This is a compilation of all five Candidate Style Answers documents for the A-Level OCR Psychology Paper 3 specimen paper. Please scroll to the end

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1 This is a compilation of all five Candidate Style Answers documents for the A-Level OCR Psychology Paper 3 specimen paper. Please scroll to the end of each document to view the next.

2 Qualification Accredited A LEVEL Candidate Style Answers PSYCHOLOGY H567 For first teaching in 2015 Component 3 Issues in Mental Health Version 1

3 Candidate Style Answers Contents Introduction 3 Question 1a Question 1b Question 2 Sample answers 4 Commentary 4 Sample answers 5 Commentary 5 Sample answers 7 Commentary 7 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5 Sample answer 9 Commentary 9 Sample answer 11 Commentary 11 Sample answer 13 Commentary 13 2 OCR 2016

4 Candidate Style Answers Introduction This resource has been produced by a senior member of the A Level Psychology examining team to offer teachers an insight into how the assessment objectives are applied. As these responses have not been through full moderation, they are banded to give an indication of the level of each response. Please note that this resource is provided for advice and guidance only and does not in any way constitute an indication of grade boundaries or endorsed answers. The sample assessment material for these answers and commentary can be found on the A Level Psychology web page and accessed via the following link: applied-psychology-sample-assessment-materials.pdf 3 OCR 2016

5 Candidate Style Answers Component 3 Issues in Mental Health Question 1(a) Outline one definition of abnormality. [2] Sample answer Level TBC One definition of abnormality is Rosenhan s Statistical infrequency when a behaviour which is seen infrequently can be classified as abnormal. For example the majority of people do not have depression, and therefore depression could be classed as abnormal. Marks 2/2 Sample answer Level TBC One definition of abnormality is Jahoda s definition of deviation from ideal mental health, where she suggested six criteria you should meet in order not to be abnormal. These are: high self-esteem, personal growth, integration, autonomy, an accurate perception of reality and mastery of the environment. Marks 2/2 Sample answer Level TBC Szasz s view is that abnormality is behaviour which is termed abnormal but is simply judged by others to be bad or make them feel uncomfortable. It is not the result of a biological illness or disease. Marks 2/2 Each of these answers addresses the question for full marks. They show the difference in breadth vs depth, but as the question is only worth two marks candidates should not spend too long going into detail of each of the seven features. Sample answer Level TBC Abnormality can be defined as psychotic, anxiety or affective disorders, which can have different characteristics. Marks 1/2 This answer is really from the characteristics part of the specification, but does suggest that abnormality can be defined as a disorder, so would gain 1 mark. 4 OCR 2016

6 Candidate Style Answers Sample answer Level TBC Abnormality can be defined as behaviour which has a biological explanation such as genetics, which causes people to be abnormal. Marks 0/2 This only gives an explanation but doesn t tell us anything about what behaviour is abnormal (definitions); therefore this response is not creditworthy. Question 1b Explain why labelling people abnormal could be considered unethical. [3] Sample answer Level TBC One reason why labelling people as abnormal can be considered unethical is the social sensitivity of such labelling. The stigma attached to abnormality by our society is such that people may be subject to prejudice if they have a label of abnormality and this might mean they are discriminated against in that they may be unable to get a job or promotion because of this label. Marks: 3/3 Sample answer Level TBC One reason why labelling people as abnormal can be considered unethical is that once people are given the label they are unable to lose it and are victims of stigma and discrimination. This is due to the stickiness of labels according to Rosenhan and so they may find their behaviour judged by such a label, and others might interpret everything they do in light of this label, which can then not be lost, like Rosenhan s pseudo patients who were released with schizophrenia in remission. Marks: 3/3 Both of these answers address the question and give clear reasons as to why labelling could be considered unethical. Although the second answer is more study focussed, both meet the requirements of the question and would receive full marks. Sample answer Level TBC Social sensitivity is an area of ethics which suggests that people are affected by labelling and it is therefore not going to produce a good outcome for them, so it shouldn t be done because of stigma which is sticky. Marks 2/3 This answer has some focus on both ethics and labels; however they are not clearly linked. 5 OCR 2016

7 Candidate Style Answers Sample answer Level TBC Labelling means giving someone a label which will stick with them forever. Marks 1/3 This answer is very brief, but gains some credit as it gives a definition of labelling. However, there is no reference at all to ethics. Sample answer Level TBC Rosenhan s study showed the stickiness of labels with pseudo patients, who were admitted to hospital having said they heard voices saying thud and hollow. Marks 0/3 This answer doesn t explain stickiness of labels (which would have gained some credit as it implies the ethical problem of stickiness) and gives the parts of the study the student has remembered but with no mention of ethical problems of labelling. 6 OCR 2016

8 Candidate Style Answers Question 2 Rosenhan (1973) hypothesised that psychiatrists cannot reliably tell the difference between people who are sane and those who are insane. With reference to the key research, discuss how classification of mental illness can result in stickiness of labels. [5] Sample answer Level TBC Rosenhan s study which was carried out in 8 hospitals in the USA showed that when the patients were admitted with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, after being labelled in this way, the label stayed with them and they were treated in accordance with the label, even though they were acting perfectly sanely. Their behaviour such as writing in their diaries was classed as obsessive writing disorder, and this was seen as one more symptom of their mental illness. This shows that the label was used to explain everything they did and also they were released with the diagnosis of schizophrenia in remission which shows that the label stuck with them, even after several days (in one case 49 days) of sane behaviour, despite no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria. Marks 5/5 This clearly has a focus on the key research, as requested by the question. It discusses the stickiness of labels, and what this means, and talks about how the classification (or diagnosis) of the disorder is shown to result in behaviours being interpreted through the label. Sample answer Level TBC Stickiness of labels shows that when someone is diagnosed with a mental illness they are labelled with that illness, for example schizophrenia and this label is then used to judge all of their behaviour by, even if this behaviour doesn t exist anymore they might be labelled as in remission. For example they might be writing and this could be seen as obsessive writing, or queuing might be seen as abnormal simply due to their label. This what Rosenhan found. Marks 3/5 This clearly shows what stickiness of labels is and how it can lead to interpretation of the person s behaviour, however there is little referenced to Rosenhan s study. Sample answer Level TBC Szasz s view is that abnormality is behaviour which is termed abnormal but is simply judged by others to be bad or make them feel uncomfortable. T is not the result of a biological illness or disease. Marks 2/5 This answer provides discussion of parts of the Rosenhan study, but there are no links to the stickiness of labels, therefore only 2 marks can be achieved. 7 OCR 2016

9 Candidate Style Answers Sample answer Level TBC Diagnosis of mental illness is a result of labels being attached to normal behaviours which are seen to be abnormal. Szasz said this was due to political and medical people getting together to make mental illness labelled as a disease. Marks 0/5 This answer is not focussed on the stickiness of labels or on the key research by Rosenhan. It is simply suggesting a criticism of labelling with some reference to Szasz s study. 8 OCR 2016

10 Candidate Style Answers Question 3 Suggest how biological treatment can be used to treat one specific disorder. [5] Sample answer Level TBC One biological treatment for depression is biochemical or drug therapy. There are clear links between low serotonin levels and depression, and one treatment is the use of SRRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) which act on the levels of serotonin, in order to increase them. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which is transmitted across the synaptic gap, and once the neuron is stimulated the serotonin is taken back up by the original neuron, therefore leading to low levels. However, the SRRI prevents the reuptake and so the levels of serotonin in the synaptic gap remain high and therefore reduce the symptoms of depression. Marks 5/5 Sample answer Level TBC Biological treatment can comprise of more than one biological therapy, for example there could be drug therapy and ECT combined to treat depression. ECT is where electrodes are placed on the anesthetised patient s temples and an electric shock is passed into the patient s brain it can be a quick fix for reducing severe depression whilst waiting for drug therapy to become effective. A milder form of brain stimulation is TMS where a magnetic field is created causing a much weaker electrical signal to be applied to the prefrontal cortex. Drug therapy may be drugs which act on the serotonin level whereby the serotonin levels remain high due to the drug preventing them from being taken back in the nerve cell from the synapse, and as low serotonin levels are linked to depression, increasing them can reduce the symptoms of depression. Marks 5/5 The first answer provides good application of a clear, detailed and accurate biological treatment of depression. While the second answer gives a number of biological treatments for depression in less detail. Both answers meet the requirements of the question well enough to achieve full marks. These demonstrate different ways in which the question could be approached, showing depth breadth trade-offs. Sample answer Level TBC Drugs could be used to control the chemical level in the body, which may be unbalanced which can cause disorders such as depression. Serotonin a neurotransmitter, levels are low in people with depression so the drugs may need raise the levels of the serotonin they do this by preventing reuptake, so reducing the symptoms of depression. SRRIs which do this may have side effects. If the serotonin level gets too high it may lead to aggression. Marks 3/5 This response makes reference to a named disorder, with some reference to appropriate treatment, the impact of the treatment on both the chemicals and the disorder. However, the response lacks some details and the last part is not creditworthy as it is evaluation. 9 OCR 2016

11 Candidate Style Answers Sample answer Level TBC Biological treatments like drugs aim to change the biology for example in someone with a diagnosis of a disorder they might want to change chemicals or remove parts of the brain to reduce symptoms of that disorder. Marks 2/5 There is a limited suggestion of biological treatments, although there is some creditworthy material. However, there is no reference to a named disorder. Sample answer Level TBC Biofeedback is a treatment which can change the person s behaviour when they listen to their biological feedback and then try to reduce things like heart rate so they are not stressed. Marks 0/5 Biofeedback is a behavioural treatment; it is simply using the biological response to indicate the success of the relaxation techniques. Therefore, this response is not creditworthy. 10 OCR 2016

12 Candidate Style Answers Question 4 Compare a cognitive explanation with one other explanation of mental illness.. [10] Sample answer Level TBC Comparing the cognitive and biological explanations for mental illness, it can be seen that both of these explanations are falsifiable. Both the biological and cognitive explanations can be tested, experimentally and therefore they are both scientific. The biological explanation can be tested with blood tests of serotonin levels, which can then be correlated with symptoms of depression. It can also be substantiated by the fact that biological treatments such as SRRI are effective in reducing depression. The cognitive explanation of faulty thinking can also be assessed experimentally by asking about symptoms of depression and assessing faulty thinking, which Beck did, and found that the faulty thinking was more likely to be found in patients with depression than in people without that illness. The biological and cognitive explanations differ in terms of their view on the reductionism and holism debate. The biological approach is more holistic as it considers more than one biological cause, such as genetic explanations, with research supporting the idea that depression is more common in children with parents who have depression, or biochemical explanations which suggest levels of serotonin are linked to depression. The cognitive approach simply explains mental illness such as depression by the faulty thinking patterns of the individual, however they may be caused. Beck s theory has three components, the self, their world/experiences and their future. If they think negatively about themselves I am useless and their past experiences I have made so many mistakes and their future I can t see anything changing for the better the symptoms of depression can be seen as a result, for example lack of motivation as a result of the pessimistic thoughts about the future and the helplessness of not thinking anything can be changed. Marks 9/10 This answer shows the student has a good understanding of the key assumptions of both the cognitive and biological explanation of mental illness. Two points of comparisons are discussed - the method and the reductionist view are used, with some elaboration and effective use of examples. Sample answer Level TBC The assumption of the cognitive psychologists is that mental illness is brought about by faulty cognitions, for example people thinking they are worthless due to their faulty information processing. Biological psychologists on the other hand suggest that biology is to blame for mental illness, for example a genetic link where depression is inherited and/or low levels of serotonin being linked to depression. Both of these adopt an individual approach, in that mental illness is found within the person not dependent on the situation they find themselves in. With biological it is the person s chemicals and in the cognitive approach it is the person s faulty thoughts like Beck said. One difference is that the biological approach would suggest it is more nature whereas the cognitive approach might suggest nurture, as it is the environment and the information being processed which cause the depression, so if a person thinks everyone is ignoring them they might be depressed when in fact everyone is just too busy to reply to a text. Marks 6/10 A reasonable but unbalanced comparison between the cognitive and biological explanation is presented, with some detail in the reference to depression There is a reasonable structure with two points of comparison, but the latter is not clearly linked to the biological explanation. 11 OCR 2016

13 Candidate Style Answers Sample answer Level TBC Cognitive psychologists believe that the reason for mental illness such as depression is faulty cognitions or thoughts. These may lead the person to believe they are worthless and feel depressed. This can be compared to the biological explanation which believes that people suffer from depression due to their biology, so they are likely to have less serotonin levels in their body and this can lead to depression. They would treat them differently one by using cognitive therapy and one by using drug therapy. Marks 3/10 A limited description of the assumptions of both cognitive and the biological explanation of mental illness is included. This lacks detail and is superficial, it has some relevance, but there are no real points of comparison other than to suggest different treatments. Sample answer Level TBC The cognitive treatment is CBT which works by changing thoughts and can be used with a journal of thoughts. The biological treatment is based on drugs and ECT which can be used to stop people being depressed. Marks 1/10 This is answer is far too brief and what has been included focusses on treatments which is not required. There is a mere hint at what the explanation might be and there is an absence of comparison, which is a key requirement of the question. 12 OCR 2016

14 Candidate Style Answers Question 5 Discuss the nature/nurture debate in relation to the biological explanation of mental illness. [10] Sample answer Level TBC The nature nurture debate is one which psychologists have considered to try and explain behaviour. Psychologists who think behaviour is due to nature would consider that it had been inherited from parents and the child is born with that behaviour. This can be seen in the biological explanation of mental illness where genetic explanations for disorders such as schizophrenia can be seen. In Gottesman s research he showed that children with two parents who had been admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of schizophrenia were much more likely to be diagnosed themselves with schizophrenia and even bipolar, showing genetic similarities between these two disorders. This presents a problem of suggesting the nature side of the debate, as it could be seen as unethical if we then tried to prevent people from having babies if the parents had mental disorders. It is also a problem that it is very reductionist, in that if we say babies are born with a mental disorder due to inheritance, why is there not a 100% concordance rate between identical twins who have the same genetic makeup and the same environment, but don t always both get the same disorder. This means that we have to adopt a nurture side of the debate, and this could be seen in things like the chemical imbalance of a person, which might be caused by the environment. People with schizophrenia have depleted levels of dopamine and this could be caused by stressors in their environment (stress diathesis theory). So it is the environment of nurture of the person that causes the schizophrenia. This has less ethical considerations as it suggests we can actually do something to help prevent the disorder, other than gene therapy, and means that we can make a difference. However it does then put the onus on the person to help themselves, whereas the nature side might give someone the excuse it s not me it s my genes. The nurture side also adopts a more holistic explanation, as it suggests there are numerous factors in the environment which could affect the biological make up of a person suffering from a disorder such as schizophrenia. As you can see there are arguments for adopting a nature and nurture side of the debate in the biological explanation, and it is probably an interaction between genetic disposition and environmental factors which result in a person having a disorder, to the extreme that a person without a genetic disposition can still have a disorder due to environment and a person with a genetic disposition might not have any environmental factors and therefore will never show the disorder. Marks 10/10 This has a good explanation of the debate, with clear links to the biological explanation, and specific mental disorders, and some empirical evidence in support. It also has a well-developed line of reasoning and logical structure, looking at one side of the debate then the other, and finally bringing the interactionist suggestion at the end. There is a good discussion of the implications of adopting either side of the debate. Remember, based on a mark a minute this answer will only have just over 10 minutes time allocated. 13 OCR 2016

15 Candidate Style Answers Sample answer Level TBC The nature nurture debate considers whether behaviour is innate, ie born with it, or nurture which means the environment is the cause of the behaviour, in this case mental illness. The biological explanation can take the nature side in terms of genetics, with the disorder such as depression being inherited from a parent. It can also take the nature side of the debate by saying that if something happens such as a brain injury or a trauma which causes chemicals such as serotonin to reduce these could result in a diagnosis of mental disorders. The problem is trying to prove that the levels of serotonin actually cause the illness or is it the illness causes the serotonin levels to lower. If we assume it is something the person is born with, ie nature, then we could argue there is no point in trying to alter it as it is the person s nature, but we could look at treatments such as gene therapy to avoid babies being born with a disposition to a disorder. If we say it is nurture then we can try and make sure that someone s environment doesn t contain things which might cause the disorder, such as stress, or toxins. The nature nurture debate is one which can apply to the biological explanation of mental illness and it might be both nature and nurture. Marks 5/10 This answer is a reasonable application of the debate to the biological explanation of mental illness. It does actually consider the issues of applying the debate, evaluating the problems of considering something nature or nurture, and so does attempt to address the injunction to discuss. It is a good idea to link back to the question at the end of the answer but this is done in a limited, way, and to show good application of the debate to the explanation. Sample answer Level TBC The nature nurture debate suggests that there are two extremes of explanations, ones which think that mental illness is due to natural causes, for example genetic explanations, which may impact on the levels of serotonin. This is the nature position. The biological approach tends to take a nature view of mental illness, suggesting that it is part of the biological makeup of the person. However, in some illnesses there are factors such as dopamine levels in schizophrenia which could be triggered by the environment of the person such as the stress diathesis model. Therefore the biological approach cannot be thought of as entirely adopting a nature view, and in some cases the interaction of the nature and nurture can result in the explanation for mental illness. The nurture position is that the environment is the cause of the mental illness, for example the society or situation that the person finds them self in. For example Seligman s Theory of Learned Helplessness suggests that people may become depressed if they find that there is no way out of a situation and they just give up attempting to escape. His research on dogs showed that when they were repeatedly shocked and unable to escape their cage, when they were shocked but could have escaped they didn t even try. They had learned to be helpless. Marks 4/10 It is easy in a pre-prepared essay on nature nurture debate to lose sight of the question. This answer shows that the nature/ biological view has been learned in comparison to the cognitive/ nurture view and whatever the question there is going to be the prepared answer, however the part about the cognitive approach is not creditworthy. There is also limited discussion (describe and evaluate) of the nature/nurture debate in relation to the biological explanation. 14 OCR 2016

16 Candidate Style Answers Sample answer Level TBC The biological explanation is reductionist in its beliefs that the cause of mental illness is due to genetics and nothing else. It would be better if it took a holistic approach like the humanistic approach which suggests there is a whole range of reasons for a mental illness like no unconditional positive regard, or lack of self-actualisation. If the biological explanation was holistic it would look at more than one explanation rather than biology. The biological explanation also uses the experimental method which is objective and falsifiable and so makes it more scientific unlike the humanistic approach which is much more subjective and less falsifiable. My final point is that the biological explanation is deterministic as it says your genes determine your behaviour such as mental illness whereas the humanistic explanation says it is your own fault if you are ill and you should do something about it, so you have a choice (freewill). Marks 0/10 This answer demonstrates good knowledge of the biological explanation, but is a typical example of a pre-prepared comparison answer that is going to be used whatever the question. It has nothing creditworthy, therefore no marks are awarded. 15 OCR 2016

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18 Qualification Accredited A LEVEL Candidate Style Answers PSYCHOLOGY H567 For first teaching in 2015 Unit 03 Child Psychology Version 1

19 Contents Introduction 3 Question 6a 4 Mark scheme 4 High band answer 4 Middle/lower band answer 5 Bottom band answer 6 Question 6b 7 Mark scheme 7 High band answer 8 Middle/lower band answer 9 Bottom band answer 9 Question 6c 10 Mark scheme 10 High band answer 10 Middle/lower band answer 11 Bottom band answer 11 2 OCR 2017

20 Introduction This resource has been produced by a senior member of the A Level Psychology examining team to offer teachers an insight into how the assessment objectives are applied. As these responses have not been through full moderation, they are banded to give an indication of the level of each response. Please note that this resource is provided for advice and guidance only and does not in any way constitute an indication of grade boundaries or endorsed answers. The sample assessment material for these answers and commentary can be found on the A Level Psychology web page and accessed via the following link: OCR 2017

21 Question 6a Question 6a Using the research by Barkley-Levenson et al. (2014), explain the relationship between brain development and risk taking behaviour. [10] Mark scheme Answer AO1 (5 marks) Candidates must refer to the key study by Barkley-Levenson et al. to access the top band. Candidates will describe the psychological evidence of the key study appropriately and effectively. Marks 10 AO2 (5 marks) In order to achieve credit for application of knowledge and understanding in a theoretical context, candidates must make a link to explain the relationship between brain development and risk taking behaviour. They might consider the finding of the study as evidence which suggests hyper activation of reward circuitry (ventral striatum) response in adolescence may be a normal response and this could be linked with the lack of development of the pre-frontal cortex. It is important for the answer to make the link between hypersensitivity to reward and risk taking behaviour, for example the gambling referred to in the key study, the reward gained, or the dopamine rush of alcohol leading to more alcohol intake. Other appropriate responses should be credited. High band answer Barkley-Levenson et al. (2014) investigated the influence of brain development on risk taking behaviour. They compared the risk taking of 19 adults and 22 adolescents on a gambling task while having an fmri scan. They were presented with a number of different gambles which had a 50% chance of gaining the amount shown on one side of a spinner and a 50% probability of losing the amount shown on the other side. The study found that acceptance rates did not change in either adolescents or adults when there was no risk involved in both gain-only and loss-only trials. It can therefore be concluded that the adolescent brain is no different to adults when there is no risk taking behaviour involved. However, the higher the Expected Value (EV) of the win then the more likely adolescents were to gamble compared to adults. The researchers found that these results correlated with greater activation of part of the brain called the ventral striatum, which is sensitive to rewards, in the adolescents. This significant brain activation in the ventral striatum of adolescents was still apparent even after controls had been applied, by matching groups on acceptance behaviour. It has been suggested that the maturation of the adolescent brain is linked to such risk taking. Different areas of the under-developed adolescent brain were also found to be different to adults. Brain imaging showed decreased activity in the amygdala, which controls fear. This may explain why adolescents showed more risk taking behaviour, because there was no fear of consequences of their risk taking behaviour. There was also found to be an increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex which is responsible for memory and decision making, this part of the brain is not thought to fully develop until our mid-20s, this under development of the brain would further explain risk taking behaviour in these individuals. This study explains the neural differences in sensitivity to EV change across development, particularly in the ventral striatum. Hyper activation in this area of the brain appears to be a specific response of the adolescent brain to rewards, which are mediated by developmental differences in valuation. Barkley-Levenson et al. argue that these results are not a methodological consequence of using money as the rewarding stimulus, but can explain the relationship between brain development and any risk taking behaviour such as gambling, drinking and risky driving behaviours. Brain development therefore explains that adolescents are more likely to engage in risk tasking that may be advantageous to them. 4 OCR 2017

22 Research suggests that the ventral striatum is responsible for decision-making, risk, and reward. Therefore, the adolescent brain area can be associated with poor decision making, risk taking and supressing the fear response in the amygdala. As well as mediating reinforcement and motivation. When there are thoughts of monetary or emotional gains, dopamine levels in the ventral striatum of the adolescent brain will increase, which in turn impacts reward related behaviour - the hyper active ventral striatum is part of the reward circuitry of the brain, which therefore explains high levels of risk taking. This response in adolescents is understood to be linked with the under-development of the pre-frontal cortex and it also explains the dopamine rush of alcohol which leads to more alcohol intake. Because of its involvement in reward pathways, the hypersensitive ventral striatum has also been implicated in playing an important role in addiction and risk taking behaviour. Commentary As there is reference to the key study by Barkley-Levenson et al. to the top band can be accessed. Appropriate evidence from the study is included, which effectively addresses the question. AO2 content also meets the requirements of the top band. There are clear links made to explain the relationship between brain development and risk taking behaviour. The link between hypersensitivity of the ventral striatum to reward and risk taking behaviour is clearly made. Middle/lower band answer Barkley-Levenson et al. investigated the relationship between brain development and risk taking behaviour. Their aims were to see whether adolescents would accept more gambles of increasing expected values than adults and if adolescent Ventral Striatum activation will increase in proportion to increasing expected values. They found that all trials with positive expected values were accepted significantly more than trials with an expected value of zero, these were also accepted significantly more than trials with negative expected value. Therefore, the greater the potential win, the more likely adolescents were to gamble compared to adults. When the adolescents gambled, brain scans showed that there was more activity in the ventral striatum. Adolescent brains also showed less activity in the amygdala and more activity in the prefrontal cortex. It can be concluded that because adolescent brains are not fully developed, adolescents are more likely to engage in risk taking behaviour such as gambling, compared to adults. This is particularly true of the ventral striatum which appears to be hyperactive in adolescents, which is rewarding, this is not the case in adults. Commentary As there is reference to the key research which demonstrates reasonable knowledge and understanding. This is generally accurate and relevant to the question, although some detail is lacking. There is also some evidence of selection of material from the key research study to address the question to explain the relationship between brain development and risk taking behaviour. 5 OCR 2017

23 Bottom band answer Teenagers brains are less developed than those of adults, therefore they are more likely to show risk taking behaviour because their brains are hyperactive which can also cause addictions. Adolescents also seek out more rewards. This was found by Barkley-Levenson who conducted a quasi-experiment in a lab, with 11 female and 8 male adults aged between 25 and 30 and some adolescents. It was a volunteer sample who had responded to posters and internet adverts. Participants attended the lab to give consent and were asked about their primary source of income and amount of money they spent per month. This was about the mean for adolescents was $50 for adolescents and almost $500 for the adults. A week later, participants returned for a brain scan and took part in a gambling task involving a spinner. Profits of up to $20 could be made, as could losses in a total of 144 trials. Participants were also informed that one of the trials that they chose to accept would be selected at the end of the scan to play for real money. Commentary Although there is evidence of knowledge and understanding of the key research, this is not used effectively to answer the question. There is little evidence of selection of material to address the question. Features from the study are simply identified and there is no content to explain the relationship between brain development and risk taking behaviour. 6 OCR 2017

24 Question 6b Question 6b Assess ethical problems with using brain structure as an explanation of risk taking behaviour. [15] Mark scheme Answer AO1 (2 marks) Candidates could demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical problems by making reference to the ethical considerations of research into brain structure as an explanation of risk taking behaviour. For example, one ethical problem with the explanation is the need to carry out brain scans on adolescents and children, which entails the consideration of issues such as consent and protection Marks 15 AO3 (13 marks) Examples from appropriate studies should be used to show the analysis of these issues. Candidates could also refer to issues such as the social sensitivity of adopting brain structure as an explanation for risk taking behaviour, the target population and samples used, the issue of banning teenagers from drinking, or the use of information such as increasing car insurance premiums for teenagers. Again, reference to appropriate research could help demonstrate development and elaboration of the points made. Other appropriate responses should be credited. High band answer An inevitable problem with conducting research in this area is that the brain structure of adults needs to be compared to that of children in order to see if these variations explain the differences in risk taking behaviour between the two groups. Carrying out research on children raises the issues of consent and protection from harm. In Barkley-Levenson s study, participants initially attended the laboratory for an intake session for neuro-imaging where the adults gave fully informed consent. However, as some of the adolescents were under 16 they were unable to consent to take part, this potential ethical issue was overcome as consent was given by their parents. All participants also volunteered to take part, as they responded to posters and internet adverts. However, the use of brain scans on children and exposing them to gambling could both be harmful and therefore breaks the ethical guideline of protection from harm. As we know from this research study, because of a hypersensitive ventral striatum, adolescents are more likely to show risk taking behaviour and place greater value on rewards. This study could cause the adolescents to associate positive emotions and motivation when making risky choices and the experiences of the monetary rewards could cause risky behaviour being maintained through operant conditioning. As a result, the children who take part in this study may engage in further risk taking behaviours such as gambling after this study, which would again further reinforce such undesirable behaviours. Furthermore, although the adolescents were debriefed, they would also be informed that they were likely to engage in negative risk taking behaviours which could also lead to psychological harm. Although it could be argued that if children are aware of their risk to such behaviours and the potential negative consequences this may reduce the chances of such behaviours occurring. Psychological harm could also be caused by MRI scans if the participants are claustrophobic or even if they do not like confined spaces and overweight people, while there may be physical harm for pregnant women or for individuals with tattoos, pacemakers, metal dental implants, hearing aids or a prosthetics. As a result, such individuals would be excluded from taking part in such research. Socially sensitive research has ethical implications that go beyond the research situation and affect people or groups in the wider society. Barkley-Levenson et al. s research has a negative effect on adolescents, as they may be stigmatised for being more prone to advantageous anti-social risk taking behaviour because of their brain structures that are beyond their control. 7 OCR 2017

25 Moreover, this explanation is biologically deterministic. It is unethical to suggest that teenagers will take risks such as drinking more than other groups which could lead to calls for increasing the age for drinking. By proposing that teenagers are more likely to engage in risk taking behaviours could lead to insurance companies increasing insurance premiums for this group of people and wrongly generalising that all young people will drive in a risky and dangerous way. However, this view is not without evidence and findings from research such as Barkley-Levenson et al. suggest that a hypersensitive ventral striatum leads to risk taking in adolescents. With this in mind, it would be unethical not to highlight the potential dangers to young drivers and therefore they should be educated accordingly. Tymula et al. (2012) found that adolescents engage in the most risk taking behaviours compared to other children and adults and have the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases, thrill-seeking behaviours and even drive faster than adults. Furthermore, mortality rates of adolescents are 200% greater than their younger peers. Our awareness from research of adolescents being prone to such risk taking behaviours allows us to protect them from the consequences of their decisions. Tymula et al. (2012) suggest that enforcing age limits on gambling, drinking, driving and smoking and limiting their engagement through educational programs inform them of the risks and consequences of their behaviours which would in the hope that they will limit dangerous behaviours on their own. Therefore, through our understanding that brain structures can explain risk taking behaviour in adolescents and can actually reduce such risky behaviours. In conclusion, there are possible benefits of brain structure explanation as they can predict and therefore potential harm for adolescents. However, this must be carefully weighed not only against possible harm but also against the burden of knowledge and the possible discrimination against such groups as adolescents. Commentary This is a top band response. The answer demonstrates knowledge and understanding of ethical problems, with reference to the ethical considerations of research into brain structure as an explanation of risk taking behaviour. A range of ethical problems are identified and examples from appropriate studies are used to show the analysis of these issues, research is also used effectively to help demonstrate development and elaboration of the points made. 8 OCR 2017

26 Middle band answer One ethical problem with using brain structure as an explanation for risk taking behaviour is that if the adolescents show abnormal activity in areas of the brain such as the ventral striatum (VS) or the amygdala, it may not be appropriate to tell the participant of these findings, as it could cause them psychological harm. However, it would also be unethical not to tell them, as they should be fully informed about the aims and the findings of psychological research they are taking part in. Furthermore, if such brain activity is apparent in adolescents this may lead to socially sensitive conclusions whereby society may view teenagers behaviour as being determined by their brain structure and that they have no freewill in deciding whether to take risks or not. Research studies such as Barkley-Levenson et al. support the brain structure explanation, they found that the higher the expected value of winning on a gambling task, the more likely they were to gamble. In these circumstances there was more activation in the VS in adolescents, so there was a positive correlation between gambling and brain activation. Supporters of the brain explanation would apply these findings to other risk taking behaviours in addition to gambling and as a result of this there may be implications such as increasing the legal age of drinking and increasing insurance premiums for teenage drivers. These consequences could be seen as unjust and unethical because teenagers are being punished for the likelihood of engaging in certain behaviours. Commentary This is a band 2 or 3 response, there are examples of good and reasonable knowledge and understanding. There a limited number of points of analysis, interpretation and evaluation which are limited at times. Generally, points are related to the context of the question and are relevant, with some supporting evidence from the key research, although this lacks some focus. Bottom band answer As children are participants in this research, they would be unable to give informed consent in order to take part in the research. However, permission was gained from parents. Another ethical problem with such research would be psychological harm. If teenagers were given brain scans, which indicate they were more likely to show that they are likely to show risk taking behaviour this could cause psychological harm as they may believe they are unable to control their behaviour. This research could also be classed as socially sensitive, the findings would be give teenagers a bad name and be judged negatively by other people and society. Commentary This is a bottom band response, although there is reasonable knowledge and understanding the answer lacks detail. There are a few basic points of analysis, interpretation and evaluation but there is no evidence of an argument. The use of supporting examples and evidence is limited and there are no valid conclusions that attempt to summarise the issues and arguments show little understanding. 9 OCR 2017

27 Question 6c Question 6c Max has just passed his driving test and often breaks the speed limit. He enjoys driving fast and even a police warning has not stopped him. Max s parents have tried to punish him for this behaviour but their interventions have not been successful. (c)* Discuss how a psychologist could investigate whether Max s behaviour is due to brain development. [10] Mark scheme Answer Candidates need to show their knowledge and understanding of methods and processes of researching brain development and apply this specifically to the context of the study of Max s behaviour. It would be acceptable to consider the problems which derive from such research as the question has the injunction discuss rather than outline or describe, indicating some acknowledgement of the strengths and weakness, but the focus is on the application of knowledge of the methods as well as the application of evaluation issues. Marks 10 Other appropriate responses should be credited. High band answer Max s risk taking behaviour, namely dangerous driving could be investigated through the use of brain scans. It seems that Max s behaviour cannot be explained by behaviourism, as the police warning and attempts by his parents to punish him have not been successful. Therefore, operant conditioning is unlikely to be the cause, as this behaviour is not being unlearnt through consequences. It seems likely that as Max is a teenager then his behaviour is due to the underdevelopment of his brain. A psychologist could carry out neuroimaging, using an fmri scan to measure Max s brain activity when carrying out risk taking behaviour. Max could be asked to play a video game in which there are opportunities to take risks and gambles, whereby the rewards for such risks would vary throughout the game. In order to make the experiment relevant to Max s risk taking behaviour this could be a driving simulation game, with virtual rewards and punishments being available for Max. While Max is offered the opportunity to take risks while playing the game, the psychologist would look at the brain activity in different areas of the brain. The psychologist would be particularly interested in the activity levels of Max s ventral striatum, if this part of the brain is hyper-active then the psychologist could assume that this could explain the risk taking behaviour. The psychologist would also measure activity in the prefrontal cortex, increased activity in this area would lead to the psychologist concluding that under-development in this part of the brain could also explain Max s risk taking behaviour. The combination of the lack of maturation of these areas in Max s brain may explain a lack of understanding of acceptable social behaviour such as dangerous driving. While if Max also tries to maximise rewards in the game which hold a potential risk, the psychologist could look at the correlation with brain activity at these times. By investigating Max s risk taking behaviour in a highly controlled and standardised laboratory the psychologist could easily replicate the investigation with a larger sample and can compare his brain activity with that of adults. By investigating Max s risk taking behaviour in a lab experiment there would be greater controls over confounding variables, which may impact his behaviour when driving a car. Furthermore, it would be impractical and dangerous to carry out a brain scan while Max was actually driving and he would also be more likely to show social desirability and change his driving to be less risk taking if he knew a psychologist was observing his behaviour. However, measuring risk taking behaviour in a lab on a video game is not comparable to Max breaking the speed limit, police warnings and punishments from parents. Therefore investigating Max s behaviour in this way would be invalid. However, the use of an fmri is very scientific and provides us with objective results that are falsifiable. Deduction was used as a hypothesis that Max s risk taking behaviour is due to an under-developed brain could be tested and useful causal conclusions were then made. 10 OCR 2017

28 Commentary This is a clear top band answer (9-10 marks) This answer demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of methods and processes of researching brain development which is applied specifically to the context of the study of Max s behaviour. There is also some sound discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of this investigation, thus focuses on the application of knowledge of the methods as well as the application of evaluation issues. Middle/lower band answer In order to investigate whether Max s enjoyment of fast driving is due to his brain development, a risk task would be set up for him in which has brain activity would be measured using an fmri scan. The psychologist would be particularly interested in the activity within the ventral striatum which is thought to be hypersensitive in adolescents like Max. Max s brain could be compared to an adult s brain and to see whether Max responds differently to rewards than the adult does. Tasks with varying expected values, which are concerned with the amount of risk involved in a task which might affect the amount of brain activity, could be used. Max and the adult would be given the opportunity to gamble money on the outcome of a spinner, which has two possible outcomes. A range of profit values between +$5 and +$20 and loss amounts between $5 and $20 could be given. Within the trials there could also be gain-only trials and loss-only trials. Max and the adult could also be given the opportunity to gamble for real money. When completing these gambling tasks, the psychologist would examine the brain activity in the ventral striatum and compare the activity between Max and the adult, as well as activity in the amygdala, which could be linked to Max s fear when driving fast and the medial prefrontal cortex, which could explain Max s poor decision making when driving. This method of investigation is highly scientific in that it is in controlled lab conditions and is easily to replicate with other adolescents. However, it could give us an insight into Max s behaviour, it would be unable to explain why Max s driving behaviour specifically. The artificial conditions would also lack mundane realism and may lack in ecological validity. Commentary This is a band 2 or 3 response, with examples of both limited and reasonable application of knowledge to the case of Max. The information included is in the mostly relevant to the question and supported by some evidence. In order to improve, the response should be more applicable to particularly features of the case of Max, rather than simply repeating the procedures from the key research study. Bottom band answer A brain scan could be used to measure risk taking behaviour. A quasi-experiment could be carried out where a psychologist could compare the brain activity of children to adults. Participants could be given $20 for playing a game and could be told that there is a chance to win up to $20 more. They could complete the gambling task while having an fmri scan. They could be presented with a series of gambles which have a 50% chance of winning the amount shown on one side of a spinner and a 50% probability of losing the amount of money indicated on the other side of the spinner. The psychologist could see which parts of the brain are active during the task, we could therefore see what part of the brain explains risk taking behaviour. Commentary This is a bottom band response, although there is some psychological knowledge and understanding of brain development and risk taking behaviour, the answer is not effectively applied to the question. The response is generalised and lacks focus to the requirements of question. Reference to the key research is made, rather than to the case of Max. 11 OCR 2017

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30 Qualification Accredited A LEVEL Candidate Style Answers PSYCHOLOGY H567 For first teaching in 2015 Component 3 - Criminal Psychology Version 1

31 Contents Introduction 3 Question 7a 4 Sample answer - Level 4 4 Commentary 4 Sample answer - Level 3 5 Commentary 5 Sample answer - Level 1 6 Commentary 6 Question 7b 7 Sample answer - Level 4 7 Commentary 7 Sample answer - Level 3 8 Commentary 8 Sample answer - Level 1 9 Commentary 9 Question 7c 10 Sample answer - Level 4 10 Commentary 10 Sample answer - Level 3 11 Commentary 11 Sample answer - Level1 12 Commentary 12 2 Copyright OCR 2016

32 Introduction This resource has been produced by a senior member of the A Level Psychology examining team to offer teachers an insight into how the assessment objectives are applied. As these responses have not been through full moderation, they are banded to give an indication of the level of each response. Please note that this resource is provided for advice and guidance only and does not in any way constitute an indication of grade boundaries or endorsed answers. The sample assessment material for these answers and commentary can be found on the A Level Psychology web page and accessed via the following link: psychological-themes-through-core-studies-sampleassessment-materials.pdf 3 Copyright OCR 2016

33 Question 7a Explain how the research by Hall and Player (2008) could be used to improve fingerprint identification. [10] Sample answer - Level 4 The research by Hall and Player highlights possible emotional bias which could affect the process of identifying fingerprints. In the study they created an experiment where 70 experienced forensic scientists were asked to compare a smudged fingerprint on a 50 note with a reference set of prints. This is a very subjective decision and could possibly be influenced by many cognitive factors. The independent variable was the information that was included in a crime report supplied with the prints. Half were given a crime report describing fraud involving passing forged notes where the suspect fled the premises after the shop assistant spotted that the money was fake, this was the low emotional context condition. The other half were given the same information but at the end of the description it stated that the criminal fired two shots and killed the victim and then fled, this is the high emotional context condition. The reason for this was to see whether an emotional context influences the accuracy of the scientists. When comparing the conditions there was little difference in identification rates between the high emotional context condition and low emotional context condition. This suggests that the emotional context actually had little effect on the sample in terms of their identification of the fingerprint. However, the particpants were asked at the end of the study if they had read the crime report which contained the details of the crime, and if they had, did they think it had affected their analysis. 50% of the high condition said it had affected their analysis, compared to 6% from the low condition. This result does suggest that emotional context can affect the fingerprint experts thinking, but maybe not to the extent of biasing their judgements in this artificial scenario. In the real world, emotional context may be more influential. To improve the future identification of fingerprints forensic experts should be blind to the details of the crime, being provided only with the fingerprints and no crime report. This would ensure that all finger print identifications would be carried out in exactly the same way with no bias affecting more or less violent crimes. Forensic scientists could be more objective in their analysis if they are unaware of the contextual details of a crime. This is known as de-biasing. Mark/Level: 9 Marks Level 4 The response demonstrates good knowledge and understanding of the study by Hall and Player (AO1). There is good application of psychological knowledge which is explicitly related to the question (AO2). There is a well developed line of reasoning and the answer flows and has good structure. How the answer could be improved The improvement suggested in the answer could be developed further. 4 Copyright OCR 2016

34 Question 7a Explain how the research by Hall and Player (2008) could be used to improve fingerprint identification. [10] Sample answer - Level 3 Hall and Player asked 70 fingerprint experts to check whether a blurred fingerprint on some money belonged to a suspect. There were two versions, one group were told it was a violent crime and the other group that it wasn t violent. They then wanted to see if experts identification was affected by the differences crimes. They thought that finger printers who had been told that it was from a violent crime would get upset and this might affect the conclusion they made. They asked them if the violence of the crime had affected their decision making. They said it had, so that is a big problem because this means that fingerprinting is not accurate always. This research can be used to improve the study of fingerprints because it shows that emotion can influence people, so finger printers shouldn t be told about the type of crime, as if it is a violent/upsetting crime then this will affect their judgement which isn t fair. They should just be asked to match a print with no other information about what the crime was. All they would be required to do is say if it s a match. As there is no emotional information then they should make more accurate decisions regarding the fingerprints. Mark/Level: 6 marks Level 3 Generally accurate description of Hall and Player, although the answer does lack some important details. Explanation is reasonable and the answer does engage with the question. (A01). The response demonstrates a reasonable application of knowledge and understanding to suggest improvements to fingerprint identification. (AO2). The answer is largely relevant and is supported by evidence. How the answer could be improved More use of technical terminology would be helpful. Including key details of the study such as results and further analysis of them would improve also the answer. 5 Copyright OCR 2016

35 Question 7a Explain how the research by Hall and Player (2008) could be used to improve fingerprint identification. [10] Sample answer - Level 1 Hall and Player show that finger printers can be affected by their beliefs. If they think a crime is more violent then this makes them stressed which can lead to mistakes. They don t use computers like on CSI to check fingerprints, it is a man who looks at them and says if they are the same, this method isn t very useful. This shows that they can get it wrong and then the wrong person goes to jail, so things need to improve. So if someone is very emotional they shouldn t look at fingerprints because they will get confused or think they have to solve it and make a wrong choice. If they did use computers like on CSI then that would be good as they won t get emotional and make mistakes like people do, this the main way we can improve fingerprinting. Mark/Level: 2 Marks - Level 1 This response is very anecdotal, demonstrating basic knowledge and understanding of the topic. (AO1). The improvements suggested are very weak and are unsupported, though showing basic concept of controlling bias. (AO2). The research is not used effectively and there is limited psychological knowledge. How the answer could be improved More detail of the study is required and this should be used to engage with question. The improvement should be an application of the candidate s knowledge and understanding of the Hall and Player study to the requirements of the question. Clear links between the research and suggested improvements will demonstrate this. More use of psychological terminology and explanations will prevent the answer sounding so anecdotal. 6 Copyright OCR 2016

36 Question 7b Assess the usefulness of research into the collection and processing of forensic evidence. [15] Sample answer - Level 4 Research into bias in the collection and processing of forensic evidence is useful in a number of ways. Firstly, it is important that the legal system can rely on forensic evidence so that fair judgements can be made in cases using techniques like fingerprint analysis or other subjective techniques. Studies like Hall and Player indicate that details about the case may influence the decisions scientists make about forensic evidence, especially where there is an emotional context, for example where a violent crime has been committed. This is useful as it identifies possible bias in this type of evidence which judges should be aware of. However, in this study the emotional context had no effect on the accuracy of the identification, so it could be argued that although the forensic scientists felt that they had been influenced by the emotional nature of the crime, the results suggest that it did not affect their forensic analysis. This is useful as it may actually support the professional standing of forensic scientists. Secondly, it is useful for forensic scientists to be aware of cognitive bias so that they can incorporate controls into their procedures to minimise or eliminate these factors. This could involve the use of blind analysis where no details regarding the nature of a case are passed onto the forensic scientists. The use of a line-up has also been shown to reduce misidentification, this is where the suspect s evidence is provided along with several others. Miller used this in a study using hair comparison experts. When just one innocent sample was provided for comparison it was wrongly identified as a match 30% of the time. However, when five innocent samples were given in a line-up the error rate was 4%. This research is very useful as it clearly identifies a superior method that could be used in the processing of forensic evidence. Finally, some psychologists have discussed the CSI effect ; this is where the inaccurate portrayal of forensic evidence procedures in crime shows creates an impression that fingerprint analysis and other techniques are 100% accurate. This means that jurors never tend to question this sort of evidence in a trial as they feel it is based on valid and reliable procedures, or that they believe it is superior to other sources of evidence. Publicising research which indicates that there may be bias in these procedures may help to reduce the CSI effect and create more critical consideration of evidence used in trials. Therefore, research into bias in the processing of forensic evidence is useful to society generally, as trials may be conducted more fairly for defendants, leading to less wrongful convictions. In conclusion research into the collection and processing of forensic evidence is useful in that it should improve the validity and reliability in the processing of forensic evidence. Mark/Level: 13 marks Level 4 Good knowledge and understanding of the issue (usefulness) is evident (AO1). The response has made a range of points showing good analysis and evaluation. The answer also considers many different aspects of usefulness which demonstrates excellent understanding and application of the concept. The points made engage with the context of the question (assess) and are supported with evidence. Points are well developed and explanation and elaboration are thorough. The answer is also clear and logically structured. (AO3) How the answer could be improved This is clearly a top band answer. However, it could be argued that the third point could be linked to a specific piece of research. The answer could also benefit from another evaluation point being made. 7 Copyright OCR 2016

37 Question 7b Assess the usefulness of research into the collection and processing of forensic evidence. [15] Sample answer - Level 3 Research into the collection and processing of forensic evidence is useful as it might help forensic scientists to improve their procedures. Research like Hall and Player showed that the thinking of forensic scientists can be influenced by their knowledge about the crime. If the crime is emotional, for example if it was violent, that may influence the comparisons they make. Now they know this they can try to build in controls to stop the scientists knowing any details of the case. Another way that research is useful is that it helps the legal system. Forensic evidence is used in cases to convince juries of the guilt of the defendant. If research shows that the evidence may be flawed, this can help lawyers to defend innocent people. In the past many innocent people have gone to prison for a long time and then been released. However, research into forensic evidence can lack usefulness. Hall and Player s study lacks usefulness as the research lacks ecological validity because it wasn t a real case. The thinking of fingerprint experts may be very different if when they were working on an actual case. Therefore the results may not be accurate as they lack ecological validity and therefore cannot be generalised. We can t be sure how much the details of a real case would affect their ability to match finger prints. Mark/Level: 9 Marks - Level 3 There is good knowledge and understanding of the usefulness debate (AO1). There are a reasonable number of evaluative points included, but they often lack development. Several valid conclusions are made, while competent analysis, interpretation and evaluation skills are demonstrated (AO3). The answer is also well structured. How the answer could be improved Evaluation points need to be developed and explained further. More research evidence could be used in order to effectively support the points that have been made. 8 Copyright OCR 2016

38 Question 7b Assess the usefulness of research into the collection and processing of forensic evidence. [15] Sample answer - Level 1 Research is useful because it shows that fingerprints can be wrong. When the finger print people get emotional they make mistakes. This is bad. They might pick the wrong person and they might even get the electric chair in America. That s why computers are better. Research isn t useful because it was a lab experiment so it lacks ecological validity. It s not reliable or valid because of that. The sample was big though, so that s a positive. Bigger samples are more reliable. Mark/Level: 3 Marks - Level 1 There are a few basic points which are grounded in the research by Hall & Player, however the points are brief and unclear. There is little engagement with the question and evidence to support the points made are either peripheral or absent. Little evidence of understanding is demonstrated and there is some confusion over evaluative issues. How the answer could be improved Points should be explained and supported with evidence. Explicit links should be made to the question. Greater understanding of usefulness should also be demonstrated in the explanation of evaluative points. Furthermore, a wider range of evidence should be included. 9 Copyright OCR 2016

39 Question 7c A series of high profile serious violent crimes have been committed in a small village over the last year. Experts are working on the case but it remains unsolved. There are a number of potential suspects including one who has a previous conviction for assault. Discuss how motivating factors might impact the collection and processing of forensic evidence in this case. [10] Sample answer - Level 4 There are a number of motivating factors which might affect the collection and processing of forensic evidence in this case. Firstly, the fact that the crimes are violent will have an emotional impact. The forensic scientists may be motivated to capture the offender due to the serious nature of the crimes. Secondly, as the crimes here are high profile there would be a lot of media and public pressure upon the Police to solve the crimes. This again is a motivating factor as this could increase the need for a suspect to be linked to the crime. Another factor is that there is a suspect who has a previous conviction for assault. If this information reaches the forensic scientists this could create an expectation bias, this is where the forensic scientists are expecting a particular outcome and are therefore likely to see what they expect, a match. This could also create a confirmation bias, which is where we seek out evidence in order to support our hypothesis, and ignore evidence which contradicts it. In this case the scientist (or the Police who they work with) may believe that this suspect is the murderer and this may increase the risk of an incorrect identification being made. Also suspects who have no previous criminal history may be ignored, the Police may believe that the criminal who committed these crimes must have a previous criminal record and this could influence the collection of forensic evidence. All of these factors might impact the processing of the evidence as many forensic procedures involve the analysis of visual stimuli (e.g. fingerprint comparison, hair & fibre comparison, footprints, blood spatter analysis) and research has shown that visual perception is open to many types of cognitive bias. Mark/Level: 9 Marks - Level 4 There is evidence of good application of knowledge and understanding to the scenario described. A number of factors which might affect the collection and processing of forensic evidence are also effectively explored. The response is well structured and explanations are clear and are well elaborated on. (AO2) How the answer could be improved/ model answer This is a very good answer. However, the conclusion is a little brief, so it would be beneficial for this to be expanded upon further. 10 Copyright OCR 2016

40 Question 7c A series of high profile serious violent crimes have been committed in a small village over the last year. Experts are working on the case but it remains unsolved. There are a number of potential suspects including one who has a previous conviction for assault. Discuss how motivating factors might impact the collection and processing of forensic evidence in this case. [10] Sample answer - Level 3 There are a few different factors which might affect the processing of forensic evidence in this case. There seems to be a prime suspect who is being considered, the one with a previous criminal record. This knowledge might affect the thought processes involved in analysing fingerprints. If they are comparing his fingerprints with crime scene prints, this knowledge might make them more likely to find matches, even if he isn t the murderer. Subjective decisions are open to bias and lack validity. Another factor is that the crime is violent. Hall & Player showed that when crimes are violent, finger print experts reported that this kind of information would alter their thinking. This could be motivating experts to close the case quickly so no one else gets hurt. However, this means that they might see matches where they don t really exist because they want there to be a match. The end result is that incorrect matches might occur, which could lead to the Police focussing on and prosecuting the wrong suspect. Mark/Level: 7 Marks Level 3 The response demonstrates a reasonable application of psychological knowledge and understanding to the scenario and the question. The explanation is clear and the response flows and is competently structured. However, there is not enough included for it to be worthy of the top band. (AO2) How the answer could be improved More depth and detail should be included within the answer and points could be elaborated further with reference to research. The answer could also benefit from the inclusion of another possible motivating factor, which could be identified and explained. 11 Copyright OCR 2016

41 Question 7c A series of high profile serious violent crimes have been committed in a small village over the last year. Experts are working on the case but it remains unsolved. There are a number of potential suspects including one who has a previous conviction for assault. Discuss how motivating factors might impact the collection and processing of forensic evidence in this case. [10] Sample answer - Level 1 In this case there is a man who is violent. The Police think that he might be the killer. They just want to get someone for the murder to make their numbers look good. The experts work for the Police so they might help them get the killer. This happens all the time. As well if the finger printers get emotional because it s a murder, which is serious they can t think straight. Then they might make a mistake. That s why they should use computers like on CSI. Computers are machines, they don t get upset and are more scientific. Mark/Level: 2 Marks - Level 1 There is a basic application of psychological knowledge here. This is a very generalised and anecdotal response. It lacks any psychological explanation and engagement with the question. There is also no research evidence to support the points that have been offered. (AO2) How the answer could be improved The response should engage with the scenario and question much more fully. Knowledge and explanation of possible motivating factors needs to be demonstrated. More detail is required and the answer should be clear and logically structured. Points should be supported by psychology, rather than anecdotes and media references. 12 Copyright OCR 2016

42 The small print We d like to know your view on the resources we produce. By clicking on the Like or Dislike button you can help us to ensure that our resources work for you. When the template pops up please add additional comments if you wish and then just click Send. Thank you. If you do not currently offer this OCR qualification but would like to do so, please complete the Expression of Interest Form which can be found here: OCR Resources: the small print OCR s resources are provided to support the teaching of OCR specifications, but in no way constitute an endorsed teaching method that is required by the Board and the decision to use them lies with the individual teacher. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the content, OCR cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions within these resources. We update our resources on a regular basis, so please check the OCR website to ensure you have the most up to date version. OCR 2016 This resource may be freely copied and distributed, as long as the OCR logo and this message remain intact and OCR is acknowledged as the originator of this work. OCR acknowledges the use of the following content: Square down and Square up: alexwhite/shutterstock.com Please get in touch if you want to discuss the accessibility of resources we offer to support delivery of our qualifications: resources.feedback@ocr.org.uk We will inform centres about any changes to the specification. We will also publish changes on our website. The latest version of our specification will always be the one on our website ( and this may differ from printed versions. Copyright OCR All rights reserved. Copyright OCR retains the copyright on all its publications, including the specifications. However, registered centres for OCR are permitted to copy material from this specification booklet for their own internal use. ocr.org.uk/alevelreform OCR customer contact centre General qualifications Telephone Facsimile general.qualifications@ocr.org.uk OCR is part of Cambridge Assessment, a department of the University of Cambridge. For staff training purposes and as part of our quality assurance programme your call may be recorded or monitored. OCR 2016 Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England. Registered office 1 Hills Road, Cambridge CB1 2EU. Registered company number OCR is an exempt charity.

43 Qualification Accredited A LEVEL Candidate Style Answers PSYCHOLOGY H567 For first teaching in 2015 Unit 03 Environmental Psychology Version 1

44 Contents Introduction 3 Question 8a 4 Mark scheme 4 Specific content 4 High band answer 4 Middle/lower band answer 5 Bottom band answer 5 Question 8b 6 Mark scheme 6 Specific content 6 High band answer 7 Middle/lower band answer 8 Bottom band answer 8 Question 8c 9 Mark scheme 9 Specific content 9 High band answer 10 Middle/lower band answer 10 Bottom band answer 11 2 Copyright OCR 2016

45 Introduction This resource has been produced by a senior member of the A Level Psychology examining team to offer teachers an insight into how the assessment objectives are applied. As these responses have not been through full moderation, they are banded to give an indication of the level of each response. Please note that this resource is provided for advice and guidance only and does not in any way constitute an indication of grade boundaries or endorsed answers. The sample assessment material for these answers and commentary can be found on the A Level Psychology web page and accessed via the following link: Copyright OCR 2016

46 Question 8a Question 8a Using the research by Drews and Doig (2014), explain how ergonomic research can influence workplace design. [10] Mark scheme 9 10 marks Response demonstrates good relevant knowledge and understanding. Appropriate selection of material to address the question. There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is clear and logically structured. The information presented is relevant and substantiated. 6 8 marks Response demonstrates reasonable relevant knowledge and understanding. lacking some detail with some evidence of material to address the question. There is a line of reasoning presented with some structure and the information is in the most-part relevant and supported by some evidence. 3 5 marks Response demonstrates limited relevant knowledge and understanding with some material to address the question but may be related to the general topic area rather than the specific question. The information has some relevance and is presented with limited structure and supported by limited evidence. 1 2 marks Response demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding. Responses will be generalised; lacking focus on the question. The information is basic and unstructured supported by limited evidence and the relationship to the evidence may not be clear. 0 marks No creditworthy response. Specific content Responses must refer to the key study by Drews et al. to access the top band. Knowledge and understanding should be demonstrated through describing the psychological evidence of the key study appropriately and effectively. Candidates should apply knowledge and understanding of the Drews et al. study to explain how the ergonomic design of the VDU display was developed from the results of better reactions and spotting of problems from the graphical display. It is important for the answer to make the link between ergonomic research (such as Drews et al.) and its influence on workplace design. Less detailed answers or answers that simply describe the study without reference to the explanation will only gain marks in the lower bands. High band answer Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices to work with humans both physically and cognitively. This type of research can take into account such factors as attention span, perception and problem solving in order to ensure that the workplace is as effective as possible. One such design was researched by Drews and Doig who worked with nurses in an intensive care unit. They gave half of the 42 nurses who were the participants information about the vital signs, such as blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and heart and respiratory rates, of patients with pulmonary embolisms or septic shock, on a 15-inch desktop computer using a configural vital signs (CVS) display, where the data is presented graphically and in context with each other and the norm. The other half of the participants had a traditional ICU display that consisted of the numerical data as the primary display with trend information accessible through a single key press. They found that the response time of participants in the CVS display condition could identify the patient s state 48% quicker than participants in the control display condition in the septic shock scenario and 38% quicker in the pulmonary embolism scenario. They also were more than a third more accurate when making an assessment of the septic shock and pulmonary embolism patients using the CVS compared to the normal display. This research shows that the design of the workplace, in this case the display, the impact on both speed of processing information, and the accuracy of assessments can be influenced by the display and therefore the patient care in hospital can be improved if ergonomic design based on research such as Drews is used. 4 Copyright OCR 2016

47 Commentary This question does not ask for a description of the study, but the answer refers to the study to answer the question of how ergonomic research can influence workplace design. This answer has good knowledge of the study, and is detailed. It links back to the question regarding how the workplace has been influenced by research in terms of the VDU display. Middle/lower band answer Drew et al s study was carried out on 42 nurses who worked in the intensive care department of a hospital in America. They were given a machine which showed them the information about the patient in terms of a graph, which compared the patient to the norm and could show any changes for the better or worse. They were compared with nurses who had a traditional display which was numbers showing things like heart rate and blood pressure as a figure rather than a graph. Each nurse was then assessed to see how long it took them to identify the patient s status and how accurate they were at making an assessment of the patient. They were tested on patients with pulmonary embolism and septic shock. The findings were that the nurses were much quicker in the graphical display condition at responding to the patients and a third more accurate at making an assessment. Drews concluded that the display helped the nurses make an assessment. Commentary This answer focuses on the study with very little link to the question about how it can influence workplace design. This will therefore keep it in middle of the mark scheme some material to address the question but may be related to the general topic area rather than the specific question. Bottom band answer Ergonomics is the use of research into people in the workplace and how the results of that can improve the workplace. We might design chairs for people that can be moved to particular height and a particular angle and schools will have furniture that is suitable for young children. We can also look at cognition and how the way we think can influence the best workplace design, by using screens and colours which make things clearer. B-17 bombers had switches for the landing gear next to the switches for the landing flaps and the pilots were pressing the wrong switch and landing without their wheels down. Commentary This answer doesn t really address the question, Responses will be generalised; lacking focus on the question. It doesn t refer to the study as requested in the question, and has some basic knowledge and understanding on ergonomics and the workplace with very limited evidence which is not elaborated on to explain how the workplace (the cockpit of the bombers) would be changed in light of this. 5 Copyright OCR 2016

48 Question 8b Question 8b Assess the methodological issues involved when researching the impact of observation in the workplace. [15] Mark scheme marks Response demonstrates good relevant knowledge and understanding. Response demonstrates many points of analysis, interpretation and evaluation covering a range of issues. The argument is competently organised, balanced and well developed. The answer is explicitly related to the context of the question. Effective use of examples where appropriate. Valid conclusions that effectively summarise issues and argument is highly skilled and shows good understanding. There is a well-developed line of reasoning which is clear and logically structured. The information presented is relevant and substantiated marks Response demonstrates good relevant knowledge and understanding with a reasonable number of points of analysis, interpretation and evaluation covering a range of issues. The argument is well organised, but may lack balance or development, and is related to the context of the question. Reasonable use of examples where appropriate. Valid conclusions that effectively summarise issues and arguments are competent and understanding is reasonable. There is a line of reasoning presented with some structure. The information presented is in the mostpart relevant and supported by some evidence. 4 7 marks Response demonstrates reasonable knowledge and understanding with a limited number of points of analysis, and interpretation and evaluation which are limited in range. Argument and organisation is limited, and some points are related to the context of the question. Some valid conclusions that summarise issues and arguments. The information has some relevance and is presented with limited structure. The information is supported by limited evidence. 1 3 marks Response demonstrates basic knowledge and understanding with a few basic points of analysis, interpretation and evaluation and no evidence of argument. Points are not organised, and are of peripheral relevance to the context of the question with sparse use of or no supporting examples. Basic or no valid conclusions that attempt to summarise issues and arguments show little understanding. The information is basic and communicated in an unstructured way. 0 marks No creditworthy response. Specific content Knowledge and understanding is demonstrated through the identification of methodological issues in observations such as bias, demand characteristics or even more likely social desirability bias. These issues must be specifically linked to research in the workplace, such as Drews et al. Evaluation of issues such as sampling are unlikely to address the question as the answer should be linked to the method of observation not carrying out research. Examples from research can show the candidates understanding, and development of an argument will indicate a higher band answer. In order to demonstrate analytical, interpretative and evaluative skills candidates must discuss the issues identified and make conclusions. 6 Copyright OCR 2016

49 High band answer One methodological issue involved in researching the impact of observation is that of researcher bias. This is where a researcher may want to find certain behaviours to support his hypothesis. In the Gilbreths research their aim was to standardise the bricklaying trade and so they may have ensured that their observation of the motions made by workers showed the most efficient movements. This would decrease the validity of the study as there is nothing to suggest the accuracy of the observation. It would be possible to assess this research against other research to ensure concurrent validity, and this would make the research by Gilbreth more useful. Another issue could be the demand characteristics and social desirability shown by participants if they know they are being observed. Mayo s study into the workers at the Hawthorne factory was looking at the impact of lighting levels on production. However it was found that all workers showed an increase in production and this was considered to show the social desirability of working hard, whether in the experimental condition or not, and so just by being observed the behaviour changed. This would reduce the validity, but one way would be to carry out covert observations. Obviously this would result in more natural behaviour but may have ethical considerations. Observational research of workplace behaviour has to be a balance between workers rights to know they are being observed and the need to gain valid data, unaffected by participant interpretations of the research situation. The BPS guidelines for carrying out research now highlight the need for respecting a person s right to know they are participants in research by gaining consent. However it is this that may impact on the behaviour, and simply being observed suggests extraneous variables may affect the dependent variable, as in Mayo s study. These guidelines are current and were not the same for Mayo in the 1920s and 30s in America so we can t judge this research against current British guidelines. However it is an issue which must be taken into consideration for contemporary research. Informed consent must be gained where possible from participants who are being observed in the workplace, and whilst this might make the research more socially responsible it can decrease the validity of the data gathered due to the changes in behaviour caused simply by the observation and not by any manipulation of independent variables. Finally the issue of ecological validity is less likely to cause concern, as observations in the workplace will by their very nature be high in ecological validity. Both Gilbreth and Mayo observed behaviour in the real life setting of the workplace, and as such will gain validity in the accuracy of their data. However the high ecological validity may result in less control over extraneous variables, such as employees experience, or health and these may cause some lack of validity in the data gathered. Commentary This answer focused on methodological issues, as listed in the specification and is linked to observation method not just any methodological issues. Several references to research are given, which are appropriate. There are some valid conclusions (comments) and the structure is logical. 7 Copyright OCR 2016

50 Middle/lower band answer One of the issues involved in researching the impact of observation in the workplace is that of demand characteristics. Demand characteristics are when a participant in research works out what they think the person is looking for and shows that behaviour. For example the Hawthorne study the women in both lighting level groups showed an increase in production even when the researchers only pretended to change the lighting levels, showing the impact of observation in the workplace. Another issue involved in research the impact of observation in the workplace is social desirability. If a person is being observed in the workplace they might want to show socially desirable behaviour, so they would work hard and not take long breaks chatting, this might be why the women in the Hawthorn study showed increased production. This shows that socially describable behaviour might make people act differently from what they would normally. A final issue involved in the research of the impact of observation in the workplace is ecological validity. Studies in the workplace are set in a natural setting - the workplace - and so will have high ecological validity, that is they are like real life so will show real life behaviour. This is better than setting research in a lab where it might be artificial. The Hawthorne study had high ecological validity as it took place in the actual factory so showed real life behaviour. The methodological issues involved in researching the impact of observation in the workplace, are demand characteristics, social desirability and ecological validity and researcher have to be aware of these when carrying out research. Commentary This answer has identified a reasonable number of points but the argument is limited. The points are related to the question, but there is a lack of valid conclusions that summarise the issues and arguments. However there is some evidence of understanding and the use of example is limited to reasonable. It has the hallmarks of a level 2 and 3 boundary answer. Bottom band answer The problems with carrying out research into workplaces is that there can be problems with a limited generalisabilty of the sample. For example the Hawthorn study only looked at women in the workplace and can t be generalised to men. Another problem is the issue of ecological validity in that the observation is carried out in a natural setting and so has high EV therefore showing real life behaviour. The Hawthorne study showed real life behaviour in the factory. Observations can also be carried out by participant or non-participant observers, in a structured or unstructured way and these make a difference to the observer s notes. They might be biased or more detailed, and they might miss some things if they don t have a structure. Commentary Basic analysis points with no development of argument and sparse use of examples. There is some creditworthy material but much that is an evaluation of the problems of carrying out research rather than carrying out observations. It is basic and unstructured. 8 Copyright OCR 2016

51 Question 8c Question 8c Angie is an air traffic controller, one of the most stressful jobs according to suicide statistics. She often has several planes to manage in and out of a busy regional airport. She has to monitor their speed, flight path and height as well as have an ongoing dialogue with the pilot throughout their landing and take-off. It s no wonder she is exhausted at the end of a shift as she is very aware of how easy it would be to miss a vital piece of information. Discuss how a psychologist could design Angie s work station to prevent cognitive overload. [10] Mark scheme 9 10 marks Response demonstrates a good application of psychological knowledge and understanding to the question. Application will be explicit, accurate, with a well-developed line of reasoning which is clear and logically structured. The information presented is relevant and substantiated. 6 8 marks Response demonstrates a reasonable application of psychological knowledge and understanding to a line of reasoning presented with some structure. The information presented is in the most-part relevant and supported by some evidence. 3 5 marks Response demonstrates a limited application of psychological knowledge and understanding to the question and may relate to the general topic area rather than the specific question. The information has some relevance and is presented with limited structure. The information is supported by limited evidence. 1 2 marks Response demonstrates a basic application of psychological knowledge and understanding only partially relevant to the question: Responses will be generalised; with basic information communicated in an unstructured way. The information is supported by limited evidence and the relationship to the evidence may not be clear. 0 marks No creditworthy response. Specific content Candidates are expected to apply their knowledge of cognitive overload to the practical context of designing a work station. Knowledge of cognitive overload should include what can cause it, plus knowledge of the key study on how to design work stations, this knowledge should be specifically applied to the situation of Angie. They could consider graphical display, pushing some data into the background, automatic support, i.e. computers filtering out unnecessary data, the organisation of data into patterns so that unusual data stands out based on perceptual skills, or only using a few colours. To gain top band, candidates should apply their background knowledge specifically to the context of the design of Angie s work station 9 Copyright OCR 2016

52 High band answer Psychologists would need to know what the problem is in terms of cognitive overload and so would then be able to design a work station to reduce this. Bell et al highlighted four aspects of cognitive overload which included Angie s capacity to process the information, which will be limited to the speed of her processing and the speed in which the information is being presented to her. If these stimuli come in too quickly for Angie to process, such as several planes at once needing managing, then she will focus on one task and block out other incoming information which may be more important in Angie s case such as an aeroplane with low fuel, or an engine problem, or on the wrong flight path. Computers could be designed to ensure that only the important information that Angie needed was given to her, and non-essential information was filtered out, but accessible if necessary. Bell also suggested that we give most attention to stimuli that are unpredictable and intense and which need a response to sort the situation. So if Angie does focus on the problem flight then she is more likely to take her attention away from all of the other flights. There is also the problem of the length of time cognitive information is being processed for, as the longer this happens the higher the chance of cognitive overload. Having worked out what might make Angie suffer from cognitive overload a psychologist would need to ensure that Angie can manage the rate at which she is given information, and maybe has to switch some flights to other air controllers who are not so busy at that time. She also needs to know which information is most important, such as planes with problems or if a plane is off the flight path, and this will be attended to according to Bell, but again Angie needs to be able to take her attention away from other non-urgent flights, either by switching to other flight controllers who are not dealing with information or by keeping the non-urgent flights updated with automatic recordings that Angie could instigate. Drews found that more accurate and quicker assessments could be made if the data was presented visually in graphical form, with comparisons for context and normal situations, and this could be how the display was designed for Angie so that they could see in graph from if any plane was not following the normal path, or had highlighted a problem. In order to reduce the chance of cognitive overload Angie also needs to have frequent breaks to stop the length of time she is managing flights from becoming too long and increasing the likelihood of cognitive overload. Commentary This answer uses knowledge of the key research and some information from the background on cognitive overload, to identify the problem and suggest practical solutions based on the context of Angie s job and the psychological research substantiates this. Middle/lower band answer Cognitive overload can be caused by a person s limited ability to process information which is coming in too much at a time. The person may then miss vital information or make mistakes as they can t fully process all of the information. The psychologist needs to ensure that the important information is available for Angie and the less important information is much less visible unless Angie needs it. The psychologist could suggest a visual display rather than a numerical display as Drews found this increased the accuracy and speed of assessment. So they could show an arrow which is green if the plane is a safe distance away and red if it is too close, with colours going from green to red via amber. This would be better than just showing the distance in numbers. If Angie can then focus on the important information, and not take too long processing information she should be able to manage the flights she is responsible for. Commentary This answer does address the question in a limited way, with some evidence to substantiate the suggestion. There is a clear link to the scenario, and there is some understanding of what cognitive overload is and how it might be overcome in a practical way. It is limited rather than reasonable but has features that would suggest it would be at the top end of band Copyright OCR 2016

53 Bottom band answer Angie is an air traffic controller and needs to avoid the exhaustion she feels at the end of each shift. She could do this by taking more breaks, so that she is less tired, and having a chair and desk at the right height so that she is not looking at the wrong angle. She could also have colours to tell her which plane is nearer and which is further away so that she can focus on the immediate planes. Research has shown that by overcoming cognitive overload the workplace can be a better place for everyone. Commentary This answer has some basic information about ergonomics and workplace design, but there is not much focus on the specific scenario, and there is no substantiation to the suggestions in terms of evidence. It is a generalised answer with basic detail, and is unstructured. 11 Copyright OCR 2016

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