Psychology

1. 1.

   An experiment finds higher recall scores after caffeine than after a placebo. Explain why random allocation and a double-blind procedure strengthen this study.

   [3 marks] · no calculator

   Answer explanation

   Draft walkthroughs are based on marking guidance, not independently verified derivations.

   1. Random allocation addresses systematic participant differences; blinding addresses expectations about treatment.
   2. Random allocation reduces systematic participant differences between conditions.
   3. Double-blind means neither participants nor the interacting researchers know which treatment was assigned.
   4. This reduces expectancy effects and experimenter bias.

   Marking points

   • Random allocation reduces systematic participant differences between conditions.
   • Double-blind means neither participants nor the interacting researchers know which treatment was assigned.
   • This reduces expectancy effects and experimenter bias.

   Examiner tip: Random allocation to conditions is different from random sampling from a population.

2. 2.

   A study finds a positive correlation between sleep duration and examination scores. Explain why this does not establish that extra sleep causes higher scores.

   [3 marks] · no calculator

   Answer explanation

   Draft walkthroughs are based on marking guidance, not independently verified derivations.

   1. Consider third variables and direction of influence before treating an observed association as a causal effect.
   2. Correlation establishes an association, not a manipulated causal relationship.
   3. A third variable, such as stress or study habits, could affect both.
   4. Direction cannot be established from correlation alone.

   Marking points

   • Correlation establishes an association, not a manipulated causal relationship.
   • A third variable, such as stress or study habits, could affect both.
   • Direction cannot be established from correlation alone.

   Examiner tip: A correlation can be useful evidence without proving causation.

3. 3.

   Explain two ethical safeguards for an adult memory experiment and why each matters.

   [4 marks] · no calculator

   Answer explanation

   Draft walkthroughs are based on marking guidance, not independently verified derivations.

   1. Name each safeguard and explain the participant interest it protects. Other relevant ethical safeguards can also be justified.
   2. Obtain informed consent with an understandable account of participation and risks.
   3. This supports an informed, voluntary decision to participate.
   4. Allow withdrawal without penalty and explain any limits on withdrawing anonymised data.
   5. This protects autonomy and avoids pressuring participants to continue.

   Marking points

   • Obtain informed consent with an understandable account of participation and risks.
   • This supports an informed, voluntary decision to participate.
   • Allow withdrawal without penalty and explain any limits on withdrawing anonymised data.
   • This protects autonomy and avoids pressuring participants to continue.

   Examiner tip: Do not list ethical principles without explaining how they protect participants in this study.

Original, unofficial practice questions from SubjectScout — not official past-paper questions.