Evaluative psychology points

Evaluation & commentary in A2 Psychology

Use the 12 points in the table below to comment on each of the ideas and theories

Point

Ask yourself these questions

1

Research support

AO2

What research support is there for the ideas/theory? Are findings contradictory or consistent? What do the studies show? What do they not show?

2

Strengths & weaknesses of the research

AO3

What can you say about the study’s: internal validity (consider confounds and threats); external (population & ecological) validity; methods used; way it dealt with ethical issues

3

Gender bias

AO2 (IDA)

Does the theory assume that men & women are the same (beta bias)? Or does the theory exaggerate differences between the genders (alpha bias)? What are the implications of the bias?

4

Cultural bias

AO2 (IDA)

Is the theory based on the norms & values of western societies? Does the theory assume that what applies in the west also applies in non-western cultures (beta bias)? Or does the theory exaggerate differences between cultures? What are…