Practise Edexcel IAL Psychology questions on stress, health behaviour and interventions, applying evidence to explain risk and evaluate treatment choices.
Describe the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis in relation to stress.
AO1 (2 marks)
Credit up to two marks for accurate description.
For example:
- When the HPA is activated due to a stressor chemicals are
released into the blood stream, including CRF (1). CRF goes to the
pituitary gland that releases ACTH which increases the production
of cortisol (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
(2)
Justify whether the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is a valid explanation of stress.
AO1 (1 mark), AO3 (2 mark)
Credit one mark for identification of the decision (AO1)
Credit up to two marks for justification of the decision (AO3)
For example:
- The explanation is not valid as it is a reductionist explanation that
ignores individual differences in cognitive processing and
responses to stressors (1), e.g. Mason (1975) found that different
participants produced different levels of stress hormones despite
being presented with the same stressor (1), so stress is more than
a physical response to a given situation reducing the validity of
the HPA axis as an explanation of stress (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
(3)
Francesco is worried about problems he is having at work. This has continued for several months and he is showing signs of stress. He has started to have trouble recalling information and has had several days off work due to illness. He often finds it difficult to go to sleep and to wake up. Francesco does not visit friends or family as much as he used to.
Francesco visits the doctor who diagnoses him with high blood pressure, poor circulation and high blood sugar levels.
Describe how cortisol may have affected Francesco's physical health.
AO2 (2 marks)
Credit up to two marks for accurate description in relation to scenario.
For example;
- Cortisol weakens the immune system which is why Francesco has
illnesses (1) and it is also involved in glucose metabolism and
insulin regulation which could result in Francesco's high blood
sugar levels (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
(2)
Describe how regions of the brain associated with stress may contribute to the signs and symptoms of stress that Francesco is experiencing.
AO2 (4 marks)
Credit up to four marks for accurate description in relation to scenario.
For example;
- The hippocampus becomes overwhelmed with stress hormones
which could result in Francesco's memory recall problems (1). His
sleep disruption could increase his stress due to circadian
disruption effects on the prefrontal cortex disrupting executive
functioning and cognitive flexibility (1). Francesco's high blood
pressure could be a result of increased amygdala activity which is
related to white blood cell production (1) which can also cause
plaques in arteries reducing blood circulation (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
(4)
Lucy lost her job six months ago and has started to have difficulty sleeping. She finds that her heart rate increases when she is faced with new situations.
Lucy has been trying to find another job, but when she attends interviews she struggles to concentrate and cannot focus on the questions being asked. Lucy visited a doctor who diagnosed her with an anxiety disorder and stress.
Describe how the prefrontal cortex may be associated with Lucy's stress.
AO2 (2 marks)
Credit up to two marks for accurate description in relation to scenario.
For example:
- Lucy may have found that being exposed to the stressful situation
of losing her job has impaired the working memory function of her
prefrontal cortex (1). This means that she finds it difficult to focus
on the questions in interviews and loses concentration (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
(2)
Describe how cognitive behavioural therapy could be used to help Lucy with her anxiety disorder.
AO2 (3 marks)
Credit up to three marks for accurate description in relation to scenario.
For example:
- A therapist will help Lucy to understand how her faulty and
negative thought processes may have led her to struggle with new
situations (1). The therapist can then help Lucy identify any
maladaptive thoughts she has about her abilities in employment
and work (1) and then enable her to develop alternative behaviour
responses to her thoughts to help her regain concentration and
focus when she is being interviewed (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
(3)
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