Topic outline

  • Collapse all Expand all
    AO1 Knowledge and understanding


    Cambridge International AS & A Level Psychology 9990 (for examination from 2024)
    Skills Exercises - AO1 Knowledge and understanding

  • Exercise 1: Key terminology

    • Activity 3: Specialist options key terms

    • Learners should have access to a set of definitions for as many key terms as possible. Most of the key terms are found in the syllabus and can be gained from a suitable textbook or internet source.

      Give pairs of learners a different topic from the syllabus. For example, the A Level subject content for Specialist Option 2: Consumer Psychology is split into the following topics:

      Topic

      Sub-topics

      2.1 The physical environment

      2.1.1 Retail store design

      2.1.2 Sound and consumer behaviour

      2.1.3 Retail atmospherics

      2.2 The psychological environment

      2.2.1 Environmental influences on consumers

      2.2.2 Menu design psychology

      2.2.3 Consumer behaviour and personal space

      2.3 Consumer decision-making

      2.3.1 Consumer decision-making

      2.3.2 Choice heuristics

      2.3.3 Mistakes in decision-making

      2.4 The product

      2.4.1 Packaging and positioning of a product

      2.4.2 Selling the product

      2.4.3 Buying the product

      2.5 Advertising

      2.5.1 Types of advertising and advertising techniques

      2.5.2 Advertising–consumer interaction

      2.5.3 Brand awareness and recognition

      Using Worksheet 3: Specialist options key terms, learners find a definition for every key term they can find in their topic of choice from the specialist options and record it.

      Use Worksheet 3: Specialist options key terms answers to lead a class discussion when completed Discuss and fill in any gaps so learners have a complete definition list.

      Alternatively, it is possible to build a vocabulary list while teaching the syllabus. As each topic of the syllabus is taught, give learners the correct definitions.