Mark scheme (A-level) : Paper 3 Issues and options ... - AQA

1 A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY 7182/3 - Issues and options in psychology Mark scheme 7182 June 2018 Version/Stage: Final MARK scheme A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY 7182/3 JUNE 2018 Copyright 2018 AQA and its licensors. All rights reserved. AQA retains the copyright on all its publications. However, registered schools/colleges for AQA are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use, with the following important exception: AQA cannot give permission to schools/colleges to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal use within the centre. Mark schemes are prepared by the Lead Assessment Writer and considered, together with the relevant questions, by a panel of subject teachers. This mark scheme includes any amendments made at the standardisation events which all associates participate in and is the scheme which was used by them in this examination. The standardisation process ensures that the mark scheme covers the students responses to questions and that every associate understands and applies it in the same correct way.

2 As preparation for standardisation each associate analyses a number of students scripts. Alternative answers not already covered by the mark scheme are discussed and legislated for. If, after the standardisation process, associates encounter unusual answers which have not been raised they are required to refer these to the Lead Assessment Writer. It must be stressed that a mark scheme is a working document, in many cases further developed and expanded on the basis of students reactions to a particular Paper . Assumptions about future mark schemes on the basis of one year s document should be avoided; whilst the guiding principles of assessment remain constant, details will change, depending on the content of a particular examination Paper . Further copies of this mark scheme are available from MARK scheme A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY 7182/3 JUNE 2018 3 Level of response marking instructions Level of response mark schemes are broken down into levels, each of which has a descriptor.

3 The descriptor for the level shows the average performance for the level. There are marks in each level. Before you apply the mark scheme to a student s answer read through the answer and annotate it (as instructed) to show the qualities that are being looked for. You can then apply the mark scheme . Step 1 Determine a level Start at the lowest level of the mark scheme and use it as a ladder to see whether the answer meets the descriptor for that level. The descriptor for the level indicates the different qualities that might be seen in the student s answer for that level. If it meets the lowest level then go to the next one and decide if it meets this level, and so on, until you have a match between the level descriptor and the answer. With practice and familiarity you will find that for better answers you will be able to quickly skip through the lower levels of the mark scheme . When assigning a level you should look at the overall quality of the answer and not look to pick holes in small and specific parts of the answer where the student has not performed quite as well as the rest.

4 If the answer covers different aspects of different levels of the mark scheme you should use a best fit approach for defining the level and then use the variability of the response to help decide the mark within the level, ie if the response is predominantly level 3 with a small amount of level 4 material it would be placed in level 3 but be awarded a mark near the top of the level because of the level 4 content. Step 2 Determine a mark Once you have assigned a level you need to decide on the mark. The descriptors on how to allocate marks can help with this. The exemplar materials used during standardisation will help. Answers in the standardising materials will correspond with the different levels of the mark scheme . These answers will have been awarded a mark by the Lead Examiner. You can compare the student s answer with the standardised examples to determine if it is the same standard, better or worse than the example. You can then use this to allocate a mark for the answer based on the Lead Examiner s mark on the example.

5 You may well need to read back through the answer as you apply the mark scheme to clarify points and assure yourself that the level and the mark are appropriate. Indicative content in the mark scheme is provided as a guide for examiners. It is not intended to be exhaustive and you must credit other valid points. Students do not have to cover all of the points mentioned in the Indicative content to reach the highest level of the mark scheme . An answer which contains nothing of relevance to the question must be awarded no marks. MARK scheme A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY 7182/3 JUNE 2018 4 Key to Annotations Annotation Meaning/Use ? Unclear AE Attempts evaluation APP Application BOD Benefit of the doubt X Cross/Incorrect EVAL Evaluation HLINE Horizontal Line IRRL Irrelevant KU Knowledge and Understanding NAQ Not answered the question REP Repeat SEEN Reviewed but no marks awarded Tick Correct point Tick Plus Development of point Dis DIS DNF Does not follow ELAB Elaboration GP Good point JUST level or point just awarded LF Loses focus REL?

6 Relevance RQ Repeats Question VAGU Indicates that the point made is vague VL Very limited WEAK Indicates that the point made is weak On Page comment On Page Comment Highlight Highlight MARK scheme A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY 7182/3 JUNE 2018 5 Section A Issues and debates in Psychology 0 1 Cultural relativism , ethnocentrism, holism and universality are four concepts relevant to Issues and debates in psychology. Which definition (A-E) best describes cultural relativism ? Which definition (A-E) best describes ethnocentrism? Which definition (A-E) best describes holism? Which definition (A-E) best describes universality? In your answer book, list the four concepts and write the appropriate letter (A-E) next to each one. A letter may only be used once. [4 marks] Marks for this question: AO1 = 4 1 mark for each correct match Cultural relativism A Ethnocentrism D Holism C Universality B Can allow credit for letters without concepts, as long as the letters are in the right order.

7 If any letter is used more than once, no credit for that letter. 0 2 What is a 'nomothetic approach ? Suggest one limitation of a nomothetic approach. [2 marks] Marks for this question: AO1 = 1 and AO3 = 1 1 mark for a brief, clear definition: a nomothetic approach involves studying a sample in order to formulate general laws/principles of behaviour (or similar). Plus 1 mark for a brief, coherent limitation. Possible limitations: cannot find out rich/in-depth information about single cases less meaningful as tends to use quantitative measures. Credit other relevant limitations. MARK scheme A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY 7182/3 JUNE 2018 6 0 3 Explain why measuring heart rate in this situation could be an example of biological reductionism. [2 marks] Marks for this question: AO2 = 2 1 mark for each of the following points: excitement is a broad construct/complex behaviour/has many aspects heart rate is a narrow, biological/physical component/unit/element/factor in overall excitement.

8 0 4 Outline two non-biological ways of measuring of excitement that the student could also use in this situation. [4 marks] Marks for this question: AO3 = 4 For each outline award marks as follows: 2 marks for a clear and coherent outline with some elaboration. 1 mark for a limited/muddled outline. Possible content: questionnaire measuring attitude questions assess how the participant feels about going on the roller coaster rating scale of own excitement the participant could rate their perceived level of excitement on a scale of 1 10 observation of non-verbal behaviour whilst waiting in the queue; eg tallying appropriate behavioural categories interviews before/after the participant has been on the ride asking questions about how they felt/whether they enjoy other exciting occasions/events/how they cope with excitement, etc. Do not credit measures of biological function. Just naming a method eg questionnaire/interview/observation is not sufficient.

9 MARK scheme A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY 7182/3 JUNE 2018 7 0 5 Explain one strength and one limitation of a reductionist approach in psychology. [4 marks] Marks for this question: AO3 = 4 In each case award marks as follows: 2 marks for a clear and coherent strength/limitation with some elaboration. 1 mark for a limited/muddled strength/limitation. Possible strengths: studying basic units of behaviour underpins the scientific approach/adds weight to scientific research more objective to consider basic components of behaviour leads to greater clarity of understanding, eg at the chemical, cellular level better able to isolate cause when studying basic units of behaviour, eg can see which chemicals are implicated in certain behavioural disorders, then may be able to effect treatment. parsimonious the simplest explanation is often the best Possible limitations: simplistic and ignores the complex interaction of many factors leads to us losing sight of behaviour in context less able to understand the behaviour because we do not understand its meaning - loss of validity ignores emergent properties/distracts from a more appropriate level of explanation Credit other relevant strengths and limitations.

10 MARK scheme A-LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY 7182/3 JUNE 2018 8 0 6 Discuss one or more ethical implications of research in psychology. Refer to at least one topic you have studied in psychology in your answer. [8 marks] Marks for this question: AO1 = 3 and AO2 = 2 and AO3 = 3 Level Marks Description 4 7 - 8 Knowledge of ethical implication/s of research in psychology is accurate with some detail. Application to topic is effective. Discussion is thorough and effective. Minor detail and/or expansion of argument is sometimes lacking. The answer is clear, coherent and focused. Specialist terminology is used effectively. 3 5 - 6 Knowledge of ethical implication/s of research in psychology is evident but there are occasional inaccuracies/omissions. Application to topic and/or discussion is mostly effective. The answer is mostly clear and organised but occasionally lacks focus. Specialist terminology is used appropriately. 2 3 - 4 Limited knowledge of ethical implication/s of research in psychology is present.