Applied Psychology is a core part of A-Level Psychology. Revise the key concepts and common mistakes below, then lock them in with the free games.
Key concepts
MethadoneSynthetic opioid replacement therapy for heroin addiction.
Nicotine ReplacementGum, patches, vapes — replace nicotine, remove tobacco harms.
Aversion TherapyPairing addictive behaviour with unpleasant stimulus.
Covert SensitisationAversion in imagination — vivid mental punishment.
Motivational InterviewingClient-centred talk eliciting reasons for change.
Public Health CampaignMass-media intervention targeting risk perception.
TPBTheory of Planned Behaviour — Ajzen 1991.
Behavioural IntentionStrongest predictor of action in TPB.
Subjective NormsBelief about social pressure to perform behaviour.
Perceived Behavioural ControlBelief one can perform the behaviour.
Stages of ChangeProchaska & DiClemente — six-stage model.
Self-EfficacyBandura — belief in capacity to execute action.
AddictionCompulsive use of a substance/behaviour despite harm.
ToleranceReduced effect of drug, needing higher dose.
Common mistakes to avoid
Questions where students often pick the tempting wrong answer — make sure you know the right one:
In Pavlov's experiment, what is the conditioned response?✗ Salivation to the food (which is automatic). ✓ Salivation to the bell alone, after pairing with food.
What is negative reinforcement?✗ Punishing a behaviour to decrease it. ✓ Removing an unpleasant stimulus to INCREASE a behaviour.
Why does the cognitive approach use INFERENCE?✗ Because cognitive psychologists guess instead of measuring. ✓ Mental processes cannot be directly observed, so they are inferred from behaviour.
According to Maslow, when can self-actualisation be achieved?✗ Anyone can self-actualise at any time through willpower. ✓ Only after lower deficiency needs are largely met.
What are the three elements of Beck's negative triad?✗ Negative views of past, present, and future. ✓ Negative views of self, world, and future.
Practise Applied Psychology — free games
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