Edexcel International A Level Psychology
Edexcel International A Level Psychology Learning Theories and Development Exam Questions
Free Edexcel International A Level Psychology exam questions for Learning Theories and Development, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers classical and operant conditioning, social learning theory, Freud's psychosexual stages, therapies, observations and the Little Albert study.
Learning Theories and Development 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 International A Level Psychology Learning Theories and Development
Learning theories and development in Edexcel International A Level Psychology is studied in Unit 2, Biological Psychology, Learning Theories and Development. It explains how behaviour is learned through classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning theory, and compares this with Freud's psychodynamic account of development through the psychosexual stages. You also apply learning theories to therapies such as systematic desensitisation. Methods include observations, content analysis, case studies and quantitative and qualitative data, and you carry out an observational practical. The classic study is Watson and Rayner (1920), Little Albert, and contemporary research includes Capafóns et al. (1998) on fear of flying.
What you need to know
- Classical conditioning Pavlov showed a neutral stimulus paired with an unconditioned stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus producing a conditioned response. Key terms include extinction, spontaneous recovery and stimulus generalisation.
- Operant conditioning Skinner showed behaviour is shaped by consequences: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment, with schedules of reinforcement and shaping.
- Social learning theory Bandura showed behaviour is learned by observing models, with attention, retention, reproduction and motivation, and vicarious reinforcement, as in the Bobo doll studies.
- Freud's psychosexual stages Oral, anal, phallic, latency and genital stages, with the id, ego and superego and the Oedipus complex. Unresolved conflict can lead to fixation.
- Therapies Systematic desensitisation and flooding treat phobias using classical conditioning; token economies use operant conditioning.
- Classic study: Watson and Rayner (1920) Little Albert was conditioned to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise, and the fear generalised to similar objects such as a rabbit and a fur coat.
- Methods Observations (structured, naturalistic, overt, covert), tallying, inter-observer reliability, content analysis and case studies such as Freud's Little Hans.
Common mistakes in Learning Theories and Development
- Confusing negative reinforcement with punishment.
- Mislabelling the stimuli in Little Albert; the loud noise is the UCS, the rat becomes the CS.
- Getting Freud's stages in the wrong order.
- Describing SLT as purely behaviourist; it includes cognitive mediational processes.
- Describing flooding as gradual exposure; that is systematic desensitisation.
Try three Learning Theories and Development exam-style questions
1. Explain how operant conditioning could explain why a child keeps having tantrums in a shop. (4 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
When the child has a tantrum, the parent gives them sweets to stop it; this is positive reinforcement for the child, so tantrums are repeated; the parent is negatively reinforced because giving sweets removes the unpleasant tantrum; so both behaviours are strengthened.
2. Describe Freud's phallic stage. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Occurs at around 3 to 6 years; the focus of pleasure is the genitals; boys experience the Oedipus complex, desiring the mother and fearing the father (castration anxiety); this is resolved by identifying with the same-sex parent, which leads to development of the superego.
3. Explain one ethical issue in Watson and Rayner's (1920) study. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Albert was deliberately caused fear and distress, breaking protection from harm; his conditioned fear was never removed because he left before deconditioning; so the study would not be allowed under current ethical guidelines.
Learning Theories and Development FAQs
What does Edexcel International A Level Psychology Learning theories and development cover?
It covers classical and operant conditioning, social learning theory, Freud's psychosexual stages, therapies based on learning theories, observations, content analysis and case studies, Watson and Rayner (1920) and contemporary studies such as Capafóns et al. (1998).
Which unit is Learning theories and development examined in?
It is examined in Unit 2, Biological Psychology, Learning Theories and Development.
What practical do I need for Learning theories and development?
You carry out an observation that collects both quantitative data (such as tallies) and qualitative data (such as descriptions), and should be able to discuss its design, reliability and ethics.
