Tips from an examiner: How examiners mark the 10-mark essay for

9990 Paper 1:
- For each point, examiners will judge whether the point is detailed (d) (whether
the candidate has explained why it’s a strength or weakness) or brief (b)
(usually not explained why it’s a strength/weakness)

- All 4 points must be (d) and in context to achieve level 4 of the mark band.

- If 3 points are (d) and 1 point (b) then a candidate can score 8 marks
maximum.

- If points are a mixture of (d) and (b) then most likely a level 3 band.

- If all points are (b) then a candidate can only achieve a level 2 band.

2023/MJ/ - Paper 11 - Q10

Evaluate the study by Bandura et al. (aggression) in terms of two strengths and two
weaknesses. At least one of your points must be about reliability

Reliability:

One strength about the Bandura et al. study is its high reliability and high
standardization. For example, the aggressive model and non-aggressive model had
a standardized routine for the respective conditions. Furthermore, the placement of
the toys was standardized. This therefore increased the reliability of the study
making it easier to replicate.

If point is about reliability, candidates have to give at least 2 examples of standardisation

Here, the candidate gives 2 examples of standardisation (standardized routine and

Note: Reliability is the named issue of the study and must be included. If the named issue
is not included in the evaluation, the maximum mark a candidate can achieve is 6 marks.
Validity:

Another strength about the Bandura et al. study was that it has high validity.
Participants were matched based on their aggression levels to reduce participants
variables. This therefore helps the researchers to be confident that the independent
variable (aggressive or non-aggressive model) is affecting the dependent variable
(whether the children showed aggressive or non-aggressive behaviour)

If point is on internal validity, candidates have to give at least one example of a control and
both the IV and DV mentioned, in order to get (d)

Here, the candidate gives one example of a control (matched based on aggression levels) and
has explicitly stated the IV and DV

Generalizability:

One weakness of the Bandura et al. study was that it is low in generalizability. The
sample taken were 72 children from Stanford university. This may make it difficult to
generalize to other children as all the children in the study were taken from the same
university and same geographical location. The sample may not be representative
children in other parts of the world due to different socio-economic background or
different levels of IQ.

To get (d), candidates have to mention who the findings can/can not be generalized to and
why

Here, the candidate states that the study makes it difficult to generalize to other children
due to the sample being taken from Stanford, and has given reasons why (different socio -
economic background/different IQ levels)

Ethics:

Another weakness of the Bandura et al. study are the ethics of the study. Firstly,
there was lack of protection from psychological harm. The children in the aggressive
condition were exposed to aggressive models beating the bobo doll and performing
actions such as hitting and kicking the bobo doll. This could have been distressing
for the children and they may become more aggressive in the long run. No effort was
made to ensure that the children unlearned the behaviour.

The candidate has given examples on ethical issues of the study (exposed to aggressive
models beating the bobo doll) and has explained why this is an issue (may be distressing for
children). The candidate could have given another example of an ethical issue e.g. deception
involved but this is enough for (d)

This response has covered all 4 points in detail and can achieve a level 4 band.
Other points candidates can cover:

Quantitative Data:

Another Strength is the use of quantitative data. Quantitative data is objective, and
allows researchers to make meaningful comparisons between the groups. For
example, researchers measured the number of times physical and verbal aggression
was initiated by participants. This therefore allowed researchers to compare the
effects of an aggressive/non-aggressive model on the participants

To get (d), candidates need to mention 2 “things” that can be compared as a result of
collecting quantitative data.

Here, the candidate has mentioned that comparisons can be made for (verbal/physical
aggression + effects of aggressive/non-aggressive models).

Ecological Validity:

One weakness of this study is that it has low mundane realism and has low
ecological validity. For example, the experiment was conducted in a laboratory which
is an artificial environment. It is not common for children to see an aggressive model
beating a bobo doll. In addition, the researchers deliberately made the children
frustrated/annoyed. This is not something that usually happens in the real world. This
therefore lowers the ecological validity and limits the generalizability of the findings to
the real world.

To get (d), candidates must give at least 2 examples on why the study lacks ecological validity
and explain why.

Here, the candidate has given a few examples of why the study has low ecological validity and
explains why (limits generalizability of findings to real world). If only 1 example is given, only
(b) will be given
Application to the real world:

One strength of this study is that the results can be applied to the real world. The
researchers found that children are more likely to imitate an aggressive model as
compared to a non-aggressive model. As a result, children become more aggressive
and can exhibit aggressive behaviors e.g. hitting, kicking other children. Parents can
therefore ensure that their children are not exposed to violent characters on
television/video games as children can potentially imitate these behaviours and
exhibit aggressive behavior.

Although this is not a common strength used by candidates, it can be accepted if it is

Here, the candidate states the findings, links it to real-life example and explains why it is
useful (children may potentially imitate aggressive behaviours from being exposed to TV). If
the candidate had only written about not exposing children to television and stopped there,
this would be (b) as it is not explained WHY the application is useful

Prepared by: SLD (Examiner for Psychology 9990 Paper 1)