Download Exam Revision Unit 2 2012

Research Methods
 Independent and dependent variables,
extraneous and confounding variables
 Ethical issues: identifying ethical problems and
explaining why they are problems
 Mean, mode, median
 Various methods of research/study in
psychology
 Various sampling methods: random,
convenience, stratified
 Advantages of using an experiment:
establishing cause and effect and controlling
variables; methods for minimizing the effects
of extraneous variables
 Independent groups, matched participants and
repeated measures designs
Attitudes
 Tri-component model of attitudes (affective/behvavioural/cognitive)
 Ways of measuring attitudes: observing behaviour or using self-reporting techniques
 Advantages and limitations of each method: e.g. Likert scale, observing behaviour
Personality
 Humanistic, trait and psychoanalytic theories of
personality
 Humanist theory: Rogers and his concepts of the self
 Psychoanalysis: Freud’s theory
 Psychosexual stages; levels of consciousness; id, ego
and superego; ego defence mechanisms
 Contrasts between humanist approaches and
psychoanalytic approaches
 Criticisms of Freudian theory and humanist theories
 Personality measurement: projective tests and
inventories; reliability and validity
A representation of Ms Green according to Freud:
her superego looks particularly punitive…
But if you think about it, a punitive superego is just
what is needed before an exam.
Social Behaviour
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Definitions and examples of prosocial and antisocial behaviour
Definitions of altruism and bullying
Factors affecting helping and reluctance to help
Factors that may reduce prejudice
Milgram’s and Zimbardo’s studies and the ethical issues/concerns they raise
Intelligence
 Binet's perspective, Wechsler's definition, Gardner's multiple intelligences, Sternberg's triarchic
theory
 Components of “emotional intelligence”
 Culture-biased and culture-fair tests
Extended Question (10-15 marks)
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Likely to be connected to these topics: IQ and personality measurement, the issues and concerns
involved, ethical considerations, research methods