Edexcel A-Level Psychology A2 7.2.1 Brady 1958 Executive Monkeys Topic Practice

AO1 (4 marks), AO3 (4 marks)
AO1
- Brady (1958) tested 8 rhesus monkeys in pairs by subjecting one to
a stressor.
- Each executive monkey was responsible for pressing a lever and was
shocked if this was not completed on time.
- The creation of stress in the executive monkey was the psychological
stress of decision responsibility.
- The conditioned monkeys from all four pairs of monkeys died
between 9 and 48 days of the experiment due to developing ulcers
from the stress.
AO3
- Rhesus monkeys may not represent people as their physiology/brain
functioning differs, so is not generalisable to effects of human stress.
- Humans do not usually receive electric shocks for not completing
tasks, lowering task validity to human experiences of stress.
- Michie (2002) found human stress can result from responsibility so
Brady's findings may be generalisable to effects in the human
population.
- Selye (1951) claimed stress also results in stomach ulcers in the
human population, so Brady's (1958) study is supporting evidence
for the effects of stress in the human population.
Look for other reasonable marking points.

(8)

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\hline Level

Mark

Descriptor

AO1 (4 marks), AO3 (4 marks)
Candidates must demonstrate an equal emphasis between knowledge and
understanding vs assessment/conclusion in their answer.

0

No rewardable material.

Level 1

1-2
Marks

Demonstrates isolated elements of knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Generic assertions may be presented. Limited attempt to address the
question. (AO3)

Level 2

3-4
Marks

Demonstrates mostly accurate knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Candidates will produce statements with some development in the form
of mostly accurate and relevant factual material, leading to a generic or
superficial assessment being presented. (AO3)

Level 3

5-6
Marks

Demonstrates accurate knowledge and understanding. (AO1)
Arguments developed using mostly coherent chains of reasoning. leading
to an assessment being presented which considers a range of factors.
Candidates will demonstrate understanding of competing
arguments/factors but unlikely to grasp their significance. The
assessment leads to a judgement but this may be imbalanced. (AO3)

Level 4

7-8
Marks

Demonstrates accurate and thorough knowledge and understanding.
(AO1)
Displays a well-developed and logical assessment, containing logical
chains of reasoning throughout. Demonstrates an awareness of the

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significance of competing arguments/factors leading to a balanced
judgement being presented. (AO3)