Skip to main content
A-LevelPsychologyBiological approach9990/12 · May/June 2018 · Q68 Marks

In the study by Schachter and Singer (two factors in emotion), the anger condition used a stooge and a questionnaire.

  1. (a)Describe the procedure in the anger condition after the participants met the stooge.[5]
  2. (b)Explain one reason why the procedure was standardised in this study.[3]

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2018). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

  1. 1 mark per correct point made
  2. They were told by the experimenter that he would be back in 20 minutes;
  3. The stooge complains about the questionnaire with statements about it being unfair;
  4. Annoyed at being given shots [injections];
  5. The stooge began to show anger;
  6. The questions begin with 'innocent' ones before getting more personal;
  7. The stooge 'paces' his answers to match that of the participant;
  8. The stooge makes standardised comments about various questions;
  9. The comments begin with 'innocent' comments but get increasingly hostile;
  10. He crumples up the questionnaire (at the end);
  11. (At the end) he stamps out of the room;
  12. The participants' behaviours were observed through a one-way mirror;
  13. Their behaviour was placed into categories/six categories were used.
  14. 1 mark can be given for an example of a stooge comment and 1 mark for any of the set questions asked in the questionnaire.
  15. It would allow the study to be more easily replicated (1 mark)
  16. Therefore, it could be tested for reliability (1 mark)
  17. For example having standardised prompts/behaviours for the stooge means exact replication is possible (1 mark)
  18. It would increase the (internal) validity of the study (1 mark)
  19. Therefore, cause and effect are (more) likely to be seen (1 mark)
  20. For example knowing it was 'injection information' causing behavioural changes (1 mark)
  21. It can help to reduce extraneous/uncontrolled variables (1 mark)
  22. So that we know it is probably the IV of information about the injection [any named one] (1 mark)
  23. causing the change in pulse rate/side effects/behaviours shown – the DV (1 mark)

Write your answer and get it marked

On Oracle Prep you can write or photograph your own answer and have it marked by AI against this mark scheme, with feedback on what you missed.

Sign up free →

About this question

Topic
Biological approach, A-Level Psychology (syllabus 9990). Structured question, 8 marks.
Source
A-Level Psychology, May/June 2018 Paper 1 Variant 2, question 6.

Questions and mark schemes are from past examination papers and remain the copyright of the exam board. How Oracle Prep builds its content

Related Psychology questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep