Edexcel A Level Psychology Paper 1
Non-Study Question Notes
A revision document covering theory, methods, statistics, maths, practicals, key questions and issues/debates that
can be asked without explicitly naming a classic or contemporary study.
Source basis: Pearson Edexcel A level Psychology specification and Paper 1 question papers/mark schemes from 2017 to
2024, as provided in the uploaded files. Content has been formatted only, without adding new improvement sections.
Contents
1. Highest priority Paper 1 non-study content
2. Social Psychology
3. Cognitive Psychology
4. Biological Psychology
5. Learning Theories
6. Issues and Debates
7. Past-paper pattern summary and final checklist
, 1. Highest priority Paper 1 non-study content
Paper 1 non-study questions cover theories, mechanisms, methods, practicals, statistics, maths, key questions and
issues/debates. You should be able to answer both direct knowledge questions and applied scenario questions.
1.1 The four statistical tests
Test Use when Data/design Significance rule
Spearman's rho Testing a correlation or Ordinal, interval or ratio data Calculated value must equal or
relationship between two co- that can be ranked. exceed the critical value. Use
variables. the absolute value if negative.
Mann-Whitney U Testing a difference between Independent groups design. U is the smaller of Ua and Ub.
two independent groups. Calculated U must be equal to
or less than the critical value.
Wilcoxon signed ranks Testing a difference between Repeated measures or T is the smaller rank total.
two related conditions. matched pairs. Calculated T must be equal to
or less than the critical value.
Chi-squared Testing a difference or Nominal or category data. Calculated chi-squared must
association between equal or exceed the critical
frequencies. value.
1.2 Quick statistical decision rules
Spearman's rho: The calculated value is [x]. The critical value at p <= .05 for a [one/two-tailed] test with N = [number]
is [y]. Since [x] is greater than/equal to or less than the critical value, the result is/is not significant. Therefore the
alternative/null hypothesis should be accepted.
Mann-Whitney U: The calculated U value is [x]. The critical value is [y]. Since U must be equal to or less than the
critical value, the result is/is not significant.
Wilcoxon: Zero differences are ignored. T is the smaller rank total. Since calculated T is equal to/less than the critical
value, the result is significant.
Chi-squared: The calculated chi-squared value is [x]. The critical value at df = (r - 1)(c - 1) and p <= .05 is [y]. Since
the calculated value must equal or exceed the critical value, the result is/is not significant.
2. Social Psychology: everything non-study-specific
2.1 Obedience: agency theory
Core idea: people obey when they move from an autonomous state into an agentic state, where they see themselves
as an agent carrying out another person's orders.
Term Meaning
Autonomous state The person sees themselves as responsible for their own actions.
Agentic state The person sees themselves as carrying out the authority figure's
orders.
Agentic shift The movement from autonomous to agentic state.
Moral strain The discomfort felt when obeying an order that conflicts with
conscience.
Binding factors Features that keep someone obeying, such as politeness, fear of
disrupting the study, or commitment.
Legitimacy of authority The authority figure is seen as having the right to command.
Strength Weakness
Explains why ordinary people may obey harmful orders when Too situational and deterministic, because it can ignore
authority is legitimate. personality, culture and individual resistance.
Useful for explaining obedience in institutional settings. Does not fully explain why some people disobey in the same
situation.
2.2 Obedience: social impact theory
Non-Study Question Notes
A revision document covering theory, methods, statistics, maths, practicals, key questions and issues/debates that
can be asked without explicitly naming a classic or contemporary study.
Source basis: Pearson Edexcel A level Psychology specification and Paper 1 question papers/mark schemes from 2017 to
2024, as provided in the uploaded files. Content has been formatted only, without adding new improvement sections.
Contents
1. Highest priority Paper 1 non-study content
2. Social Psychology
3. Cognitive Psychology
4. Biological Psychology
5. Learning Theories
6. Issues and Debates
7. Past-paper pattern summary and final checklist
, 1. Highest priority Paper 1 non-study content
Paper 1 non-study questions cover theories, mechanisms, methods, practicals, statistics, maths, key questions and
issues/debates. You should be able to answer both direct knowledge questions and applied scenario questions.
1.1 The four statistical tests
Test Use when Data/design Significance rule
Spearman's rho Testing a correlation or Ordinal, interval or ratio data Calculated value must equal or
relationship between two co- that can be ranked. exceed the critical value. Use
variables. the absolute value if negative.
Mann-Whitney U Testing a difference between Independent groups design. U is the smaller of Ua and Ub.
two independent groups. Calculated U must be equal to
or less than the critical value.
Wilcoxon signed ranks Testing a difference between Repeated measures or T is the smaller rank total.
two related conditions. matched pairs. Calculated T must be equal to
or less than the critical value.
Chi-squared Testing a difference or Nominal or category data. Calculated chi-squared must
association between equal or exceed the critical
frequencies. value.
1.2 Quick statistical decision rules
Spearman's rho: The calculated value is [x]. The critical value at p <= .05 for a [one/two-tailed] test with N = [number]
is [y]. Since [x] is greater than/equal to or less than the critical value, the result is/is not significant. Therefore the
alternative/null hypothesis should be accepted.
Mann-Whitney U: The calculated U value is [x]. The critical value is [y]. Since U must be equal to or less than the
critical value, the result is/is not significant.
Wilcoxon: Zero differences are ignored. T is the smaller rank total. Since calculated T is equal to/less than the critical
value, the result is significant.
Chi-squared: The calculated chi-squared value is [x]. The critical value at df = (r - 1)(c - 1) and p <= .05 is [y]. Since
the calculated value must equal or exceed the critical value, the result is/is not significant.
2. Social Psychology: everything non-study-specific
2.1 Obedience: agency theory
Core idea: people obey when they move from an autonomous state into an agentic state, where they see themselves
as an agent carrying out another person's orders.
Term Meaning
Autonomous state The person sees themselves as responsible for their own actions.
Agentic state The person sees themselves as carrying out the authority figure's
orders.
Agentic shift The movement from autonomous to agentic state.
Moral strain The discomfort felt when obeying an order that conflicts with
conscience.
Binding factors Features that keep someone obeying, such as politeness, fear of
disrupting the study, or commitment.
Legitimacy of authority The authority figure is seen as having the right to command.
Strength Weakness
Explains why ordinary people may obey harmful orders when Too situational and deterministic, because it can ignore
authority is legitimate. personality, culture and individual resistance.
Useful for explaining obedience in institutional settings. Does not fully explain why some people disobey in the same
situation.
2.2 Obedience: social impact theory
