Review of Mock PSYA4 Exam

December 2009

Review

BATs

Use strategies to improve my grade in the exam

Use a mark scheme to assess performance

The PSYA4 Exam

85 marks Parts A (Schizophrenia) and B

(Addiction) = 25 marks each9 marks description (AO1), 16 marks

Evaluation (AO2/3)Roughly 10/25 min time split.Part C – Research Methods = 3545 mins. How Science Works (AO3)

Top Tips

The difference between a good answer and a mediocre one is that you have correctly identified what the examiner wants and provides it.

Make sure the content is relevant. Make a brief plan – and then stick to it!! Jot down AO1 items and then AO2 (double the

amount!!) Highlight the command words and key content

points

Top Tips

At the start don’t waste time re-stating the question!!

You have very little time so make sure you can write succinctly – BUT with enough depth and breadth to pick up marks

In other words try not to repeat yourself or waffle!!

Top Tips – Evaluation Skills

For 16-13 marks you can …. Analyse, evaluate and apply to show good

understanding of the topic Essay is well focused on the question. Good line of argument Elaborated and explained/justified critical

points Used relevant issues, debates and

approaches (Synoptic points) Used psychological language effectively Ideas expressed clearly and fluently

Where was the A02/3?

Top Tips – Which Order?

Some like to start with the topic they find easiest

Others like to start with the hardest!Part C may be a good one to start with

as the answers are shorter and it is easy to pick up marks

Leave a space at the beginning and end so if you have time you can add in an intro and a conclusion

Timing is everything!!

Take a watch into the exam35mins each for Part A and B45 mins for part C10 mins for planning and re-readingDo not overrun each time!!It is better to do both essays getting 15

marks and 20 for part C than 2 fantastic 20/25 mark essays!

Good examples!

Peer reviewUse words like reliability and validityReview undertaken by experts in the

field of addictionMethods used and interpretation of the

finding will have been scrutinised before publishing

A report published by experts carries more weight than opinion/hearsay

Good examples!

Peer review

‘because the published studies are more valid (how?) as a research and has a greater chance of being closer to the facts and how it is in reality. Unlike public opinion which can be biased and interfered by the influence of the researcher’

Good examples!

Making it clear you are talking about Initiation or maintenance

‘The adult could also learn through classical (actually this should be operant!) conditioning, through punishment and reward, the young person would start smoking because he saw someone else have a cigarette and the maintenance would be that he had a pleasurable experience before.’

Make sure you get the

theories right!!

Good examples!

Making it clear you are talking about initiation or maintenance

‘ maintenance of this addiction may come as the person begins to associate , through classical conditioning, moments of popularity and peer acceptance with smoking. Visual and verbal cues surround them (give examples). In their daily life, providing reminders of positive smoking experiences constantly, along with a recurring urge to smoke.’

Vulnerability

Use several models – biological, learning cognitive and individual differences to explain this – this way you show good synopticity

Content may include … Genetic background – dopamine levels Other biological factors Indiv differences – self esteem, attributional

style, addictive personality Current levels of stress, weight concerns e.t.c

Vulnerability

‘ A person may have a genetic predisposition …….Also peer pressure is a big thing (ugh!!) so at a young age it is very easy to follow a crowd and not stick to your family values.’

Research Methods

a. Independent groups – learn this!!!b. Extraneous variables – to reduce participant

variables (such as…) use random allocation, such as..

c. Mann Whitney – ordinal data, 2 tailed, test of difference – LEARN these!!!

d. The probability of the results occurring by chance is equal to or less than 5 tomes in 100

e. Non- directional hypothesis, didn’t know direction of the difference.

Research Methods

f. 10 Marks here – elaborate, look for everything and comment on how good the methodology was…

State average scores and range/sd for both conditions

Explain what the mean and sd tell us How realistic was the task Relaibility – how ere those that generated an

idea identified in the group condition What constitutes an ‘idea’

Research Methods

g 12 Marks here –Clear well reasoned design with sufficient detail for

replication Operationalised hypothesis (directional as research

suggested so in last expt) Method – correlation IV=age in years, DV= number of ideas generated Sampling method and size Procedure – step by step including ethical

considerations – consent/right to withdraw Reliability and validity addressed

This was much better

done!!

Assessing Performance

Read the sample essay on p 256Now use the mark scheme to give it a

mark out of 25Jot down how you would improve on it!!Share your mark and comments with

othersDo you agree?

Have a go!!

Choose any of the questions in the bottom right hand corner of each Addiction spread.

Read up on the topic – 5 minsPlan out an essay - 5minsWrite your essay without the book10 mins A0125 mins A02!!

You could do this as a way to revise with other

questions