GCSE Psychology Key Studies Summary: Paper 1
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GCSE Psychology Key Studies Summary Sheet (AQA, Edexcel) - Free PDF
Page 2: Perception and Cognitive Development Studies
Bruner & Minturn "Perceptual Set Study" (1955)
This study investigated how expectations can affect direct perception. It involved 24 students shown a series of letters, numbers, or mixed characters, followed by a test image.
Results showed that participants interpreted the ambiguous test image as "13" when primed with numbers and "B" when primed with letters.
Highlight: This study challenges Gibson's theory of direct perception and supports Gregory's theory of constructivist perception.
The study concluded that expectations directly affect how stimuli are interpreted. It was well-controlled and counterbalanced, enhancing its reliability.
Hughes "Policeman Doll Study" (1978)
This study aimed to see if children can take another person's perspective earlier than Piaget suggested. It involved 30 children aged 3.5-5 years old who were asked to hide a doll from a model policeman.
Results showed that 90% of children could successfully hide the doll, indicating they were not egocentric.
Definition: Egocentrism in psychology refers to the inability to differentiate between self and other, or to see things from another's point of view.
The study concluded that children as young as 3.5-5 years can see things from another's perspective if the task makes sense to them. This challenges Piaget's findings that children were egocentric until age 7.
McGarrigle & Donaldson "Naughty Teddy" (1974)
This study investigated whether children can conserve at an earlier age than Piaget found if the change to the material appears accidental. It involved 80 children aged 4-6 years old who were shown two rows of counters, with one row accidentally spread out by a puppet.
Results showed that 62% of 4-6 year olds could conserve, compared to 16% in Piaget's study.
Vocabulary: Conservation in cognitive development refers to the ability to understand that certain properties of an object remain the same despite changes in its appearance.
The study concluded that children under 7 can conserve if the change appears accidental. This challenges Piaget's conclusions, although over 30% of children still failed to conserve.
Highlight: These studies on cognitive development provide important insights for the AQA GCSE Psychology key studies and are crucial for GCSE Psychology revision.
Page 1: Memory and Perception Studies
Murdock's "Serial Position Curve" (1962)
This study aimed to provide evidence for separate short-term and long-term memory stores in the multi-store model of memory.
The method involved a laboratory experiment with 16 participants who were psychology students. They were presented with 20 words at a rate of one per minute and asked to recall them over 90 seconds. This was repeated 80 times over several days with different words.
Results showed a primacy effect for the first words and a recency effect for the last words, with poorer recall for words in the middle of the list. This led to the drawing of the serial position curve.
Highlight: The study supports the multi-store model of memory, suggesting separate stores for short-term and long-term memory.
Vocabulary: Primacy effect refers to better recall of items at the beginning of a list, while recency effect refers to better recall of items at the end of a list.
Evaluation points include the study's lack of ecological validity and potential bias due to the use of psychology students as participants.
Bartlett's "War of the Ghosts" (1932)
This study investigated how unfamiliar information is altered in memory to make more sense, testing Bartlett's theory of reconstructive memory.
The method was a laboratory study using Cambridge students. Participants read a Native American folk tale twice, then retold it to another person after 15 minutes. Changes to the story were recorded.
Results showed that the story became shorter, with omissions and changes to details and the order of events.
Definition: Reconstructive memory is the theory that memory recall involves the active reconstruction of past events based on existing knowledge and beliefs.
The study concluded that memory is not an exact copy of what we hear and is influenced by beliefs and stereotypes. It has high ecological validity but may lack representativeness due to the use of Cambridge University students.
Gilchrist & Nesberg's "Need & Perceptual Change" (1952)
This study examined how motivation affects perception. It involved 26 university student volunteers who went without food for 20 hours. Participants were randomly allocated to control and hungry groups, then shown pictures of food and asked to adjust the brightness.
Results showed that the hungry group perceived the food images as brighter over time, while the control group showed little difference.
Example: This study demonstrates how our physiological needs can influence our perception of stimuli related to those needs.
The study concluded that motivation affects perception. It had high ecological validity but a small sample size, potentially limiting its representativeness.
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Anna
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Thomas R
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Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
GCSE Psychology Key Studies Summary Sheet (AQA, Edexcel) - Free PDF
GCSE Psychology Key Studies Summary: Paper 1
This document provides a comprehensive overview of key studies in GCSE Psychology, focusing on memory, perception, and cognitive development. It covers six influential studies that are essential for AQA GCSE Psychology students.
Page 2: Perception and Cognitive Development Studies
Bruner & Minturn "Perceptual Set Study" (1955)
This study investigated how expectations can affect direct perception. It involved 24 students shown a series of letters, numbers, or mixed characters, followed by a test image.
Results showed that participants interpreted the ambiguous test image as "13" when primed with numbers and "B" when primed with letters.
Highlight: This study challenges Gibson's theory of direct perception and supports Gregory's theory of constructivist perception.
The study concluded that expectations directly affect how stimuli are interpreted. It was well-controlled and counterbalanced, enhancing its reliability.
Hughes "Policeman Doll Study" (1978)
This study aimed to see if children can take another person's perspective earlier than Piaget suggested. It involved 30 children aged 3.5-5 years old who were asked to hide a doll from a model policeman.
Results showed that 90% of children could successfully hide the doll, indicating they were not egocentric.
Definition: Egocentrism in psychology refers to the inability to differentiate between self and other, or to see things from another's point of view.
The study concluded that children as young as 3.5-5 years can see things from another's perspective if the task makes sense to them. This challenges Piaget's findings that children were egocentric until age 7.
McGarrigle & Donaldson "Naughty Teddy" (1974)
This study investigated whether children can conserve at an earlier age than Piaget found if the change to the material appears accidental. It involved 80 children aged 4-6 years old who were shown two rows of counters, with one row accidentally spread out by a puppet.
Results showed that 62% of 4-6 year olds could conserve, compared to 16% in Piaget's study.
Vocabulary: Conservation in cognitive development refers to the ability to understand that certain properties of an object remain the same despite changes in its appearance.
The study concluded that children under 7 can conserve if the change appears accidental. This challenges Piaget's conclusions, although over 30% of children still failed to conserve.
Highlight: These studies on cognitive development provide important insights for the AQA GCSE Psychology key studies and are crucial for GCSE Psychology revision.
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Page 1: Memory and Perception Studies
Murdock's "Serial Position Curve" (1962)
This study aimed to provide evidence for separate short-term and long-term memory stores in the multi-store model of memory.
The method involved a laboratory experiment with 16 participants who were psychology students. They were presented with 20 words at a rate of one per minute and asked to recall them over 90 seconds. This was repeated 80 times over several days with different words.
Results showed a primacy effect for the first words and a recency effect for the last words, with poorer recall for words in the middle of the list. This led to the drawing of the serial position curve.
Highlight: The study supports the multi-store model of memory, suggesting separate stores for short-term and long-term memory.
Vocabulary: Primacy effect refers to better recall of items at the beginning of a list, while recency effect refers to better recall of items at the end of a list.
Evaluation points include the study's lack of ecological validity and potential bias due to the use of psychology students as participants.
Bartlett's "War of the Ghosts" (1932)
This study investigated how unfamiliar information is altered in memory to make more sense, testing Bartlett's theory of reconstructive memory.
The method was a laboratory study using Cambridge students. Participants read a Native American folk tale twice, then retold it to another person after 15 minutes. Changes to the story were recorded.
Results showed that the story became shorter, with omissions and changes to details and the order of events.
Definition: Reconstructive memory is the theory that memory recall involves the active reconstruction of past events based on existing knowledge and beliefs.
The study concluded that memory is not an exact copy of what we hear and is influenced by beliefs and stereotypes. It has high ecological validity but may lack representativeness due to the use of Cambridge University students.
Gilchrist & Nesberg's "Need & Perceptual Change" (1952)
This study examined how motivation affects perception. It involved 26 university student volunteers who went without food for 20 hours. Participants were randomly allocated to control and hungry groups, then shown pictures of food and asked to adjust the brightness.
Results showed that the hungry group perceived the food images as brighter over time, while the control group showed little difference.
Example: This study demonstrates how our physiological needs can influence our perception of stimuli related to those needs.
The study concluded that motivation affects perception. It had high ecological validity but a small sample size, potentially limiting its representativeness.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user