How to Answer an Issues & Debates Essay Question (AQA A Level Psychology) : Revision Note
How do I answer an AQA A Level Psychology issues & debates question?
The Issues and Debates section of Paper 3 assesses your understanding of the broader conceptual and ethical frameworks that underpin psychological research
You could be asked short-answer questions or extended-writing questions on any of the following issues and debates:
This is a synpotic topic, which means that you are expected to illustrate your answers with knowledge and understanding of topics studied elsewhere in the specification
Similarly, it is useful to use your knowledge of issues and debates when evaluating theories, explanations and approaches elsewhere in the course
Types of essay questions on issues and debates
An issues and debates 8-mark or 16-mark question may appear without a stem
E.g., Discuss the nature-nurture debate in psychology [16 marks]
The marks available for this question are as follows:
AO1 = 6 marks
AO3 = 10 marks
An issues and debates 8-mark or 16-mark question may appear with a stem, which may simply be a sentence that asks you to refer to other topics you have studied
E.g., Discuss culture bias in psychological research. Refer to one topic you have studied in your answer [8 marks]
The marks available for this question are as follows:
AO1 = 3 marks
AO2 = 2 marks
AO3 = 3 marks
8-mark and 16-mark questions will typically ask you to 'discuss' a specific issue or debate
A 'discuss' question is assessed in the same way as an 'outline and evaluate' question, but it invites a broader commentary (AO3) than a straightforward assessment of strengths and weaknesses
For example, in an essay on the nature vs. nurture debate, commentary would consider:
the merits of both sides of the debate, e.g., we cannot claim that one side of the debate (or approach or explanation) is better than the other
the overall contributions to psychology made by each side of the debate
how both sides of the debate can work together in psychological research
the improvements that can and have been made in psychological research
How can I improve my performance on issues and debates essay questions?
Think about what a debate really is. It is a conceptual framework, not an entity with its own stance
E.g., avoid treating 'nature' and 'nurture' as if they argue something on their own
Instead, outline what each perspective emphasises and then discuss how these perspectives differ, rather than saying, “the nurture debate argues X”
This also impacts how effective your evaluation/commentary is
E.g., it doesn't make sense to say "one criticism of the nurture debate is..."
It is better to say something like “the idea that behaviour stems solely from environmental factors is flawed as..."
Describe how particular approaches or studies illustrate the debate in question
E.g., social learning theory can exemplify how environment and observation (nurture) shape behaviour
Always explicitly link each study or approach to the nature or nurture perspective rather than just describing it in isolation
Your evaluation/commentary should acknowledge interactionist or more complex perspectives
E.g., niche-picking shows how nature and nurture interact, i.e., genetics may influence the environment a person seeks out, which in turn can further shape genetic expression
This is a higher-level skill that shows awareness that the debate is not black-and-white; most modern psychologists adopt some form of interactionism
Worked Example
Here is an example of an issues and debates 8-mark essay question:
Q. Discuss gender bias in psychological research. Refer to one topic you have studied in your answer.
[8 marks]
Model answer:
Gender bias is the failure to consider adequately the differences between men and women, with an overemphasis on the importance of biology as the driver of behaviour.
There are different types of bias. Alpha bias exaggerates the differences between men and women, e.g., assuming there are differences in mating behaviour. Whereas beta bias minimises and ignores the differences between men and women, e.g., assuming men and women respond in the same way to threatening stimuli.
Freud saw femininity as an expression of failed masculinity. His concept of penis envy meant that women were defined psychologically by the fact that they were not men. He went on to explain female ‘vanity’ as a defence mechanism: women wish to make up for their sexual inferiority to men by focusing on their ‘physical charms’. Freud's research exemplifies alpha bias, as it suggests there are real differences between men and women.
An issue is that gender-biased research might result in androcentrism. This is the belief that men’s behaviour is the norm, so any behaviour typical of women is abnormal. This means that female behaviour is misunderstood and could lead to the creation or reinforcement of negative stereotypes, which could be used to support discriminatory practices. For example, it could provide scientific ‘justification’ to deny women opportunities within the workplace or in society. Therefore, gender bias in research is not just a methodological problem; it may have damaging consequences that affect the lives and prospects of women in society.
However, viewing men and women as the same has led to equal treatment in legal terms and equal access to education and employment. This suggests that gender bias in research may positively affect the lives and prospects of women in society.
Word count: 288
Level 4 response: 7-8 marks
Marking commentary:
This response is in the top band (Level 4) because it shows a very strong understanding of the gender bias. The application is effective as an example of gender bias in psychological research has been explained in depth. The answer is coherent, focused on the question, and makes good use of key terms specific to gender bias. The evaluation is effective as the points have been introduced, elaborated thoroughly, and they clearly explain the implications of gender bias in psychological research.
Step by step structure:
Paragraph 1: Concise definition of gender bias with some elaboration (AO1)
Paragraph 2: Definitions of the types of bias shows strong knowledge (AO1)
Paragraph 3: Concepts in Freud's psychodynamic approach are explicitly linked to a type of gender bias (AO2)
Paragraph 4: An evaluation point is introduced, explained in detail using real-life examples and then linked to the implications of gender bias in research (AO3)
Paragraph 4: A shorter evaluation point outlining the implications of gender bias provides a balanced response (AO3)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Students tend to have difficulty with this section largely because of the philosophical nature of the material
Examiners suggest that you can improve your performance on issues and debates by:
thinking carefully about the wording of the novel question set and ensuring your answer is focused on the question
Generic and pre-prepared answers will not fit a novel scenario
being prepared with the topics and approaches that best illustrate each side of a debate
Practice (or at least plan) answers to lots of examples
ensuring your answers are coherent, legible and include paragraphs
Take time to plan your answer before you write it
ensuring you know how each of the debates are distinct from one another
Students confuse debates with one another, e.g., holism vs reductionism often gets mixed up with free will vs determinism and nature vs nurture
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