WJEC A Level Psychology Contemporary Debates Exam Questions

About WJEC A Level Psychology Contemporary Debates

Section A of Unit 2 asks you to explore five contemporary debates, one linked to each Unit 1 approach. You must be able to argue both sides of each from a psychological perspective, using research evidence rather than opinion. The debates are the ethics of neuroscience, the mother as primary care-giver of an infant, using conditioning techniques to control the behaviour of children, the reliability of eye-witness testimony (including children), and the relevance of positive psychology in today's society. In the exam you answer a question linked to the debates, so prepare a balanced case with named evidence for each.

What you need to know

• The ethics of neuroscience Brain scanning and drugs raise questions about using scans as evidence in court or for lie detection, privacy of brain data, incidental findings, cognitive enhancement drugs and whether brain differences reduce personal responsibility.
• The mother as primary caregiver Bowlby argued for monotropy and a special bond with the mother. Against this, Schaffer and Emerson (1964) found most infants formed multiple attachments, and Field (1978) found that fathers who were primary caregivers behaved much like mothers.
• Conditioning techniques with children Token economies, star charts and time-out apply operant conditioning in homes and schools. Supporters point to clear, quick results; critics argue rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation (Lepper, Greene and Nisbett, 1973) and that it controls rather than explains behaviour.
• Reliability of eye-witness testimony (including children) Loftus and Palmer suggest memory is reconstructive and easily distorted by leading questions. Yuille and Cutshall (1986) found real witnesses to a shooting were accurate months later. Children can be more suggestible to leading questions, but careful interviewing improves accuracy.
• Relevance of positive psychology today Supporters point to well-being programmes in schools and workplaces and evidence that interventions such as gratitude exercises raise well-being. Critics argue it can blame people for unhappiness, ignores social causes such as poverty and reflects individualist Western values.
• Building a balanced answer For each debate prepare at least two arguments on each side, each supported by a study or real-world example, and finish with a reasoned judgement.

Common mistakes in Contemporary Debates

• Writing a one-sided answer. The specification requires you to explore both sides of each debate.
• Relying on personal opinion. Every argument should be supported by psychological research or theory.
• Forgetting the children element of the eye-witness debate. WJEC specifies eye-witness testimony including children, so include evidence on child witnesses.
• Treating Bowlby's monotropy as settled fact in the caregiver debate. Use Schaffer and Emerson and Field to show the counter-argument.
• Discussing conditioning children only in terms of punishment. Include reinforcement methods such as token economies and star charts.

Try three Contemporary Debates exam-style questions