)
◍ Classical conditioning procedure.
Answer: Before conditioning:Unconditioned stimulus (Food) =
unconditioned response (Salivation).Neutral stimulus (Bell) = no
conditioned response (No salivation).During conditioning: Neutral stimulus
(Bell) + Unconditioned stimulus (Food) = Unconditioned response
(Salivation).After Conditioning:Conditioned stimulus (Bell) = Conditioned
Response (Salivation)
◍ Operant conditioning.
Answer: Learning through consequencesSkinner (1953) suggested that
learning is an active process where humans and animals operate in their
environment.There are 3 types of consequences of behaviour: Positive
reinforcement, Negative reinforcement, punishment.
◍ The peripheral nervous system has two divisions, what are they?.
Answer: autonomic nervous system and somatic nervous system
◍ Positive reinforcement.
Answer: Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is
performed.Example - Praise from a teacher for answering a question.
◍ Negative reinforcement.
Answer: Performance of a behaviour to avoid something
unpleasant.Example - Handing in homework to avoid being told off.
◍ What is the role of the autonomic nervous system?.
Answer: - Made of sensory and motor neurones- Regulates involuntary
functions (e.g., heart rate, breathing, digestion)- Maintains homeostasis
(internal balance)- Divided into two branches:Sympathetic Nervous System:
activates "fight or flight" response (increases heart rate, dilates
pupils)Parasympathetic Nervous System: triggers "rest and digest" response
(slows heart rate, promotes digestion)
◍ What is the role of the somatic nervous systems?.
, Answer: - Made of sensory and motor neurones- Voluntary body movement
and sensing external stimuli- It inputs from sense organs (5 senses) and
outputs to muscles, skin and joints by receiving a signal to respond to the
changes detected. Example: catching a ball-your eyes detect the ball moving
towards you, brain assesses info, then instructs the muscles of your arm to
reach out and catch the ball.
◍ Which division of the Peripheral Nervous System contains the sympathetic
and parasympathetic divisions?.
Answer: Autonomic
◍ What is the role of the sympathetic nervous systems?.
Answer: Made of motor neuronesActivates "fight or flight" response during
stress or dangerIncreases arousal: raises heart rate, blood pressure, and
breathing rateDilates pupils for better visionInhibits digestion to conserve
energyReleases adrenaline from adrenal glandsRedirects blood flow to
muscles
◍ What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous systems?.
Answer: Made of motor neuronesActivates "rest and digest" response after
stressReduces arousal: lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing
ratePromotes digestion: stimulates saliva, increases digestive enzyme
productionConserves energy: promotes relaxation and recoveryConstricts
pupilsEncourages waste elimination (e.g., bladder function)
◍ Describe the structure of a neuron..
Answer: Cell Body (Soma):Contains the nucleus and organellesIntegrates
incoming signalsDendrites:Branch-like structuresReceive signals from other
neurons or sensory receptorsAxon:Long, slender projectionTransmits
electrical impulses away from the cell bodyMyelin Sheath:Fatty layer
surrounding the axonIncreases speed of impulse transmission (saltatory
conduction)Formed by Schwann cells in the PNS; oligodendrocytes in the
CNSNode of Ranvier:Gaps in the myelin sheathFacilitates rapid signal
conductionAxon Terminals (Synaptic Boutons):End of the axon
branchesRelease neurotransmitters to communicate with other neurons or
