AS & A Level / Psychology / Psychopathology and explanatory models Question practice
Psychopathology and explanatory models About this practice Original, unofficial practice. Evaluative marking points are indicative: credit equivalent justified arguments, one point per distinct criterion, without double counting.
Accept equivalent valid methods and supported interpretations that address the task. Award each mark once; matching the model wording is not required.
Psychology Psychopathology and explanatory models
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1 Explain why statistical rarity alone is insufficient to define a psychological disorder. Use a non-clinical example. Easy 3 marks No calculator + 2 For an educational model, distinguish a predisposing vulnerability from a precipitating stressor in a diathesis-stress account. Easy 3 marks No calculator + 3 Fictional educational vignette: avoiding a harmless lift brings immediate relief but maintains fear of lifts. Analyse a behavioural maintenance account; do not diagnose the person. Medium 4 marks No calculator + 4 Fictional educational vignette: after one poor test result, a learner concludes 'I fail at everything' and withdraws from activities. Analyse a cognitive account and one alternative explanation to investigate. Medium 4 marks No calculator + 5 Fictional case: a textbook calls every deviation from local social norms a disorder. Evaluate this definition in relation to culture, harm and historical change. Hard 4 marks No calculator + 6 Fictional case: a report explains distress entirely through genes and dismisses social support. Evaluate this explanation using interaction and evidence limitations. Hard 4 marks No calculator + Self-assessed Not marked yet
Set total 22
This is a self-study tool, not a certified answer key or a predicted AS & A Level grade.
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Original questions, not official past papers. Marking guidance is indicative, not an official answer key. Check your exam-board specification.
