Describe the psychology being investigated in the study by Pepperberg that used Alex the parrot as a participant.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2021). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [5] 1 mark available for identifying an element of psychology being investigated
2. [5] 1 mark per correct statement made.
3. [5] 1 mark available for an example from the study by Pepperberg
4. Social Learning is when someone observes the behaviour of someone else/pay attention to behaviour;
5. They retain this information for use at a later date;
6. The organism/person/animal must feel capable of replicating that behaviour;
7. The need to be motivated is vicarious reinforcement;
8. Operant conditioning is when an animal/person learns by the consequences of its behaviour;
9. If a behaviour is followed by a reward they are more likely to repeat;
10. If a behaviour is followed by punishment then they are less likely to repeat;
11. Looked at the cognitive skill of distinguishing same and different in a parrot;
12. There are other creditworthy responses.