Key Psychology 9 Marker Topics for GCSE AQA

Key Studies You Need to Know

Ever wondered why you remember the beginning and end of lists better than the middle? Murdock's Serial Position Curve proves this phenomenon, whilst Bartlett's War of the Ghosts shows how our memories get twisted by our own cultural expectations.

Perception studies reveal how our minds play tricks on us. Gilchrist and Nesberg discovered that hunger actually makes biscuits look brighter, proving motivation affects what we see. Meanwhile, Bruner and Minturn showed how expecting to see numbers or letters changes what we actually perceive.

The development section features brilliant studies that challenged how we think about children's intelligence. Hughes' Policeman Doll Study and McGarrigle and Donaldson's Naughty Teddy Study both proved that kids are smarter than Piaget originally thought - they just need the right context to show it.

💡 Remember: Most of these studies show that human behaviour is more complex and context-dependent than we first assumed!

Essential Theories and Applications

The Multi-Store Model of Memory breaks down how information flows from sensory memory through short-term to long-term storage. It's like a filing system in your brain, and understanding it helps explain why revision techniques actually work.

Social influence theories explain why people follow orders or go along with crowds. Milgram's Agency Theory suggests we switch off our moral responsibility when following authority figures. Adorno's theory links personality types to prejudice, showing how some people are naturally more likely to discriminate.

Psychological problems get two main explanations: biological (brain chemistry and genetics) and psychological (thoughts, experiences, and behaviour patterns). Depression might stem from low serotonin levels or from negative thinking patterns - often it's both working together.

Treatment approaches range from CBT (changing thought patterns) to anti-depressants (fixing brain chemistry) and self-management programmes that put you in control of your recovery.

💡 Top Tip: Paper 2 focuses more on explaining theories than describing studies, so practise linking concepts together rather than just memorising facts!