CAIE A-Level Psychology AS Variables Questions
Practise identifying, operationalising and controlling variables in psychological research with CAIE Psychology AS questions and mark schemes.
- Syllabus
- 2028–2030
- Course
- Psychology 9990
- Level
- AS
Exam points
- Explain how variables are operationalised and controlled in psychological research.
CAIE A-Level Psychology AS Variables Questions question 1
[Maximum number: 6]
A parrot rescue centre has some new parrots which need to learn to enter a cage. Their trainer is planning a procedure using operant conditioning to teach the parrots to enter the cage.
Question (a)
(a)
The success of the procedure can be measured by counting the number of days it takes each parrot to learn to enter the cage.
Question (i)
(i)
Suggest two practical problems with this measurement of success.
1
2
Suggest two practical problems with this measurement of success.
1:....
2:....
Learning in 1 minute, 1 hour or 1 day would all look the same;
(linked limitation)
So the data would be invalid (loss of discriminatory power);
(detail)
Parrots may all learn on first day;
(linked limitation) so ceiling effect;
(detail)
some parrots may go in then straight out;
(linked limitation) so not a useful measure for aim;
(detail)
parrots may focus for various lengths of time;
(linked limitation)
so not all parrots have same amount of training time;
(linked detail)
ethical limitations =0 [NAQ]
4
Limitation =1}[×2]
Either limitation or detail must be linked for 2 marks
Detail = 1\}
Individual differences between parrots =0= NAQ
Question (ii)
(ii)
For one of the problems you suggested in part (b)(i):
Suggest one way this problem could be solved.
Problem 1 or 2:
1 min =1 day / Ceiling effect:
Make interval shorter / avoids a ceiling effect / easier to distinguish between learning speed / bigger range of scores is possible;
(way) eg count hours;
(detail)
straight out again:
add time limit to 'enter cage';
(way)
e.g. and 'stay inside for 30 seconds';
(detail)
parrot focus:
only train in short bouts;
(way)
or stop when parrot isn't focussing;
(detail)
2
Way = 1
Detail = 1
The prompt (Problem: 1 or 2) should be used. If not clear, credit if possible
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