AQA A-Level Psychology 2027 Predicted Practice Paper — Paper 1

Answer ALL questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided. You must write down all the stages in your working.

Section A

Social influence. Answer all questions.

• 1

  Question SECTION-A1 (2 marks)

  In Asch's line-judgement studies, participants gave an obviously wrong answer on some trials because the confederates had all given that wrong answer first. Which type of conformity best describes a participant who privately still believed the correct answer but agreed out loud to avoid standing out from the group?

  A. InternalisationB. ComplianceC. IdentificationD. Minority influence

  (Total for Question SECTION-A1 is 2 marks)
• 2

  Question SECTION-A2 (4 marks)

  A psychology teacher arranges 20 desks in a single row so that every student directly faces the front. She wants to test whether the presence of an authority figure standing beside a student increases obedience to a request to hand over their phone. Outline what is meant by an 'agentic state' and explain how it could account for higher obedience when the teacher stands beside the student.

  (Total for Question SECTION-A2 is 4 marks)
• 3

  Question SECTION-A3 (6 marks)

  Explain how one situational variable investigated by Milgram affects obedience, and describe one strength of a situational explanation of obedience.

  (Total for Question SECTION-A3 is 6 marks)
• 4

  Question SECTION-A4 (12 marks)

  Discuss explanations for resistance to social influence. Refer to social support and locus of control in your answer.

  (Total for Question SECTION-A4 is 12 marks)

Section B

Memory. Answer all questions.

• 1

  Question SECTION-B1 (2 marks)

  According to the multi-store model of memory, information that is rehearsed in short-term memory is transferred to long-term memory. Which of the following correctly pairs a store with its coding, as proposed by research on the multi-store model?

  A. Short-term memory codes primarily semanticallyB. Long-term memory codes primarily acousticallyC. Short-term memory codes primarily acousticallyD. Sensory register codes primarily semantically

  (Total for Question SECTION-B1 is 2 marks)
• 2

  Question SECTION-B2 (4 marks)

  A student can hold about seven digits in short-term memory but forgets them after roughly 18 seconds if she is prevented from rehearsing. Identify the capacity and duration of short-term memory as established by research, and briefly explain how the concept of 'chunking' can increase the amount of information held.

  (Total for Question SECTION-B2 is 4 marks)
• 3

  Question SECTION-B3 (6 marks)

  Outline the working memory model. In your answer, refer to the central executive and at least two other components.

  (Total for Question SECTION-B3 is 6 marks)
• 4

  Question SECTION-B4 (12 marks)

  Describe and evaluate research into the effect of misleading information on the accuracy of eyewitness testimony.

  (Total for Question SECTION-B4 is 12 marks)

Section C

Attachment. Answer all questions.

• 1

  Question SECTION-C1 (2 marks)

  In the Strange Situation, a securely attached infant typically shows moderate distress when the caregiver leaves and is easily comforted on their return. Which attachment type is characterised by high stranger and separation anxiety together with a resistance to comfort (e.g. seeking then pushing away the caregiver) on reunion?

  A. Secure attachment (Type B)B. Insecure-avoidant attachment (Type A)C. Insecure-resistant attachment (Type C)D. Disorganised attachment (Type D)

  (Total for Question SECTION-C1 is 2 marks)
• 2

  Question SECTION-C2 (4 marks)

  Outline what is meant by 'reciprocity' and 'interactional synchrony' in caregiver-infant interactions. Use an example to illustrate one of these terms.

  (Total for Question SECTION-C2 is 4 marks)
• 3

  Question SECTION-C3 (6 marks)

  Explain the learning theory ('cupboard love') explanation of attachment and give one limitation of this explanation.

  (Total for Question SECTION-C3 is 6 marks)
• 4

  Question SECTION-C4 (12 marks)

  Discuss Bowlby's monotropic theory of attachment. Refer to concepts such as the critical period, the internal working model and social releasers in your answer.

  (Total for Question SECTION-C4 is 12 marks)

Section D

Psychopathology. Answer all questions.

• 1

  Question SECTION-D1 (2 marks)

  A woman washes her hands more than fifty times a day because she cannot stop intrusive thoughts that she is contaminated. She recognises the behaviour is excessive but feels unable to control it. Using the categories of characteristics of abnormality, the intrusive contamination thoughts are best classified as which type of characteristic?

  A. A behavioural characteristicB. An emotional characteristicC. A cognitive characteristicD. A somatic characteristic

  (Total for Question SECTION-D1 is 2 marks)
• 2

  Question SECTION-D2 (4 marks)

  Explain what is meant by two of the following definitions of abnormality: 'deviation from social norms' and 'failure to function adequately'. For each definition you explain, give one limitation.

  (Total for Question SECTION-D2 is 4 marks)
• 3

  Question SECTION-D3 (6 marks)

  Explain the two-process model as an explanation for the acquisition and maintenance of phobias.

  (Total for Question SECTION-D3 is 6 marks)
• 4

  Question SECTION-D4 (12 marks)

  Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach to explaining depression. Refer to Beck's cognitive triad and/or Ellis's ABC model in your answer.

  (Total for Question SECTION-D4 is 12 marks)