Option A
Can we exist as individuals outside other people’s influence?
Critically discuss how other people can affect how we behave and learn by drawing on Weeks 2, 3 and 16.
Option B
Why are we sometimes negative or even hostile towards other people?
Critically discuss this question by drawing on Weeks 4, 7 and 9.
Process and content words for Option A
The question asks you to critically discuss a statement or assumption. The word ‘critically’ indicates that you should make a judgement backed by a reasoned discussion of the evidence involved and describe what psychology says about how humans are influenced by others around them. The word ‘discuss’ indicates that you need to consider the arguments for different ideas, and the strengths and weaknesses of evidence supporting them. Do remember that you are not being asked to offer your personal opinion; you will need to provide evidence from psychological theories and research to support your position.
The content words for Option A are ‘can we exist as individuals outside other people`s influence’. This means that you need to consider relevant research evidence and theory, focusing on the extent to which the influence of other people affects our learning and behaviour. You are told to focus your essay on materials from Week 2 (Book 1, Chapter 2), Week 3 (Book 1, Chapter 3) and Week 16 (Book 2, Chapter 4).
Process and content words for Option B
The question asks you to critically discuss psychological research and theory using the module materials. The word ‘critically’ indicates that you should make a judgement backed by a reasoned discussion of the evidence involved and describe the merit of the psychological theories discussed. The word ‘discuss’ indicates that you need to consider how valid different psychological explanations are with respect to understanding why we are sometimes negative or even hostile towards other people.
Do remember that you are not being asked to offer your personal opinion; you will need to provide evidence from psychological theories and research to support your position.
The content words for Option B are ‘Why are we sometimes hostile or negative towards other people?’. This means that you need to consider relevant research evidence and theory that examines human negativity or hostility towards other people and the factors that can facilitate it in both interpersonal and group settings. You are asked to focus your essay on materials from Week 4 (Book 1, Chapter 4), Week 7 (Book 1, Chapter 6), and Week 9 (Book 1, Chapter 8)
