Psychology Media past paper questions

Topic: Media Psychology
 

0 8 Outline and evaluate one psychological explanation of media influence on pro-social

behaviour. (4 marks + 4 marks)
 

0 9 In a study, researchers investigated celebrity worship in young people. They sent two

questionnaires to several hundred university students. One questionnaire measured

attitudes to celebrity and the other questionnaire measured self-esteem. The researchers

analysed the completed questionnaires and found a significant correlation between low

self-esteem and high levels of celebrity worship.

 Explain one methodological and one ethical issue that might have arisen in this study.

(2 marks + 2 marks)
 

1 0 Discuss one or more explanations for the effectiveness of television in persuasion.

(5 marks + 8 marks)

Topic: Media Psychology
 

0 5 A local school head teacher wants to produce a leaflet for parents about the possible

effects of video games and computers on young people. Suggest what information

should be included in the leaflet. Use your knowledge of psychological research in this

area to justify your advice. (10 marks)
 

0 6 Outline the Hovland-Yale model of persuasion. (5 marks)
 

0 7 Outline and evaluate findings of research into intense fandom. (4 marks + 6 marks)

0 6 Outline the Elaboration Likelihood model of persuasion. Explain how a mobile phone

company might use knowledge of this model in a campaign to market a new phone.

(4 marks + 6 marks)

0 7 Researchers conducted a study of media influences on anti-social behaviour. The researchers asked child participants to name their favourite TV programmes. Fifteen years later, the researchers assessed the same participants for levels of anti-social behaviour. Two measures of adult anti-social behaviour were obtained for each participant.

 Measure A: The researchers interviewed a person who knew the participant well and  asked them about the participant’s behaviour.

 Measure B: The researchers studied official records of the participant’s criminal  convictions.

 The researchers concluded that there was a link between watching violent TV  programmes as a child and levels of adult aggression.

 Other than ethical issues, explain two methodological problems involved in the study  described above. (4 marks)

0 8 Outline and evaluate research into celebrity stalking. (4 marks + 6 marks)

Topic: Media Psychology
 

0 6 Discuss psychological research into media influences on pro-social behaviour.

(4 marks + 6 marks)
 

0 7 A company is about to launch a new perfume aimed at young career women and wants

to devise a television advertising campaign to promote the perfume.

Using your knowledge of the persuasive effects of television, what advice would you give

to the company so that it could make the television advertising campaign as effective as

possible? Refer to psychological research to justify your advice. (10 marks)
 

0 8 Outline one or more evolutionary explanations of the attraction of ‘celebrity’. (4 marks)

Topic: Media Psychology
 

0 8 Discuss one or more explanations of media influence on pro-social behaviour.

(4 marks + 6 marks)
 

0 9 The Government wants to reduce the number of accidents caused by drivers exceeding

the 30 mph speed limit in built-up areas. An advertising company is asked to create a

television advertisement to persuade drivers to reduce their speed.

 Suggest some possible features of the television advertisement. Justify your suggestions with reference to the Hovland-Yale model. (10 marks)
 

1 0 Outline findings of research into celebrity worship. (4 marks)

Topic: Media Psychology

0 9 Discuss what research studies have told us about the positive effects of computers  and/or video games on behaviour. (4 marks + 6 marks)

1 0 Describe one explanation for the persuasiveness of television advertising. (4 marks)

1 1 As part of his research into intense fandom, a psychologist examined comments posted  on a fan website for a famous ‘boyband’. He found that most fans discussed concerts,  favourite songs and band souvenirs. However, a small number were more intensely  involved with the band. These fans spent their weekends following the band around  the country when they were on tour, in the hope of catching a glimpse of their favourite  celebrities. They visited the fan website several times a day to discuss the latest tweets  posted by the band members on Twitter.

 How would psychological research into intense fandom explain the different kinds of  relationships with celebrities in the above scenario? (10 marks)