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- Answering psychology questions: describe, explain, evaluate
Answering psychology questions: describe, explain, evaluate
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GCSE Psychology rewards three skills: knowing the psychology, applying it to new situations, and judging how good it is. The command word tells you which skill a question wants.
Three skills
AO2, application: using psychology to explain a new situation, such as a person in a scenario.
AO3, analysis and evaluation: weighing up strengths and weaknesses, using evidence, and reaching a judgement.
Over the whole GCSE, AO1 and AO2 are each worth 35% of the marks and AO3 is worth 30%.
Command words
Give, State, Name: recall a fact.
Identify: pick out information from a source.
Describe: give an account, with developed statements.
Explain: make a point and justify it ('because...').
Evaluate / Assess: weigh up evidence and reach a conclusion.
Applying to a scenario
Weak: 'Conformity is changing behaviour to fit in.'
Strong: 'Priya is conforming: she changes her answer to match the rest of her group even though she thought it was wrong, which suggests normative influence, because she wants to fit in.'
The strong answer shows knowledge and application.
Explain why a growth mindset might help Jack, who keeps giving up on maths. (2 marks)
- Point: a growth mindset is the belief that ability improves with effort.
- Justify and apply: so Jack would see mistakes as part of learning and keep trying.
Answer: With a growth mindset Jack would believe his maths ability can improve with effort, so he would be more likely to keep going after mistakes instead of giving up.
AO1 is knowledge, AO2 is applying it to a scenario, AO3 is evaluating. Command words tell you which: state and describe test knowledge; explain needs a justified point; assess and evaluate need a judgement. Always use the names and details in a scenario.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
Check you have got it
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