Exam-style question
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Using AO1 and AO3, outline and evaluate Approaches in Psychology.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Answer 19GOS for Explain Social Learning Theory: Using the Psychological Explanation lens, the answer is The response should define the relevant psychological concept, link it to a named theory, study, method, treatment or data pattern, and then judge why that evidence strengthens or limits the conclusion.
- It must be linked to Explain, social, learning, theory, imitation, identification, vicarious, reinforcement rather than presented as a generic Psychology statement.
Explanation
Why this works
Answer this by linking the specification term to evidence and then to an evaluative judgement. The answer is correct because it uses AO1 knowledge and understanding and keeps the focus on Explain social learning theory, including imitation, identification, vicarious reinforcement, mediational processes and Bandura's research..
Psychological reasoning: the response should name the mechanism or method, show how it operates, and use terms such as Explain, social, learning, theory, imitation, identification, vicarious, reinforcement, mediational, processes, Bandura, research. Evidence link: Bandura's social learning research can be used to support the point, but the answer should explain what the evidence demonstrates rather than simply naming it.
Evaluation: add a judgement about methodological control, ecological validity, population validity, ethics, determinism, reductionism, cultural bias or real-world application when that is relevant to the question. Exam relevance: the final sentence should make the answer explicit, so the examiner can see why the chosen point addresses the command word and not just the general topic.
Common mistake: avoid generic phrases such as "this is important"; explain the causal process, evidence quality or limitation in precise Psychology language.
Common mistake
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