Paper 1: Introductory Topics in Psychology
Information below taken from AQA Specification. Page last updated 2017
What’s assessed? Compulsory content of Social Influence, Memory, Attachment and Psychopathology.
How is it assessed? Written exam: 2 hours • 96 marks in total • 33.3% of A-level
What type of questions? multiple choice, short answer and extended writing maximum 16 marks, each section totalling 24 marks.
-56Days
-21Hrs
-52Mins
-6Secs
Students will be expected to:
- demonstrate knowledge and understanding of psychological concepts, theories, research studies, research methods and ethical issues in relation to the specified Paper 1 content.
- apply psychological knowledge and understanding of the specified Paper 1 content in a range of contexts
- analyse, interpret and evaluate psychological concepts, theories, research studies and research methods in relation to the specified Paper 1 content
- evaluate therapies and treatments including in terms of their appropriateness and effectiveness.
Assessment Objectives (% of overall A Level)
- AO1 = 11–14 %
- AO2 = 6–9 %
- AO3 = 12–14 %
4.1.1 Social Influence
- Types of conformity: internalisation, identification and compliance. Explanations for
conformity: informational social influence and normative social influence, and variables
affecting conformity including group size, unanimity and task difficulty as investigated by
Asch. - Conformity to social roles as investigated by Zimbardo.
- Explanations for obedience: agentic state and legitimacy of authority, and situational
variables affecting obedience including proximity and location, as investigated by Milgram,
and uniform. Dispositional explanation for obedience: the Authoritarian Personality. - Explanations of resistance to social influence, including social support and locus of control.
- Minority influence including reference to consistency, commitment and flexibility.
- The role of social influence processes in social change.
Social Influence Lessons
| AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 01: Film - Cuckoos Nest  | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 02: Film - Cuckoos Nest | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 03: Intro to Definitions | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 04: Definitions AO1 | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 05: Definitions AO3 |
| AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 06: Clinical Characteristics | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 07: AO1 Explain Phobias | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 08: AO3 Explain Phobias | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 09: AO1 Treat Phobias | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 10: AO3 Treat Phobias |
| AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 11: AO1 Explain Depress'n | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 12: AO3 Explain Depress'n | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 13: AO1 Treat Depress'n | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 14: AO3 Treat Depress'n | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 15: AO1 Explain OCD |
| AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 16: AO3 Explain OCD | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 17: AO1 Treat OCD | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 18: AO3 Treat OCD | AQA Psychology: PSY1 Psychopathology Lesson 19: Revision Time |
Social Influence Extra
 Work Booklet |  Study Notes |  Essay Plans |
 Flash Cards |  Revision Materials |  Super Curricular |
