Biological approach: past paper questions
Real questions on biological approach
The newest 20 of 206 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 9990/32 · May/June 2026 · Q11b[2]
Explain one weakness of using biofeedback to manage stress.
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[4]
Explain two strengths of using biological measures to study the genetics of depression.
See it on the paper → - 9990/43 · May/June 2026 · Q1c[4]
Explain two strengths of using biological measures to study the genetics of depression.
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · February/March 2026 · Q1a[4]
Identify four features of the sample of participants used in this study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · February/March 2026 · Q1b[2]
Suggest one reason why clinical patients were not used as participants in this study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/42 · February/March 2026 · Q1c[4]
Explain two weaknesses of using participants that were paid to take part in this study on virtual reality and persecutory ideation.
See it on the paper → - 9990/11 · October/November 2025 · Q1a[1]
Identify one other toy that was in the ‘wheeled’ category.
See it on the paper → - 9990/11 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[2]
Outline what was meant by the behaviour ‘drag’ as used in this study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/11 · October/November 2025 · Q8a[4]
Outline the advice you would give to Pavel.
See it on the paper → - 9990/12 · October/November 2025 · Q4[4]
Describe how Hassett et al. followed ethical guidelines in relation to animals in their study about monkey toy preferences.
See it on the paper → - 9990/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5a[2]
‘Acting with awareness’ was a factor measured by the ‘Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire’. Outline what is meant by ‘acting with awareness’ in this study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/12 · October/November 2025 · Q5b[2]
Outline one strength of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire as used in this study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/12 · October/November 2025 · Q7[4]
The debate about individual and situational explanations relates to the study by Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams). Outline what is meant by this debate, including one example from the individual explanation and one example from the situational explanation from the study by Dement and Kleitman.
See it on the paper → - 9990/13 · October/November 2025 · Q3a[2]
Identify two features of the sample used in this study, other than sex and species.
See it on the paper → - 9990/13 · October/November 2025 · Q3b[2]
Describe one result for the toy preferences of female monkeys in this study.
See it on the paper → - 9990/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4a[2]
Explain one strength of measuring the change in mindfulness in this way.
See it on the paper → - 9990/23 · October/November 2025 · Q4b[2]
Explain one weakness of measuring the change in mindfulness in this way.
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(i)[2]
Identify the drug used in each trial.
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · October/November 2025 · Q1a(ii)[2]
State the duration of each trial.
See it on the paper → - 9990/41 · October/November 2025 · Q1b[2]
Suggest why placebo-controlled trials were used in this study.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Comprehensive responses • Most candidates correctly identified four features of the sample of participants used in the study by Freeman et al. Popular choices included the number of participants, the male/female balance, a non-clinical diagnosis, and age range. Limited responses • Some candidates could not identify four features, some included incorrect features and some focused on sampling techn...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9990/42 Q1(a) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Many responses correctly suggested that including participants with schizophrenia would be unethical and explained why. Others suggested that using people with schizophrenia contradicted the aim of the study. Limited responses • Some responses did not understand why non-clinical participants were used; often giving generic responses when using participants in any study r...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9990/42 Q1(b) (Cambridge)
Comprehensive responses • Many candidates included two weaknesses, made a point about participants who are paid and related their answer specifically to the Freeman et al. study. Limited responses • Some candidates provided only one weakness, some provided weaknesses which were not related to the Freeman et al. study, and some gave generic responses such as ‘social desirability’ with no attempt t...
— Examiner report, February/March 2026, 9990/42 Q1(c) (Cambridge)
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