Potential Exam Questions

Biological Level of Analysis (SAQ)

1. Explain how determinism relates to the biological perspective.
2. Explain why the reductionist approach is regarded as controversial.
3. Describe one study from the biological perspective and discuss how this study has contributed to our understanding of behavior.
4. Outline one strength and one limitation of the biological perspective in explaining one psychological or social question.
5. Explain how one hormone influences human behavior.
6. Explain how evolution has influenced human behavior.
7. Explain how one or more neurotransmitters affect human behavior.
8. Explain how one study demonstrates localisation of the brain.
9. Distinguish between localisation and lateralisation.

(LAQ)

1. Describe one study from the biological perspective and discuss how this study has contributed to our understanding of behavior.
2. Evaluate two research methods that are used in the biological perspective.
3. Discuss ethical considerations related to genetic influences of behavior.
4. Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the BLA, with reference to at least one study.
5. Discuss the use of brain imaging technoloqies to investigate the relationship between biological factors and behavior.

Cognitive Level of Analysis (SAQ)

1. Outline one assumption of the cognitive perspective. Identify one key concept based on the assumption outlined above and explain their relationship.
2. Explain how one key concept from the cognitive perspective helps us understand behavior.
3. Explain one theoretical explanation of human behavior in the cognitive perspective.
4. Describe one study that investigated the schema theory.
5. Explain cognitive dissonance.
6. Outline two principles that define the cognitive level of analysis.
7. Outline how emotion affects one cognitive process.
8. Describe one ethical consideration related to one research study at the cognitive level.
9. Explain how one biological factor can affect a cognitive process.

(LAQ)

1. Assess the extent to which one model of information has helped in understanding cognitive processes.

2. Explain the extent to which free will and determinism relate to the cognitive perspective.

3. To what extent do social or cultural factors affect one cognitive process?

4. To what extent is one cognitive process reliable?

Social Cultural Level of Analysis (SAQ)

1. Describe one theory that is relevant to the social learning theory.
2. Describe one theory that is relevant to the social identity theory.
3. Outline two errors in attribution.
4. Describe one theory or study on the formation of stereotypes.
5. Explain one compliance technique.
6. Explain why one particular method has been utilised in the socio-cultural level of analysis.
7. Distinguish between emic and etic.
8. Explain factors that influence conformity.
9. With reference to a study, explain conformity.
10. Discuss the use of technology in investigating the relationship between cognitive factors and behavior.

(LAQ)

1. Using empirical studies, explain two research studies that were employed by psychologists in the socio-cultural level of analysis.
2. Evaluate one or more applications of one theory in the socio-cultural level of analysis.
3. Discuss factors influencing conformity.
4. Outline and evaluate schema theory with reference to studies.
5. Evaluate social identity theory with reference to relevant studies.
6. Discuss factors influencing conformity.
7. Discuss the reliability of one cognitive process.

BLA: The Role of Hormones in Human Behavior

Arnold Berthold (1849)

An experiment demonstrating the role of hormones in animals. 

Hormone tested: testosterone

Animal tested: roosters

Prior Knowledge: Testosterone is a hormone that is responsible for:  

1. Development of male sex organs in an human embryo 

2. Secondary development of sex characteristics in males during puberty 

3. Sex drive throughout a male's life 

Arnold Berthold was the curator of a local zoo in Gottingen. He performed one of the first endocrine / hormone experiments in history.

Aim: Berthold aimed to identify the effects of testosterone in behavior through the castration of roosters

Subjects: six castrated roosters

Method:

- Quasi-experiment: a quasi-experiment is a study that has most of the characteristics of a normal study, but is unable to control some potential factors (such as age or sex of the subjects)

Berthold surgically castrated six healthy roosters. Castration refers to when the testicles are removed, which consequentially stops the subject's production of the hormone testosterone. Then, Berthold divided the roosters into three groups of two roosters.

• Group 1: control group - the roosters were kept capons 
• Group 2: the roosters were transplanted the testicles of another rooster
• Group 3: the roosters were re-implanted with their own testicles

Hypothesis: unknown

Although the hypothesis is unknown, because Berthold was trying to identify the roles of testosterone in male behavior, it is likely that he predicted that testosterone was involved in the male-specific behavior of roosters.

Results:

It was observed that the castrated roosters were less aggressive, less masculine, and had lost their interest towards hens. Berthold observed the castrated roosters to have a lesser tendency to crow, fight and mate.

The roosters that had reacquired testicles (group 2 & group 3) behaved normally, as any other uncastrated rooster.

Autopsies of the roosters in groups 2 and 3 revealed that the re-implanted testicles did not re-establish nerve connections with the rest of the body.

Conclusion:

Testicles release a hormone (testosterone) that influences aggression and dominant male behaviors.

Connection to the topic: hormones in human behavior:

- Berthold was able to identify that a biochemical released by the testes (i.e. testicles) was largely the cause of male characteristics and male behavior. This is because the roosters that were kept castrated (group 1) did not show any male specific behaviors and also had lost physical characteristics of male roosters - see image below. 

Group 1 / Group 2 / Group 3

Evaluation:

- Berthold only tested animals: validity of this experiment is only relative to the tested species

- ^ However, human males also have testicles and their endocrine systems also secrete testosterone, so the results may be highly relevant to the human male population

- Animals were harmed in this experiment

- No humans were harmed in this experiment

- The experiment was performed in the mid 19th century: outdated

- This study encourages the study of the endocrine system and hormones in relation to human behavior.