plumiApproaches in psychology: AQA A‑Level Psychology questions
Every AQA A-Level Psychology exam question on 4.2.1 Approaches in psychology, 2020–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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![June 2025 Paper 2, question 01: Describe how Skinner investigated the effect of reinforcement on behaviour. [4 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun25-01-qp.webp)
![June 2025 Paper 2, question 02: Outline how evolution might influence behaviour. Give an example from a topic in psychology. [4 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun25-02-qp.webp)
![June 2025 Paper 2, question 03: Describe and evaluate the psychodynamic approach in psychology. [16 marks] You may use this space to plan your answer.](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun25-03-qp.webp)
![June 2024 Paper 2, question 01: Describe the ego and superego according to the psychodynamic approach. [4 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun24-01-qp.webp)
![June 2024 Paper 2, question 02: Outline Wundt’s method of introspection. [4 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun24-02-qp.webp)
![June 2024 Paper 2, question 03: Outline one example of how neurochemistry influences behaviour. [3 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun24-03-qp.webp)
![June 2024 Paper 2, question 05: Explain how a humanistic psychologist might help Karishma to achieve congruence. [3 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun24-05-qp.webp)
![June 2024 Paper 2, question 06: Outline how behaviourists explain learning through the process of operant conditioning. Compare operant conditioning with social learning. [8 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun24-06-qp.webp)
![June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 01: Outline the emergence of psychology as a science. [4 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71812-jun24-01-qp.webp)
![June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 02: Describe how Bandura investigated social learning. [4 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71812-jun24-02-qp.webp)
![June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 03: Briefly explain one limitation of the way Bandura investigated social learning. [2 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71812-jun24-03-qp.webp)
![June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 04: Outline one role of schema according to the cognitive approach. [2 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71812-jun24-04-qp.webp)
![June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 06: Describe and evaluate the biological approach in psychology. [8 marks] You may use this space to plan your answer.](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71812-jun24-06-qp.webp)
![June 2023 Paper 2, question 01: Which of the following statements is correct according to the psychodynamic approach? Shade one circle only. [1 mark] A The ego is present at birth. B The id is](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun23-01-qp.webp)
![June 2023 Paper 2, question 02: State one assumption of the cognitive approach. [1 mark]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun23-02-qp.webp)
![June 2023 Paper 2, question 03: How might vicarious reinforcement explain the different attitudes of Steph’s and Georgie’s daughters to their schoolwork? [4 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun23-03-qp.webp)
![June 2023 Paper 2, question 04: Explain one strength and one limitation of using social learning theory to explain the different attitudes of Steph’s and Georgie’s daughters. [6 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun23-04-qp.webp)
![June 2023 Paper 2, question 05: In what ways might the biological approach explain the different attitudes of Steph’s and Georgie’s daughters to their schoolwork? [4 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun23-05-qp.webp)
![June 2023 Paper 2, question 06: Outline and briefly discuss cognitive neuroscience. [8 marks]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/71822-jun23-06-qp.webp)
All 45 questions on Approaches in psychology, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q01 (4 marks): Describe how Skinner investigated the effect of reinforcement on behaviour. [4 marks]
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q02 (4 marks): Outline how evolution might influence behaviour. Give an example from a topic in psychology. [4 marks]
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q03 (16 marks): Describe and evaluate the psychodynamic approach in psychology. [16 marks] You may use this space to plan your answer.
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q01 (4 marks): Describe the ego and superego according to the psychodynamic approach. [4 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q02 (4 marks): Outline Wundt’s method of introspection. [4 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q03 (3 marks): Outline one example of how neurochemistry influences behaviour. [3 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q04 (2 marks): Karishma has very low self-esteem, even though she achieved very high GCSE grades. She would like to be a lawyer. Although she is studying A-levels, she has del
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q05 (3 marks): Explain how a humanistic psychologist might help Karishma to achieve congruence. [3 marks]
- June 2024, Paper 2, Q06 (8 marks): Outline how behaviourists explain learning through the process of operant conditioning. Compare operant conditioning with social learning. [8 marks]
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q01 (4 marks): Outline the emergence of psychology as a science. [4 marks]
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q02 (4 marks): Describe how Bandura investigated social learning. [4 marks]
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q03 (2 marks): Briefly explain one limitation of the way Bandura investigated social learning. [2 marks]
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q04 (2 marks): Outline one role of schema according to the cognitive approach. [2 marks]
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q06 (8 marks): Describe and evaluate the biological approach in psychology. [8 marks] You may use this space to plan your answer.
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q01 (1 mark): Which of the following statements is correct according to the psychodynamic approach? Shade one circle only. [1 mark] A The ego is present at birth. B The id is
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q02 (1 mark): State one assumption of the cognitive approach. [1 mark]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q03 (4 marks): How might vicarious reinforcement explain the different attitudes of Steph’s and Georgie’s daughters to their schoolwork? [4 marks]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q04 (6 marks): Explain one strength and one limitation of using social learning theory to explain the different attitudes of Steph’s and Georgie’s daughters. [6 marks]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q05 (4 marks): In what ways might the biological approach explain the different attitudes of Steph’s and Georgie’s daughters to their schoolwork? [4 marks]
- June 2023, Paper 2, Q06 (8 marks): Outline and briefly discuss cognitive neuroscience. [8 marks]
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q02 (4 marks): Use your knowledge of genotype and phenotype to explain possible reasons why Ellie and Lucy had different scores. [4 marks]
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q04 (12 marks): Describe and evaluate the cognitive approach in psychology. [12 marks] You may use this space to plan your answer.
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q01 (6 marks): Describe psychosexual stages as outlined in the psychodynamic approach. [6 marks]
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q02 (6 marks): At a local school, teachers took part in Active Lifestyle Week to encourage students to become more active. The week involved daily staff netball matches during
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q03 (4 marks): Whether or not students learn to be more active could depend on mediational processes. Explain how mediational processes might be involved in the students becom
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q04 (8 marks): Discuss self-actualisation and/or conditions of worth in explaining human behaviour. [8 marks]
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q03 (3 marks): Briefly outline how Pavlov investigated classical conditioning. [3 marks]
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q04 (5 marks): Grace’s room is always messy. Her older sister, Lily, keeps her room very tidy. The next time Lily tidies her room, the girls’ mother gives Lily five pounds. Us
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q05 (4 marks): Outline what is meant by cognitive neuroscience. [4 marks]
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q06 (2 marks): Briefly explain one strength of the cognitive approach in psychology. [2 marks]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q01 (4 marks): Outline the way in which Pavlov studied classical conditioning. [4 marks]
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q03 (4 marks): Jemima and Lily are identical twins. Lily complains to Jemima, “I don’t understand it. If we have the same genes, how come you have clearer skin than me and are
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q04 (6 marks): Lily and Jemima have a pet rat, which usually hides in a corner when they try to take it out of its cage. They have tried different ways to stop the rat hiding,
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q05 (8 marks): Compare the humanistic approach with the psychodynamic approach. [8 marks]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q01 (1 mark): What is the correct arrangement of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs from bottom to top of the hierarchy? Shade one circle only. [1 mark] A Physiological, Safety, Lov
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q02 (1 mark): Which of the following shows the correct order of the psychosexual stages of development as proposed by the psychodynamic approach? Shade one circle only. [1 ma
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q03 (2 marks): Describe the role of defence mechanisms according to the psychodynamic approach. [2 marks]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q04 (4 marks): Briefly explain one strength and one limitation of the psychodynamic approach. [4 marks]
- November 2020, Paper 2, Q05 (16 marks): Describe and evaluate operant conditioning as a way of explaining people’s behaviour. Refer to Alison’s approach to reducing plastic waste in your answer. [16 m
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q01 (3 marks): Outline Wundt’s method of introspection. [3 marks]
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q03 (4 marks): Carissa has just started learning to knit and she watches carefully when her aunt is knitting. She thinks about how her aunt holds the needles and how she pulls
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q04.1 (2 marks): Outline one difference between classical conditioning and operant conditioning. [2 marks]
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q04.2 (3 marks): Explain the type of reinforcement being used by the teacher in this investigation. [3 marks]
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q05 (3 marks): Explain one assumption of the cognitive approach. [3 marks]
- November 2020, AS Paper 2, Q06 (3 marks): Explain one limitation of the cognitive approach. [3 marks]
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