Study Learning theories practical investigation in the Pearson Edexcel A Level Psychology specification, with the knowledge and exam application needed for accurate mark-scheme…
In your studies of learning theories and development, you will have conducted a practical investigation using an observational method.
You will have gathered quantitative and qualitative data and carried out a thematic analysis on your qualitative data.
Describe the results of your learning theories and development practical investigation.
AO2 (4 marks)
Credit up to four marks for accurate description in relation to the practical
For example:
- When totalling our tally chart we found that men are two times more
helpful than females (1). The mean number of times men were helpful
was 8.2 and the mean number of times that females were helpful was
4.1 (1). Our results were significant as the calculated value for chi-square
was higher than the critical value (1). From our thematic analysis we
found that the most helpful behaviour was holding doors open for
someone else, which occurred a total of 17 times (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
Answers must relate to conducting observations to gather qualitative
and/or quantitative data.
(4)
Explain two strengths of your learning theories and development practical investigation.
1
2
AO2 (2 marks), AO3 (2 marks)
Credit one mark for accurate identification of each strength in relation to the
practical. (AO2)
Credit one mark for justification of each strength (AO3).
For example:
- We had a large sample size of 53 in our observation so our sample is
representative of the target population (1), therefore we can say our
results about males and female helping behaviour can be generalised
(1).
- Before we carried out our observation we created definitions of helping
behaviour, such as holding the door open so that we all knew what we
were looking for (1), this increases reliability as it reduces the subjectivity
of what is meant by helping behaviour (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
Answers must relate to conducting observations.
(4)
Explain one improvement that may be made to your learning theories and development practical investigation.
AO2 (1 mark), AO3 ( 1 mark)
Credit one mark for accurate identification of one improvement in relation to
the practical. (AO2)
Credit one mark for justification / exemplification of improvement (AO3).
For example:
- We should have carried out the observation on helping at different
times rather than just in lunch time (1), as people who are around at
other times of the day may have more time and so may be more
helpful (1).
Look for other reasonable marking points.
Generic answers score 0 marks.
Answers must relate to conducting observations.
(2)
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