Psychology Resources

How To Structure A-Level Psychology Essays (16 marks questions)

1.First Identify the command words and the key terms in the question:

  • Outline --> Describe AO1 knowledge
  • Explain --> Give reasons 
  • Discuss --> AO1 +AO3 ( Evaluation required)
  • Evaluate --> Mainly AO3
  • Compare --> Similarities and Differences
  • Apply, Refer to --> AO2  (Only if there is a scenario to the question)
  • It is important that the key terms are accurately defined. ( See the example below)

2. Essay Structure (P E E L  Method):

  • P-Point
  • E-Evidence
  • E- Example /Explain why it matters
  • L- Link back to question

3.How many paragraphs?

 For AO1 + AO3:

  •  AO1- 2-3 paragraphs ( It depends on what the question asks)- 6 marks
  • AO3- 4 Evaluation points- 10 marks

For AO1 +AO2 + AO3 types of essay :

  • AO1 – 2-3 paragraphs ( 6 marks)
  • AO2 – 4-5 points ( 4 marks)
  • AO3- 3  evaluation paragraphs ( 6 marks)

4. What makes high-level AO3?

  • Specific Research Support
  • Counterarguments
  • Methodological issues
  • Issues & Debates
  • Real-World application
  • Comparisons to other theories

5. Example Structure 

Discuss the behavioural approach to explaining phobias ( 16 marks)

( It is important the the question is addressed throughout the essay)

  • AO1:
  • Classical Conditioning ( Watson and Rayner- Little Albert)
  • Operant conditioning  ( Negative reinforcement)
  • Two-process model ( Mowrer)
  • Explain what is  a phobia

 

  • AO3:
  • 4 Evaluation points , following PEEL structure

Example : One limitation  of the behavioural approach  is that it is incomplete explanation. Behavioural explanations focus on explaining behaviour. The  central behaviour in phobias  is avoidance- this is when the individual with a phobia avoids the phobic stimulus. However phobias have emotional and cognitive characteristics , not only avoidance responses.Evidence that there is a cognitive component  comes from a study , in which researchers asked phobic participants and a control group to approach a spider .Findings suggest that the phobic group estimated the size of the spider  to be larger than the control group which suggests that cognitive factors such  as distorted perceptions can influence  how people  experience  and interpret stimuli.This suggests that the two-process model is not a full explanation for the development of phobias.

6.Examiner Tips

  • Always use specialist terminology
  • Link Evaluation directly to the theory
  • Quality> Quantity
  • Balance evaluation ( Mix strengths and limitations)

 

 

 

 

A Petrova