Example Answer for Question 5 Paper 2: AS Psychology, June 2017 (AQA)

Section A - Approaches in Psychology

Question 5: Brief Explanation [2 Marks] - Inference

Suggested Answer: Because cognitive psychologists are unable to directly observe mental processes (e.g. memory, perception, etc.) they study cognitive processes indirectly by making inferences. An inference is where a psychologist makes a reasoned conclusion about mental processes based on observable behaviour. Such inferences allow cognitive psychologists to generate theories and models, for example, the multi-store model of memory, which is a theoretical model which is an inferred representation of human memory.

Please Note: These answers have been produced without the knowledge of the mark scheme and merely reflect my attempt at producing a model answer on the day of the exam. These answers are not endorsed or approved by AQA.