Tackling part a) questions

You've got to answer 4 part a) questions for the G543 paper, and it's important to get them right because it's a lot easier to get top marks in this part than part b). 

If you're struggling on how to go about it, here's how I answer part a):

• Is it asking about a theory or research? Some sections don't really have "theories" as such, like the stress subsection, but you'll need a bit of an intro. If they're asking about a theory, it won't hurt to make the last paragraph a bit of a study to help illustrate your point. It's generally what they're looking for.
• Identify what the question is asking you, and actually answer it. Pre-learned part a)s won't be the most effective way of gaining marks; you need to apply your knowledge of studies and theories to the actual question.  
• Keep referring back to the question.

Generally, this is my structure:

1. Set the scene. If it's a question on the behavioural approach to managing stress, briefly define stress and outline the assumption of the behaviourist approach. You might also want to list that there are many approaches to managing stress, but it's not necessary. 

e.g. Stress is the body's response to either physical, emotional or mental demands that are perceived to stretch an individual in some way (often because they may feel they are unable to deal with it). Some stress is good, like stress that makes you want to revise, but some stress is unnecessary and has a strong aversive effect on overall health. There are many proposed ways to manage stress. The behavioural approach to psychology believes that all behaviour, including stress is learned, and thus assumes that you can learn to manage stress.

2. The theory. Start with the basic explanation, as simple as you can. Then you can expand on it and show what you know, giving the example of a specific or main theory. 

e.g. The behavioural approach to managing stress often includes teaching stressed clients to be aware of their central nervous system and their stress, and then learning how to reduce the stress. This is often also combined with positive reinforcements. One key behavioural technique of managing stress emphasises the role of biofeedback. It involves being taught relaxation techniques, whilst being made aware of the effect on the body that they have, and then receiving feedback on their progress, through the use of biodots, or heart rate monitors which show the physical reduction of stress. This use of double positive reinforcement in the form of relaxation and biofeedback is supposed to help the client feel in control of their stress.

3. The study. Even if the question doesn't ask for it, I would rarely recommend skipping this step. It helps to illustrate your understanding and get you those full marks.

e.g. One study which illustrates how the behaviourist approach uses biofeedback to manage stress was conducted by Budzynski et al. It was a field experiment involving 18 volunteers with tension headaches who were split into three conditions. Group 1 received relaxation training for 2 weekly sessions for 8 weeks, during which they had their muscle tension measured by an EMG. They were informed of the biofeedback in the form of clicks as their positive reinforcement; more clicks meant higher tension, and thus they were encouraged to relax. Group 2 had the same relaxation training but didn't have accurate biofeedback, and Group 3 was a control group with neither. Both experimental groups showed improvement in tension headaches and other stress-related illnesses such as hysteria and depression, but Group 1 showed the most improvement. This suggests that biofeedback is one technique in which stress can be managed. 

If there's a question you'd like me to go over, leave a comment and I'll take a look.