Edexcel A Level Psychology
Edexcel A Level Psychology Topic 3: Biological Psychology Exam Questions
Free Edexcel A Level Psychology exam questions for Topic 3: Biological Psychology, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers the CNS, neurotransmitters, recreational drugs, brain structure, hormones and evolution in aggression, brain scanning and twin studies.
Topic 3: Biological Psychology exam questions
1 question pack of real past exam questions, each with its mark scheme. Do not stop after a few: answer as many as you can without notes, then mark every answer with the mark scheme. The more questions you do, the more quickly you will spot how examiners ask about each idea.
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About Edexcel A Level Psychology Topic 3: Biological Psychology
Biological Psychology is Topic 3 of Edexcel A Level Psychology and is assessed on Paper 1, Foundations in Psychology. It explains behaviour in terms of the central nervous system, neurotransmitters and synaptic transmission, the effects of recreational drugs, the role of brain structures and hormones in aggression, and evolution and natural selection. You also compare biological explanations with Freud's psychodynamic explanation of aggression. Methods content includes correlational research, brain scanning techniques, twin and adoption studies and Spearman's rho. The classic study is Raine, Buchsbaum and LaCasse (1997), and you study one contemporary study and carry out a correlational practical.
What you need to know
- CNS and synaptic transmission The CNS is the brain and spinal cord. Neurotransmitters are released from the presynaptic neuron, cross the synaptic gap and bind to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron, then are broken down or taken back up (reuptake).
- Recreational drugs Recreational drugs alter synaptic transmission; for example some block reuptake or mimic neurotransmitters, changing the amount of activity at the synapse.
- Brain structure and aggression Areas linked to aggression include the prefrontal cortex (impulse control), the amygdala and the limbic system. Raine et al. found reduced prefrontal activity in murderers.
- Hormones and evolution Testosterone is linked to aggression. Evolutionary explanations say aggression may have been naturally selected because it helped individuals gain resources and mates.
- Freud's psychodynamic explanation Freud proposed a death instinct (Thanatos) that is directed outwards as aggression, and catharsis as a release of aggressive energy. It is used as a contrast to biological explanations.
- Classic study: Raine, Buchsbaum and LaCasse (1997) PET scans of 41 murderers pleading not guilty by reason of insanity were compared with 41 matched controls. Murderers had reduced glucose metabolism in the prefrontal cortex and abnormal asymmetries in the amygdala, hippocampus and thalamus.
- Methods and practical Correlational research and Spearman's rho, brain scanning (CAT, PET, fMRI), twin and adoption studies, and the use of control groups.
Common mistakes in Topic 3: Biological Psychology
- Saying Raine et al. proved brain dysfunction causes violence; the study shows a link but the researchers stressed it does not show causation or excuse behaviour.
- Describing PET scans as showing structure only; PET shows activity through the metabolism of a radioactive tracer.
- Forgetting that the murderers in Raine et al. were pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, so they are not representative of all violent offenders.
- Describing the psychodynamic explanation in biological terms; Freud's explanation is about unconscious drives, not neurotransmitters.
- Writing that a correlation of -0.8 is weak; the sign gives direction and the size gives strength, so -0.8 is a strong negative correlation.
Try three Topic 3: Biological Psychology exam-style questions
1. Describe how synaptic transmission takes place. (4 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
An action potential arrives at the presynaptic terminal; neurotransmitter is released from vesicles into the synaptic gap; it diffuses across and binds to receptors on the postsynaptic neuron; this may excite or inhibit the postsynaptic neuron; the neurotransmitter is then broken down by enzymes or taken back by reuptake.
2. Explain one strength and one weakness of PET scanning as a method of studying the brain. (4 marks)
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Strength: it shows the brain in action by measuring glucose metabolism; so researchers can identify areas that are more or less active during tasks; Weakness: it involves injecting a radioactive tracer; so it is invasive and the number of scans a person can have is limited, raising ethical concerns.
3. Describe the results of Raine, Buchsbaum and LaCasse (1997). (4 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Murderers showed reduced glucose metabolism in the prefrontal cortex compared with controls; reduced activity in the corpus callosum; abnormal asymmetries, with lower left and higher right activity in the amygdala, hippocampus and thalamus; there were no differences in some areas, suggesting specific brain areas are linked to violence.
Topic 3: Biological Psychology FAQs
What does Edexcel A Level Psychology Topic 3 Biological Psychology cover?
It covers the CNS, neurotransmitters, recreational drugs, brain structures and hormones in aggression, evolution and natural selection, Freud's psychodynamic explanation of aggression, correlations, brain scanning, twin and adoption studies, Raine et al. (1997) and one contemporary study.
Which paper is Biological Psychology examined in?
Biological Psychology is examined on Paper 1, Foundations in Psychology.
Why is Freud included in Biological Psychology?
Freud's psychodynamic explanation of aggression is included so you can compare a non-biological explanation with biological ones, which is useful for evaluation and comparison questions.
