U1 Topic 1 Social psychology

Agency theory

1. Katrina is a nurse. One of the doctors on the hospital ward tells Katrina to give a patient a
higher dose of their medication than they would normally have. Katrina is worried about the
increase in the medication, but she gives the higher dose of medication to the patient anyway.

Describe, using agency theory, why Katrina gives the higher dose of medication to the patient.
(2)

2. Assess how well agency theory can explain obedience in society. (8)

Social power theory

1. In your studies of obedience, you will have learned about social power theory.

(a) Explain one strength of social power theory as an explanation of obedience. (2)

(b) Explain two weaknesses of social power theory as an explanation of obedience. (4)

2. Victor is employed as a computer programmer. He was instructed by his manager at work to

tidy the store cupboard. Although this was not part of his day-to-day job, Victor did as he was
instructed and tidied the store cupboard.

(a) Describe, using social power theory, why Victor tidied the store cupboard. (4)

(b) Explain two weaknesses of social power theory as an explanation for why Victor tidied the
store cupboard. (4)
factors affecting obedience

In your studies of social psychology you will have learned about whether individual differences
(personality and gender) can affect obedience.

(a) Describe whether personality can affect obedience. (2)

(b) Describe whether gender can affect obedience. (2)

Conformity

Naakesh recently started university and lives with 9 other students in shared accommodation.
The other students enjoy going to parties and sleep late into the morning. They have all missed
lectures and tutorials because of this.

When Naakesh is with the other students he laughs and jokes about missing lectures. He agrees
with them that lectures are not important in the first year of university study. Naakesh also
enjoys attending the parties.

However, he spends a lot of time on his own in the library catching up on the work he has missed
from lectures, so he does not fall behind in his studies.

Describe, using conformity, why Naakesh behaves in this way. (4)

factors affecting conformity

(a) Describe whether individual differences (personality) can affect conformity. (2)

(b) Describe how situation can affect conformity. (2)

Questionnaire

Evaluate the use of questionnaires when researching social psychology. (8)

BPS
The British Psychological Society (BPS) Code of Ethics and Conduct (2009) outlines the
considerations that psychologists must make when conducting research.

Explain two ethical issues that should be considered when conducting research in social
psychology. (4)

Milgram’s study

1. Matthew is studying for his end of year examinations. At school, Matthew will work hard in
the classroom to complete all the work his teachers give him. When he
was asked to complete some extra revision notes he worked in the school library. Matthew
says he did not want to do this work, but he completed it anyway.

At home, Matthew rarely completes homework tasks that are set by his teachers, and he makes
no revision notes. His parents have spoken to Matthew about his lack of schoolwork at home, but
he does not follow their advice about completing tasks at home.

Discuss, using Milgram’s (1963) research into obedience, why Matthew only completes his
schoolwork on some occasions and not others.

You must make reference to the context in your answer. (8)

2. Evaluate Milgram’s research into obedience. (12)

Asch’s study

Asch (1951) conducted research into conformity.

(a) Describe one finding of Asch’s (1951) study. (2)

(b) Explain one strength and one weakness of Asch’s (1951) research into conformity. (4)

Study
1. In your studies of social psychology, you will have learned about the following contemporary
study in detail:

• Burger (2009).

(a) Describe how Burger (2009) screened the participants before they took part in his study. (2)

(b) Explain one strength and one weakness of the study by Burger (2009). (4)

Strength:

Weakness:

2. In your studies of social psychology, you will have learned about the following classic study
in detail:

 Moscovici et al. (1969)

(a) Describe one participant variable that Moscovici et al. (1969) controlled for in

their study. (2)

(b) Explain one weakness of the study by Moscovici et al. (1969). (2)

3. In your studies of social psychology, you will have learned about the following contemporary
study in detail:

 Burger (2009).
Evaluate the contemporary study by Burger (2009). (12)

Practical investigation

In your studies of social psychology, you will have conducted a practical investigation.

(a) Describe the procedure you used for your practical investigation in
social psychology. (4)

(b) Describe the results of the quantitative data that you gathered in your practical investigation
in social psychology. (2)