OCR A Level Psychology Applied psychology November 2020 question paper H567/03

Outline one way of defining abnormality in relation to mental health.

Explain one weakness of this way of defining abnormality.

The key research by Rosenhan (1973) was carried out in the USA. Within this study, staff in a psychiatric hospital rated how likely it was that patients were pretending to have a mental illness. Of the 193 patients judged in this way, 19 were suspected of being fake patients by a psychiatrist and one other staff member.

Outline one way this finding illustrates reliability.

Outline one way this finding illustrates ethnocentrism.

In the key research by Szasz (2011), mental illness is described as a ‘myth’.

What does Szasz mean by this?

To what extent do you agree with Szasz’s claim that mental illness is a ‘myth’?

Identify one specific disorder and identify an appropriate non-biological treatment for it.

Explain how this treatment can contribute to the success of the economy and society.

Discuss mental illness in relation to the individual/situational explanations debate.

OPTION 1

Child psychology

* Outline the key research by Gibson and Walk (1960) and explain what it tells us about the

development of perception.

* Discuss methodological issues involved when researching perceptual development.

* Mary is the manager of a nursery school for children aged from birth until they go to school. Mary is keen to get the children in her nursery school playing in ways that will aid their development.

Outline at least one play strategy Mary could use to develop perception in the children

attending her nursery school.

OPTION 2

Criminal psychology

* Using the key research by Raine et al. (1997), explain what makes a criminal.

* Discuss the validity of research into what makes a criminal.

* Ray is the Government Minister in charge of prisons for the country. He is aware that while offenders are in prison there is an opportunity to reform them. Ray is interested in biologically-based measures to prevent crime that he could apply while offenders are still in prison.

Outline at least one biological strategy a psychologist might suggest to Ray that could be

used to prevent prisoners from committing crimes in the future.

OPTION 3

Environmental psychology

* Outline the key research by Black and Black (2007) and explain what it tells us about

environmental stressors.

* Discuss the reductionism/holism debate in relation to research into stressors in the

environment.

* For the last few years, Simon has been able to walk to work. He has just been given a job that will require him to travel approximately 20 miles to get to work. A range of different transport options are available to Simon, but he is worried that his daily commute could become a stressful experience.

Outline at least one strategy for managing environmental stress that a psychologist might

suggest to commuters like Simon.

OPTION 4

Sport and exercise psychology

* Outline the key research by Smith et al. (1979) and explain what it tells us about coaching in

sport.

* Discuss the nature/nurture debate in relation to research into performing with others in sport.

* Sharmin has just been made captain of her local women’s cricket team. She wants to use this leadership position to try and improve the performance of the team.

Outline at least one strategy a psychologist might suggest for how Sharmin could improve the

performance of her cricket team.