Eduqas A Level Psychology
Eduqas A Level Psychology Bullying Behaviours Exam Questions
Free Eduqas A Level Psychology revision for Bullying Behaviours: what you need to know, common mistakes and exam-style questions with answers. Covers characteristics of bullying, genes, evolution, hormones, cognitive biases, narcissism, in-groups, moral disengagement, CAPSLE and Olweus.
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About Eduqas A Level Psychology Bullying Behaviours
Bullying behaviours is one of six behaviours in Component 3, of which you study three. You need the characteristics of bullying, at least two biological, individual differences and social psychological explanations, and at least two methods of modifying it. The specification lists bullying genes, evolved gender differences and hormones; cognitive biases, narcissism and theory of mind; cultural differences, in-group and out-group processes and moral disengagement; and the CAPSLE and Olweus programmes. Examiners reward essays that describe clearly and then evaluate with research evidence, real-world application and issues such as determinism.
What you need to know
- Characteristics Bullying is intentional, repeated aggression where there is an imbalance of power. It can be physical, verbal, relational (social exclusion, rumours) or cyberbullying, and involves bullies, victims and bystanders.
- Biological explanations Twin studies such as Ball et al. (2008) suggest a substantial genetic influence on bullying. Evolutionary explanations see bullying as a way to gain status and access to resources or mates, with boys using more physical and girls more relational aggression. Hormones such as testosterone and cortisol have been linked to aggression.
- Individual differences Cognitive biases such as the hostile attribution bias lead some children to read neutral acts as threats. Narcissistic personality (inflated but fragile self-esteem) is linked to aggression when ego is threatened. Some bullies have good theory of mind and use it to manipulate.
- Social psychological explanations Cultural differences affect how bullying is defined and how common it is. Social identity theory (Tajfel) explains in-group favouritism and hostility to out-groups. Moral disengagement (Bandura) lets bullies justify harm, for example by blaming the victim.
- Methods of modifying The Olweus Bullying Prevention Programme works at school, classroom and individual levels (clear rules, supervision, meetings); the original Norwegian evaluation reported large reductions. CAPSLE (Twemlow et al.) targets the whole school climate and the role of bystanders in power struggles.
Common mistakes in Bullying Behaviours
- Defining bullying as any single act of aggression. Spec-level definitions require repetition, intent and an imbalance of power.
- Saying bullies always lack theory of mind. Some ringleader bullies have strong social understanding and use it to manipulate others.
- Claiming the Olweus programme works equally well everywhere. Results outside Norway, for example in the USA, have been more mixed.
- Using 'genes cause bullying'. Twin studies show heritability, which describes variation in a population, not a direct cause in an individual.
Try three Bullying Behaviours exam-style questions
1. Outline one social psychological explanation of bullying behaviours. (4 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Moral disengagement (Bandura): people switch off moral self-sanctions; using strategies such as blaming the victim, minimising harm or diffusing responsibility; allows bullies to harm others without guilt; supported by studies linking moral disengagement scores with bullying.
2. Describe the Olweus Bullying Prevention Programme. (5 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Whole-school approach; school-level components such as an anti-bullying committee and better supervision at break; classroom-level rules against bullying and regular class meetings; individual-level talks with bullies, victims and parents; involves the wider community; aims to change school norms.
3. Evaluate methods of modifying bullying behaviours. (10 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Olweus showed large reductions in the original Norwegian evaluation; however results in other countries have been smaller; CAPSLE targets bystanders and the whole school climate; whole-school programmes need staff commitment and are costly; hard to measure bullying reliably as self-report may be biased; cultural differences in effectiveness.
Bullying Behaviours FAQs
What does Eduqas A Level Psychology Bullying Behaviours cover?
The characteristics of bullying behaviours, biological, individual differences and social psychological explanations, and methods of modifying the behaviour, all with evaluation.
Which paper is bullying behaviours examined in?
It is examined in Component 3, Psychology: Implications in the Real World, a 2 hour 15 minute written paper worth one third of the A level, where you answer on three of the six behaviours.
Which studies should I learn for bullying behaviours?
Useful evidence includes Ball et al. (2008) on genetics, Bandura's moral disengagement, social identity theory, and evaluations of the Olweus programme and CAPSLE.
