AQA GCSE Psychology Revision Guide

⏰Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes

• 🏆Marks: 100 marks (50% of total grade)

• 📌Content: The topics covered are:

1. Memory

   
   

   • How memory works: encoding, storage, retrieval

   • Different types of memory (short-term, long-term)

   • Explanations for forgetting

   • How to improve memory (practical applications)

   • Key studies: Peterson & Peterson, Bartlett (“War of the Ghosts”)




2. Perception

   
   

   • How we interpret sensory information

   • Factors affecting perception (emotion, expectation, culture)

   • Visual illusions and theories of perception

   • Key studies: Gibson (direct theory), Gregory (constructivist theory)




3. Development

   
   

   • How thinking and moral reasoning change as we grow

   • The brain and development in childhood

   • The role of education and intelligence theories

   • Key theorists: Piaget, Dweck, Willingham




4. Research Methods 

   
   

   • How psychologists design, conduct and interpret research

   • Experimental design, sampling, data analysis, ethics

• ❓Question Types:  This paper tests how well you understand and can apply theories about how people think, remember and learn. Questions will come from the topics: Memory, Perception, Development and Research Methods.

1. 🧠 Multiple-choice Questions (1–2 marks each)

These test your recall of key terms, definitions or simple facts.

Example:

Which type of memory has an unlimited capacity?
A) Short-term memory
B) Long-term memory
C) Sensory memory
D) Working memory

Tip:
Look out for distractors (answers that sound right but aren’t). Make sure you know your key definitions precisely!

2. 🗒️ Short-answer Questions (1–4 marks)

These test your understanding of theories and studies. You might be asked to identify, describe, explain or outline something. You may also need to make calculations.

Example:

Outline one weakness of Bartlett’s (1932) study of memory. (2 marks)

What to do:

• Give one clear point.

• Add a short explanation or example.

Tip:
For 4-mark questions, you may need to give two developed points - always check how many marks are available before writing!

3. 🔍 Application Questions (4–6 marks)

These use short scenarios where you have to apply your knowledge.

Example:

Sam was asked to recall a list of 20 words. After a few minutes, he could only remember the first and last few. Use your knowledge of memory to explain Sam’s results. (4 marks)

What to do:

• Identify the relevant theory (in this case, the serial position effect).

• Apply it directly to the scenario.

• Use key psychological language - AQA loves that!

Tip:
Underline or highlight clues in the question - names, behaviours or outcomes often hint at which theory to use.

4. 🧾 Extended Response Questions (6–12 marks)

These are essay-style questions testing knowledge, application and evaluation (AO1, AO2, AO3).

Example:

Discuss Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Refer to evidence in your answer. (12 marks)

How to structure:
Use PEEL paragraphs:

• Point – make a clear statement.




• Evidence – use a study or example to support it.




• Explain – how it supports or challenges the theory.




• Link – back to the question.

Tip:
Always include both strengths and weaknesses for top marks. Use connectives like however, on the other hand, and this suggests.

📖 Paper 2: Social Context and Behaviour

• ⏰Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes






• 🏆Marks: 100 marks (50% of total grade)

• 📌Content: The topics covered are:

1. Social Influence

   
   

   • Conformity, obedience, and crowd behaviour

   • Factors affecting obedience (authority, proximity, culture)

   • Key studies: Milgram, Asch, Piliavin




2. Language, Thought and Communication

   
   

   • The relationship between thinking and language

   • Non-verbal communication (gestures, facial expressions)

   • Key theories: Piaget, Sapir-Whorf, Darwin’s evolutionary explanation




3. Brain and Neuropsychology

   
   

   • Structure and function of the brain

   • The nervous system and neurons

   • Lateralisation of function and brain plasticity

   • Key study: Penfield’s cortical stimulation research




4. Psychological Problems

   
   

   • Mental health issues (depression and addiction)

   • Symptoms, causes (biological and psychological), treatments

   • The changing attitudes toward mental health




5. Research Methods 

   
   

   • More in-depth focus on interpreting data and designing investigations

• ❓Question Types:  This paper explores how people interact with others and how biological and social factors affect behaviour. 

1. 💭 Multiple-choice Questions (1–2 marks)

These appear throughout and test your grasp of definitions, study details and basic ideas.

Example:

Which factor is most likely to reduce obedience in Milgram’s study?
A) The authority figure wearing a uniform
B) The teacher being in the same room as the learner
C) The learner being in a different room
D) The experiment taking place at Yale University

Tip:
Read all options carefully - sometimes more than one looks right, but you need the most accurate.

2. 📄 Short-answer Questions (2–4 marks)

These check your understanding of specific studies, theories or key terms. 

Example:

Explain one strength of Milgram’s study into obedience. (2 marks)

Tip:
A 2-mark answer = one clear strength and a short explanation.

3. 🧩 Scenario / Application Questions (4–6 marks)

These are very common in Paper 2 - especially on Social Influence and Psychological Problems.

Example:

Maria refuses to speak in public even though she knows her friends won’t judge her. Use your knowledge of psychological problems to explain Maria’s behaviour. (4 marks)

What to do:

• Identify the condition or concept (e.g., social anxiety).

• Apply psychological knowledge (e.g., biological or cognitive explanations).

• Link your answer clearly to the example.

Tip:
Always anchor your answer to the scenario - keep using the person’s name (e.g., “Maria might feel…”). It shows clear application.

4. 🧠 Extended Writing Questions (6–12 marks)

Just like Paper 1, these require depth and evaluation.

Example:

Discuss one explanation for addiction. Refer to evidence in your answer. (12 marks)

How to answer:
Break it down:

• AO1 (Knowledge): Explain the theory clearly (e.g. biological explanation).

• AO2 (Application): Link to examples or studies.

• AO3 (Evaluation): Give balanced strengths and weaknesses.

5. 🧪 Research Methods Questions (throughout both papers)

These test your ability to think like a psychologist!

You might be asked to:

• Identify independent/dependent variables

• Write a hypothesis (directional or non-directional)

• Choose the correct sampling method

• Interpret data from tables, graphs or case studies and sometimes draw a graph

• Identify ethical issues

Example:

A psychologist wants to study the effect of sleep on memory. Identify the independent variable. (1 mark)
✅ Answer: The amount of sleep participants get.

Tip:
Revise all your key terminology - it often earns easy marks if you’re confident with definitions.

✨Here are some top tips to make your revision more effective:

 1. Understand the Key Studies🎯

For each topic, know:

• The aim of the study

• The method used

• The results

• What the study concluded

• The evaluation points (strengths and weaknesses)

Use flashcards to test yourself - write the study name on one side and the key facts on the other.

 2. Practice Application Questions🧠

AQA loves to give you scenarios and ask how psychological theory applies.
Example: “Tom forgets where he left his keys. Use your knowledge of memory to explain this.”

👉 Practise linking your knowledge to these kinds of questions - it’s great exam training!

 3. Master Research Methods🕵️‍♀️

Research methods make up a big chunk of the marks across both papers.
Revise how to:

• Write hypotheses

• Identify variables

• Interpret graphs and data

• Understand sampling, ethics and reliability

 4. Write Strong Extended Answers✍️

For 6–12 mark questions, structure is key:

• Point – make your argument clear

• Evidence – support with a study or theory

• Explain – show why it’s relevant

• Evaluate – give a balanced view

Use PEE (or PEEL – Point, Evidence, Explain, Link) to keep your paragraphs focused and logical.

 5. Stay Balanced and Look After Yourself💤

Revision marathons sound productive, but your brain needs rest too! 🧘‍♀️

• Study in short bursts (25–45 minutes)

• Take regular breaks

• Sleep well

• Eat and hydrate properly - your brain loves that! 🥦💧

🏁 Final Thoughts

The AQA GCSE Psychology course is fascinating - you get to explore why people think, feel and behave the way they do! 💭
By understanding your papers, revising actively and practising applied questions, you’ll be ready to smash your exams with confidence.

Good luck - you’ve got this! 🌟