Rosebery Sixth Form opening evening bridging task: Psychology

If you are interested in studying psychology at A level here are some ideas of activities that
will give you a better understanding of what will be expected.

Reading opportunities:

1. Search on You Tube for the following “PBS The Brain with David Eagleman 2of6
What Makes Me” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYcSO36-qAk).
2. Crash Course Psychology – Search for the crash course psychology channel on you
tube. There are a number of different topics covered. Watch some that you find
interesting!
3. “The Brain” By David Eagleman. By reading a book like this it will help you build the
links between topics in psychology and you will learn some fascinating facts about
the body’s most influential organ!

Study task:

Below are a series of questions about the biological approach to explaining psychology
which you will study next year. You will need to think about the content you studied in GCSE
Biology to help you as well as carrying out your own research. The question shows you
where studying psychology at A level will take you.

Q1. 
A phenotype is the result of the combined effect of ….
Shade one box only.
 
  A neurotransmitters and environment.  

  B inheritance and environment.  

  C genetic makeup and neurotransmitters.  

  D genotype and evolution.  

(Total 1 mark)

Q2. 
Which one of the following statements about evolution is false?
Shade one box only.
 
  A Evolution involves adapting to the environment.  

 
B Evolution involves breeding of those best able to  
survive.

 
C Evolution involves common genetic material between  
species.

 
D Evolution involves changes in behaviour from one  
generation to the next.
Rosebery Sixth Form opening evening bridging task: Psychology

(Total 1 mark)

Q3. 
(a)     What is meant by genotype?

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(1)

(b)     What is meant by phenotype?

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(1)
(Total 2 marks)

Q4. 
Rita and Holly are identical twins who were separated at birth. When they finally
met each other at the age of 35, they were surprised at how different their
personalities were. Rita is much more social and out-going than Holly.

Use your knowledge of genotype and phenotype to explain this difference in their
personalities.

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(Total 4 marks)