Pearson Edexcel IAL Psychology Past Papers & Mark Schemes

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Psychology introduces students to the major psychological approaches and their applications, emphasising research methodology as the foundation of psychological knowledge. The 208 resources provide extensive practice across all four units, from social and cognitive psychology through to applied and synoptic assessment. Unit 1 (WPS01): Social and Cognitive Psychology examines two foundational approaches. Social psychology covers obedience (Milgram), conformity (Asch), prejudice (Sherif, Tajfel), and social identity theory. Cognitive psychology addresses memory models (multi-store model, working memory model), eyewitness testimony reliability, and cognitive development. Students learn to evaluate these approaches through their strengths, limitations, and ethical implications. Unit 2 (WPS02): Biological Psychology, Learning Theories, and Research Methods covers biological explanations of behaviour (brain structure and function, neurotransmitters, hormones, the fight-or-flight response, and biological explanations of aggression and schizophrenia), classical and operant conditioning (Pavlov, Skinner), social learning theory (Bandura), and a comprehensive introduction to research methods including experimental design, sampling techniques, ethical guidelines, data analysis, and statistical testing. Unit 3 (WPS03): Applications of Psychology applies psychological knowledge to real-world contexts — clinical psychology (definitions of abnormality, explanations of mental health conditions, treatments including CBT, psychodynamic therapy, and biological treatments), criminological psychology (theories of criminal behaviour, eyewitness testimony, offender profiling), and child psychology (attachment theory, deprivation and privation, day care effects). Unit 4 (WPS04): Clinical Psychology and Psychological Skills is the synoptic unit, requiring students to apply knowledge from all previous units to evaluate psychological research, design studies, and analyse contemporary issues in psychology. Questions draw on the full specification and reward candidates who can make connections across approaches and topics.