Practice Questions and Exam Technique

Here is a short test of 20 marks for you to practice your skills:

december-social-test

(follow the links and find exam tips and model answers for each question)

Try this mock test to give yourself practice at answering a range of question styles under exam conditions: year-12-psychology-test-feb

Here are some model answers for the test above: year-12-psychology-test-feb-ansas

Social Psychology: Summer Internal Mock (2016): Feedback with example of pupil work: paper-1-internal-mock-feedback-clinic

Click here for another full mock social (January 2017 social mock) with model answers and advice on exam technique:

The sets of question below have been put together to provide social mocks of an appropriate length for Paper 1. Each set comprises 18 marks and I have focused on questions which have not been asked in any of the Edexcel SAMs.

Social Mock Mock 1 February 2017

  1.      a. Outline the procedure of Milgram’s (1963) original study of obedience, from the         point where lots were drawn to decide who would be the teacher and who would be       the learner. (3)

b. Outline one methodological weakness of Milgram’s (1963) original study of obedience. Do not use an ethical issue in your answer. (2)

  1. You have learned about surveys as a research method. As part of the course requirements for social psychology you will have conducted a practical investigation using a survey. Evaluate your survey (5)

Your evaluation may include:

  • validity
  • reliability
  • subjectivity
  1. Evaluate social impact theory as an explanation of obedience (8)

Social Psychology Mock 2 February 2017

  1. Milgram controlled many situational variables in his 1963 original study of obedience. Explain why this is a strength of Milgram’s (1963) original study of obedience. (2)
  1. Describe the influence of gender on obedience with reference to research evidence (4)
  1. You will have conducted a survey as part of the course requirements for social psychology. Explain the sampling method used in your survey (2)
  1. Give one weakness of using this sampling method for your survey (2)
  1. In many cities across the UK, social media campaigns have brought large groups of people together to show their solidarity with refugees in war-torn countries. People are able to join these groups at the click of a button and become part of a movement of people who share common values. The members of these groups often come together in real life, to donate many tons of aid to be sent overseas. However, group chat-pages, such as “Donate not Hate” are often also littered with negative comments from people who perceive refugees, and their supporters very negatively. The page supporters sometimes retaliate with equally aggressive comments.

   Discuss whether Social Identity Theory is helpful in explaining why tensions arise          between groups of people in situations such as this (8)

 Social Psychology Mock 3 February 2017

  1. Describe the procedure of Milgram’s variation 7 (2)
  2. Evaluate realistic conflict theory as an explanation of prejudice with reference to research evidence (4)
  3. Outline two situational factors that affect prejudice (4)
  4. Bilal is interested in examining the impact of prejudice and discrimination on university students. He believes that it may be particularly hard for students who move from highly multicultural areas of the country to areas with fewer people from ethnic minority backgrounds. Compare the use of interviews and questionnaires as research methods for examining this topic area (8)

Social Psychology Mock 4 February 2017

  1. Describe the findings of Milgram’s variation 10 (2)
  2. Bilal conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with university students from ethnic minority backgrounds to explore issues regarding social identity and sense of belonging. He is acutely aware of the importance of ethical guidelines when conducting research. Explain two ways in which Bilal can ensure that he protects his participants from psychological harm (4)
  3. Bilal has completed the data collection stage and created full transcripts of the qualitative data he has collected. Describe one way in which he could analyse this data. (2)
  4. Explain one weakness of this type of analysis (2)
  5. To what extent is prejudice affected by personality? (8)

Social Psychology Mock 5 February 2017

  1. Describe one conclusion that can be drawn from the results of Milgram’s variation 13 (2)
  2. Layla and Florence conducted a field experiment in a busy high street to see how changing the wording of the request affected whether people signed a petition to improve the rights of local workers. In condition 1, passers-by in the crowded shopping area were asked by a confederate “would you sign our petition?”. Later on, in condition 2, the confederate used a loudhailer and commanded passers-by to “Sign the petition!”

a. What level of measurement is the data that they collect? (1)

b. Explain one strength of using a field experiment for this experiment (2)

c. Explain one strength of using quantitative data with regard to this experiment (2)

d. Here is the data that the girls collected; determine whether the data supports                          social impact theory or not (2)

e. Sate one problem with Layla and Florence’s experimental design (1)

“would you sign our petition?” “Sign the petition!”
signed the petition 12 9
did not sign the petition 21 5

8. Assess the claim that “prejudice is not affected by culture” (8)

More Social Practice Questions:

There are many examples in world history when two ethnic groups or two nations live peacefully alongside each other for many years. However, conflict then develops, which could last for decades, with one group wanting to destroy the other.

Using your knowledge of psychological research into prejudice and obedience, explain why such conflicts may develop. (5)