Edexcel A-Level Psychology Active Recall Guide (9PS0)

Edexcel · A-Level

Edexcel A-Level Psychology Active Recall Guide

A question-and-answer revision guide for Edexcel A-Level Psychology, built to be worked in three passes rather than read.

Edexcel
A-Level
Specification 9PS0
10 topics

See what is inside or try the sample questions.

Edexcel A-Level Psychology Active Recall Guide cover

£8 GBP

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The 3-step active recall method

Re-reading notes is a futile process when your aim is to remember the information and successfully apply it in exam settings. Active recall is the method you use to ensure the information sticks for a long period of time.

But even active recall can be futile unless you have a structured way of implementing it. This is where the 3-step active recall method comes in, a structured method that is signature to the Levo Learning guides.

Step 1
Answer up to 10 questions cold, closed book, even if you are unsure on the topic.
Step 2
Answer the same questions again, but open book. Write the correct answer down even if it seems pointless.
Step 3
Repeat as step 1 and answer the questions closed book again.

Worked across the Edexcel A-Level Psychology specification, one subtopic at a time.

The subject, and what is assessed

Edexcel A-Level Psychology (specification 9PS0) is assessed by three written papers. Paper 1 covers foundations in psychology and Paper 2 covers applications of psychology, each lasting 2 hours 15 minutes and carrying 90 marks.

Paper 3 covers psychological skills, lasting 2 hours and carrying 80 marks. Paper 3 draws on studies and methods from across the course, so the earlier content is examined a second time.

Paper	Covers	Length	Marks	Weighting
Paper 1	Foundations in psychology	2 hours 15 minutes	90 marks	35%
Paper 2	Applications of psychology	2 hours 15 minutes	90 marks	35%
Paper 3	Psychological skills	2 hours	80 marks	30%

Memorisation, then application

Marks are given for applying content to the question that has been set, which cannot happen while the content is still being looked up. Step 1 shows what is actually held.

Step 2 puts the correct wording in front of you while the gap is still fresh. Step 3 repeats the cold test, and the difference between the first and third attempt is the part that has moved.

Every question in the guide is paired with its answer in the same document, so step 2 is done from the guide itself rather than from a separate set of notes.

What is inside the guide

Questions are grouped by topic and then by subtopic, following the Edexcel specification. Open a topic to see its subtopics.

Social Psychology12 subtopics

Obedience41
Prejudice24
Individual differences in obedience/prejudice14
Developmental psychology in obedience/prejudice12
Methods: Self-reporting data46
Methods: Sample selection and techniques24
Methods: Qualitative and quantitative data39
Methods: Ethical guidelines34
Studies44
Key questions15
Practical investigation31
Issues and debates57

Cognitive Psychology11 subtopics

Memory46
Individual differences in memory9
Developmental psychology in memory12
Methods: Experiments71
Methods: Quantitative data analysis34
Methods: Decision making and interpretation of inferential statistics37
Methods: Case study of brain-damaged patients20
Classic study: Baddeley (1966)13
Contemporary study: Schmolck et al. (2002)12
Key question8
Practical investigation11

Biological Psychology10 subtopics

Content63
Individual differences14
Developmental psychology28
Methods: Correlational research14
Methods: Analysis of correlational data39
Methods: Other biological research methods36
Classic study: Raine et al. (1997)13
Contemporary study: Brendgen et al. (2005)12
Key question9
Practical investigation13

Learning Theories12 subtopics

Classical conditioning26
Operant conditioning41
Social learning theory37
Phobias23
Methods: Human research18
Methods: Animal research17
Methods: Analysis of data42
Methods: Scientific status of psychology19
Classic study: Watson and Rayner (1920)14
Contemporary study: Becker et al. (2002)13
Key question8
Practical investigation12

Clinical Psychology13 subtopics

Diagnosis of mental disorders23
Classification systems29
Schizophrenia and one other disorder81
Contemporary studies10
Classic study: Rosenhan (1973)17
Practical investigation8
Key question6
Treatments for mental disorders15
Methods: HCPC guidelines30
Methods: Researching mental health28
Methods: Case studies17
Methods: Interviews in clinical psychology24
Methods: Data analysis44

Criminological Psychology6 subtopics

Explanations of crime and anti-social behaviour25
Understanding the offender, offence analysis and case formulation45
Treatments for offenders23
Eye-witness testimony20
Jury decision-making19
Methods: Research methods32

Methods: Issues of Reliability, Validity, Objectivity, Credibility and Ethics3 subtopics

Issues of reliability, validity, objectivity, credibility and ethics in research in criminological psychology40
Data analysis13
Ethical guidelines14

Child Psychology6 subtopics

Attachment, deprivation and privation65
Autism28
Methods: Observation16
Methods: Questionnaire/interview38
Methods: Cross-cultural research15
Methods: Ethics of researching with children19

Health Psychology5 subtopics

Issues around drug taking42
Explanations of drug addiction44
Treatments for drug addiction44
Anti-drug campaigns24
Methods: Use of animals22

Methods: Human Drug Studies2 subtopics

Two research methods using humans to study drugs31
Ethics of using human participants to study drugs23

Sample questions

Taken from the Edexcel A-Level Psychology guide. Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.

Social Psychology

According to agency theory, what is the autonomous state?

Show the answer
The autonomous state is when a person acts according to their own conscience, taking personal responsibility for their actions.
Cognitive Psychology

What concept did the working memory model replace or provide an alternative to?

Show the answer
The concept of a unitary short-term store.
Biological Psychology

What role does the spinal cord play within the central nervous system?

Show the answer
The spinal cord relays nerve impulses between the brain and the rest of the body, and coordinates simple reflexes.
Learning Theories

What is an unconditioned stimulus (UCS)?

Show the answer
A stimulus that naturally and automatically triggers a response without any prior learning.
Clinical Psychology

What are the 'four Ds' used in the diagnosis of mental disorders?

Show the answer
Deviance, Dysfunction, Distress, and Danger.
Criminological Psychology

How does damage to the prefrontal cortex affect impulse control in relation to criminal behaviour?

Show the answer
Prefrontal cortex damage reduces inhibition, making it harder for individuals to control impulsive urges, which increases the likelihood of criminal and anti-social behaviour.
Methods: Issues of Reliability, Validity, Objectivity, Credibility and Ethics

What does reliability mean in the context of criminological psychology research?

Show the answer
Reliability refers to the consistency of findings when a study is replicated or when the same measure is used repeatedly.
Child Psychology

According to Bowlby, why did attachment behaviour evolve in infants?

Show the answer
Attachment evolved to promote survival by keeping infants close to caregivers, providing protection from predators and other dangers.

Questions about this guide

How do you use active recall for Edexcel A-Level Psychology?

Answer up to 10 questions cold and closed book. Answer the same questions again open book, writing the correct answer down.

Then answer them closed book one more time. The difference between the first and third attempt is what has moved into recall.

How is Edexcel A-Level Psychology assessed?

Edexcel A-Level Psychology is assessed by 3 components: Paper 1, foundations in psychology (2 hours 15 minutes, 90 marks, 35%); Paper 2, applications of psychology (2 hours 15 minutes, 90 marks, 35%); Paper 3, psychological skills (2 hours, 80 marks, 30%).

What topics does the Edexcel A-Level Psychology active recall guide cover?

It covers Social Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Biological Psychology, Learning Theories, Clinical Psychology, Criminological Psychology, Methods: Issues of Reliability, Validity, Objectivity, Credibility and Ethics, Child Psychology, Health Psychology and Methods: Human Drug Studies.

Is the Edexcel A-Level Psychology guide a PDF?

Yes. It is a digital PDF sent to the email address on your order after purchase.

Check the address is correct at checkout, and check junk or spam if it has not arrived.

Does the guide include the answers?

Yes. Every question has its answer in the same document, grouped by topic, so step 2 of the method is done from the guide.