Cambridge International AS & A Level

* 8 8 2 9 5 4 9 9 6 6 *

PSYCHOLOGY 9990/12
Paper 1 Approaches, Issues and Debates February/March 2024

1 hour 30 minutes

You must answer on the question paper.

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 60.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (KN) 330095/2
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Section A

Answer all questions.

1 From the study by Baron-Cohen et al. (eyes test):

(a) Identify the sampling technique used to recruit participants for Group 1 (adults with AS or
HFA).

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(b) Outline one hypothesis in relation to the sex of the participants.

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(c) Outline the instructions that were given to participants on how to use the glossary.

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2 From the study by Fagen et al. (elephant learning):

(a) Outline what is meant by the term ‘positive reinforcement’.

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(b) Outline one result in relation to the number of sessions it took for the elephants to pass the
full trunk wash test. You must use data in your answer.

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3 From the study by Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans):

(a) Identify two features of one of the victims.

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(b) Explain why this study is from the social approach in psychology.

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4 From the study by Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans):

(a) Outline one aim of the study.

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(b) ‘Acting with awareness’ was measured by the ‘Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire’.

Outline one other factor of mindfulness measured by this questionnaire.

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5 (a) Outline one assumption of the cognitive approach in psychology.

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(b) Explain how one finding from the study by Pozzulo et al. (line-ups) supports the assumption
you outlined in part (a).

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(c) Outline the term ‘false positive responses’, using an example from the study by Pozzulo et al.
(line-ups).

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6 In the study by Milgram (obedience), participants took a piece of paper from a hat. They were told
that this would decide whether they would be the teacher or the learner.

(a) Describe the procedure from this point until the ‘learning task’ began.

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(b) Explain one strength of this study in relation to reliability.

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7 Your friend, Taara, needs your help. She has volunteered to take part in a study that is replicating
the study by Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams). She wants to know how she will be woken
up and then asked about her dreams.

Outline this part of the procedure for Taara.

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8 Saira is talking about the study by Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia). She says that the
findings were subjective.

Explain why Saira is correct that the findings were subjective, using evidence from this study in
your answer.

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Section B

Answer all questions.

9 (a) Describe the sample used in the study by Andrade (doodling).

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(b) Explain one similarity and one difference between the study by Andrade (doodling) and the
study by Pozzulo et al. (line-ups). Do not refer to the sample in your answer.

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10 Evaluate the study by Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences) in terms of two strengths and two
weaknesses. At least one of your evaluation points must be about ethics.

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© UCLES 2024 9990/12/F/M/24