How to Improve Performance on 8 Mark Questions (AQA A Level Psychology) : Revision Note
How can I improve my performance on AQA A Level Psychology 8-mark essay questions?
One way to boost your marks in an essay is to perfect your evaluation (AO3)
Think quality over quantity; it is better to cover just one or two evaluation points in greater detail so that your points are effective. You can do this by:
Introducing the evaluation point
Elaborate in the following ways: give an example, cite research evidence to support your point, draw a comparison, or discuss the implications of research or applications to real-life
Link the point back to the question (what are the implications for the question?)
Examiners say that students usually forget to include this important part when evaluating
It is helpful to use some lead-in phrases to signpost the different elements of your evaluation, such as:
A strength/limitation is...
On the other hand...
Furthermore...
However...
In contrast...
This shows that...
This suggests that...
This implies that...
Worked Example
Here is an example of an effective evaluation point that could be included in an 8-mark question (or even a short-answer question) on the usefulness of animal studies in human attachment:
Introduce the evaluation point:
An advantage of Harlow's research is that it has practical relevance
Elaborate:
His discoveries, such as the long-term social effects of maternal deprivation, have been applied to real-world situations and have assisted social workers in identifying risk factors in child neglect and abuse so they can intervene to prevent it
Link back to the question:
This is a strength as it shows how animal studies are useful in understanding human attachment behaviour
Marking commentary:
This is an effective evaluation point as the strength is introduced, it is explained well as the real-life applications of Harlow's findings are discussed, and the final sentence links back to the question as it explains why this is a strength in relation to human attachment.
Dos and Don'ts
Write in continuous prose
Use appropriate key terms
Ensure that you know the studies specifically named on the specification
There is no need to write an introduction or conclusion if it doesn't go beyond the material presented in the body of the essay
You can include diagrams if it helps to explain your answer, e.g. models of memory
Don't be tempted to include your own opinion as psychology is evidence-based
There is no need to include the names of researchers for studies used as evaluation or wider knowledge, but ensure that you know and use the studies effectively
You are not assessed on your spelling and grammar, but your answer needs to be clear, coherent and focused
When evaluating, avoid using the phrase 'this proves that...' as nothing is proven in psychology!
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Examiners have suggested the following advice to help you improve your performance on extended writing questions:
Read the question carefully and focus on the specific wording used
Answer the question you have been presented with, not the one you hoped for
Take time to plan so that you can write an organised answer that is focused on the specific question
Use paragraphs to help with coherence and structure
Engage with the stem material by making links with theory/explanations
Elaborate on discussion/evaluation points by developing a line of argument, justifying points raised using evidence, and making use of counterarguments and alternative explanations
Link your evaluation points back to the question
Methodological evaluation should be specific to the study, not generic
E.g., a generic point is one that says 'the research is correlational so it doesn't show cause and effect'
It is better to contextualise the point by saying 'the research is correlational, so it doesn't show cause and effect between stress and illness. Although a relationship exists between these co-variables, it is difficult to conclude whether stress causes illness or the other way round, or if an intervening variables (e.g., poor diet) plays a role'
You've read 0 of your 5 free revision notes this week
Sign up now. It’s free!
Did this page help you?
