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Psychology Revision. Examiner’s Report. Most students pass the exam – very few fail! Many students could easily get higher grades than they do. Students get lower grades because they do not answer the question directly. You need to write in a precise and analytical way to get the top grades.
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Examiner’s Report • Most students pass the exam – very few fail! • Many students could easily get higher grades than they do. • Students get lower grades because they do not answer the question directly. • You need to write in a precise and analytical way to get the top grades.
Unit 4 – Child Development & Options 3 questions 1hour 30 mins. 30 mins. Per ques. Piaget (Q.2) Anxiety & Eating disorders (Q.6) Human Relationships (Q.13) Substance Abuse (Q. 15) both in Contemporary topics The Exam Structure
Unit 5 Answer 3 Questions 2 hours 40 mins per question A plan is essential Section A Perspectives – 1 ques. Out of 2 Section B Debates – 1 ques out of 2 Methods – 1 ques. You must answer, (bring calculator) Synoptic assessment
Define the terms used in the question in your opening paragraph. This helps you to answer the question Produce a decoding statement which shows you understand the question. Produce evidence to support your arguments. Refer to theory and research. Plan your answer and stick to your plan. Four steps to Success
Define the Terms • Students tend to pick up on one word and run with it. • If you define all the key terms in the question you won’t do this. • Use these definitions in an opening paragraph which decodes the question.
Decoding the Question • Decoding the question involves you demonstrating to the exam marker at the beginning of your answer that you understand • It focuses on what you need to do to produce a successful answer. • Provides a check that you are answering the question asked. Return frequently to the question during longer answers.
What evidence is needed? • You are not expected to reproduce all the textbook evidence in your answer. • You only need to select sufficient evidence to support your argument, make sure theory and research are described accurately. • The relevance of evidence is more important than quantity.
The best answers have plans • Planning lets you organize your argument and evidence. • Time spent planning reduces your thinking time during writing. • Plans can be marked if you run out of time.
Let’s try it ! • Here’s a perspectives question from Jan. 2003 • “Describe and discuss contributions of the psychoanalytic perspective to understanding human behaviour. In your answer, refer to at least two topics in psychology that you have studied.” (12 marks)
The terms to define • Describe – give a detailed account of.. • Discuss - Explain, then give two sides of the issue and any implications. • Contributions – Theory or research given or put forward • Psychoanalytic perspective – Freud’s theories and research evidence • Understanding human behaviour – how has psychoanalytic research helped?
Decoding the question • Use the definitions you have arrived at in a decoding statement. • Do not make this a single sentence rewording the question. • Produce an introductory paragraph. • You can use this to state or add an opening position.
The opening paragraph • The founder of the psychodynamic approach within psychology was Freud (1896-1939). He is famous for introducing new and controversial theories for human behaviour into psychology. Much of the terminology he developed is in common usage today eg. Denial, repression. In this answer I will attempt to give a detailed outline of what I think his main contributions to psychology are and also to discuss some of the criticisms that are still applied to psychoanalytic theory today. In doing this I will refer to other topics I have studied within my psychology course.
Positive contributions – Importance of childhood eg. Eating disorders can begin in childhood. Unconscious motivations effect behaviour eg anxiety disorders. Complete theory of personality, id, ego etc. Explanation provided for neurotic behaviour. Comprehensive therapy which is still used today eg. Trauma. Positive Contributions of Psychodynamic approach.
The Oedipus and electra complexes have very little support in research. Theory of child development is based only a few children. Eg. Little Hans Overemphasis on sexual motivations are a reaction to sexual repression of the time. Oedipal theory may cause child sexual abuse and rape to be treated as less serious. Psychoanalytic therapy may take years to complete and may cause more problems than it solves. Refer to false memory syndrome. Research evidence is very weak overall. Negative contributions of psychodynamic approach
Concluding paragraph • Refer back to the original question. • Try and tie all the threads of the question together – state your opinion. • Eg. I believe that the positive contributions of this approach outweigh the negative aspects of the approach. • Make sure to justify your position, so that your thinking is clear and logical.
Summary • Students do not often fail the exam • You will achieve top grades by answering the question set and not pouring out all your knowledge based on one or two words. • Follow the pattern, define, decode, evidence and plan. • Plan your exam time well.
Do it! • Go on you can do it! • Prepare by doing as many practice and timed questions as you can before the exam. • Don’t forget to revise and prepare revision notes on methods. • Relax and enjoy yourself. View the exam as an opportunity to show how good you are. • Be confident and believe - you can do it!
