Effective AO2 Strategies – Let PALS Be Your Friend

Welcome Today is the final Webinar for OCR in the current series The previous sessions are available here: http://www.tutor2u.net/psychology/reference/cpd-webinar-the-ocr-collection Are there any future sessions you would like?

Session Aims What are Psychological Applied Learning Scenarios and what is the importance of them? Discuss where to find PALS for components 1,2, and 3 Identify strategies for writing effective PALS Discuss how to mark PALS for components 1,2, and 3 Consider how to use PALS within your course planning DO YOU USE PALS? INITIAL THOUGHTS?

What are PALS PALS are novel scenarios/case studies, that allow learners to apply their knowledge of psychology. Their content allows students the opportunity to develop their own thinking to the given problem and there should be a possibility of different answers. By applying different theories to PALS, students should realise how different approaches to the issues can come from different areas of psychology. They are also designed to give students the opportunity to develop and practice skills such as critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning and decision making. https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/system/files/psychology-applied-learning-scenarios.pdf

PALS assessment in the exams AO2 - Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures: in a theoretical context in a practical context when handling qualitative data when handling quantitative data.

AO2 – Application marks

PALS – Component 1 – Section B Research design and response Source material briefly describing details of the method of an investigation Scenario based questions: AO1 – 6 Marks, AO2 – 15 Marks, AO3 – 2 Marks Questions likely to refer to hypotheses, experimental design, the research method, sample/sampling method, methodological issues.

PALS – Component 1 – Section B Designing an investigation - 12 Mark AS Level Question AO1 – 2, AO2 – 4, AO3 - 6 Designing an investigation - 15 Mark A Level Question AO1 – 3, AO2 – 5, AO3 – 7 Source Material briefly outlining an aim. Explain how you would carry out an investigation Justify your decisions as part of your explanation You must refer to – 3 or 4 named bullet points You should use your own experience of carrying out an investigation to inform your response

PALS – Component 1 – Section C Section C: Data analysis and interpretation Detailed description of an investigation outlining procedures and results. A level SAM: A01 – 10, AO2 – 14, AO3 -11

Where to find and how to write component 1 PALS Old Specification G541 and G544 Past papers http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-level-gce-psychology-h168-h568/ G541 section outlining an existing piece of research – for new spec section B scenario describing details of the method of an investigation. G544 Section A scenarios and G541 section outlining a proposed piece of research - for new spec section B 12/15 mark questions, just add 3 or 4 bullet points and new question wording. G541 section outlining data produced by a piece of a research – for new spec section C data analysis and interpretation.

For example – G541 - May 2013 Write your own questions relating to the source or use questions from this paper. Could include: Hypotheses, population/sample/sampling technique, open/closed questions, methodological issues – reliability, validity, ethics, report writing, how science works in CONTEXT

G541 – May 2013 12/15 mark wording can be added to this, with a choice of bullet points. For example: Explain how you would carry out an investigation. Justify your decisions as part of your explanation. You must refer to: Operationalisation of variables Sampling technique Ethical considerations Testing/increasing reliability/validity The use of descriptive stats The choice of an appropriate statistical test You should use your own experience of carrying out an experiment to inform your response.

G541 – May 2013 - data produced by a piece of a research Write your own questions relating to the source or use questions from this paper. This could include: Conclusions from data (behaviour) Sketching of an appropriate graph or chart Calculating measures of central tendency or dispersion Calculating ratios, percentages or fractions Levels or types of data Inferential statistics

Component 2 - PALS AO2 Marks come from Section C This section will require learners to apply their knowledge and understanding of psychology to a novel source as provided in the examination. The source could be a newspaper or magazine article, a blog, a diary entry, email exchange or equivalent written source. Identify issue/problems from an article. Outline research/area/key theme and relate to the article Suggest techniques to manage or encourage behaviours which relate to key themes: Evaluate suggestions – considering issues, debates, practicalities, effectiveness and appropriateness

Memory PALS http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4177082.stm http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3372109/It-definitely-Eyewitnesses-reliable-identifying-suspects-feel-confident-answer.html https://www.theguardian.com/science/head-quarters/2016/aug/08/is-your-memory-as-accurate-as-you-think-it-is http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/my-wedding-day-remember-forgotten-5937180 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3747716.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/976053.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/676213.stm http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/smell-of-rosemary-may-improve-memory-8565038.html Identify one psychological issue raised by the above article. Support your answer with evidence from the article. Briefly outline one piece of psychological research and justify how it relates to the above article Explain why this article can be viewed as being relevant to cognitive psychology. Use your psychological knowledge to suggest a way to manage the issue you have identified

The idea that intelligence can be measured by IQ tests alone is a fallacy according to the largest single study into human cognition which found that it comprises of at least three distinct mental traits. IQ tests have been used for decades to assess intelligence but they are fundamentally flawed because they do not take into account the complex nature of the human intellect and its different components, the study found. The results question the validity of controversial studies of intelligence based on IQ tests which have drawn links between intellectual ability race, gender and social class and led to highly contentious claims that some groups of people are inherently less intelligent that other groups. Instead of a general measure of intelligence epitomised by the intelligence quotient (IQ), intellectual ability consists of short-term memory, reasoning and verbal agility. Although these interact with one another they are handled by three distinct nerve “circuits” in the brain, the scientists found. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/iq-tests-are-fundamentally-flawed-and-using-them-alone-to-measure-intelligence-is-a-fallacy-study-8425911.html Use SAM and summer 2016 questions and mark schemes

Useful sources for PALS News sites Psychology blogs https://digest.bps.org.uk/ http://www.spring.org.uk/ https://mindhacks.com/ http://www.tutor2u.net/psychology/blog Past papers for other exam boards Youtube You and your students (including practical activity write ups)

Component 3 – Optional Topics Question C A series of high profile serious violent crimes have been committed in a small village over the last year. Experts are working on the case but it remains unsolved. There are a number of potential suspects including one who has a previous conviction for assault. The experts have been put under pressure to solve the case / The suspect was then charged, but was unanimously found not guilty despite the forensic evidence / however despite the pressure for a conviction the forensic experts found no evidence to find the suspect guilty (c)* Discuss how motivating factors might impact the collection and processing of forensic evidence in this case. (10 x AO2) Discuss a strategy for reducing bias in the collection and processing of forensic evidence. (IDENTIFYING A STRATEGY) Discuss how motivating factors and bias may influence the collection and processing of forensic evidence. (BACKGROUND PROBLEM) Discuss how a psychologist could investigate whether there was bias in the collection and processing of evidence. (HOW THE APPLICATION COULD BE RESEARCHED) Discuss how a psychologist might apply their knowledge of strategies for reducing bias to explain why the forensic experts came to their conclusions. (EXPLAINING THE STRATEGY)

Writing a Component 3 Question Topic – Collection of evidence Background - Collection and use of evidence from witnesses and suspects. Key Research – Memon and Higham Strategy - At least one strategy for police interviews. 4 Question Types – Identifying a strategy, Explaining a strategy, Discussing a problem from the background, How the application could be researched. A can of baked beans have been stolen from a shop in the North East, the local detective Vera is investigating. There were a number of witnesses who saw the crime. Discuss how Vera could collect evidence from witnesses in this case (10) Vera has managed to gain lots of information from witnesses due to her interviewing technique. Discuss how a psychologist would explain how Vera obtained lots of information. Vera used a traditional police interview but was unable to collect much evidence from suspects and the evidence she did collect was conflicting. Discuss problems associated with collecting evidence from witnesses. Vera is considering using the cognitive interview. Discuss how a psychologist could investigate the effectiveness of this strategy.

How can PALS be used in your planning? After the teaching of each area and core studies After completing practical activities After each component 3 topic Debates PALS Methodological issues PALS – general or specific Issues in mental health PALS Marking PALS OCR Mark schemes tutor2u marking grids

Today’s Resources & Any Questions Today’s resources will be posted in our OCR Teacher FB Group. Search ‘OCR A Level Psychology Teacher’ https://www.facebook.com/groups/ocralevelpsychologyteachers/ Sign Up to our Daily Digest: http://www.tutor2u.net/dailydigest and receive an email tomorrow morning directing you to the resources.

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