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Matt is 16 years old and has been getting into fights when he goes out with his friends - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 16 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 16
Matt is 16 years old and has been getting into fights when he goes out with his friends. His mother blames his friends, however, Matt denies this and says he cannot ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Matt is 16 years old and has been getting into fights when he goes out with his friends - AQA - A-Level Psychology - Question 16 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
AO1: Explain Social and Biological Psychology
Answer
Social psychology examines how individuals behave in social contexts and highlights concepts such as obedience and social influence. For example, social impact theory posits that factors like the strength, immediacy, and number of people involved impact social behaviour. Biological psychology, on the other hand, focuses on the physiological and evolutionary aspects, suggesting that biological factors, such as hormones, play a significant role in behaviour. Notably, high testosterone levels are linked to aggression.
Step 2
AO2: Apply to Matt's Context
Answer
In Matt's situation, he might be pressured by friends or a gang leader to engage in fights, indicating social influence at play. The need to assert dominance among peers can lead to aggressive behaviour, as he may be trying to demonstrate his strength, especially as a young male surrounded by other males. Moreover, Matt's age suggests he may be experiencing heightened testosterone levels, which could contribute to his inclination toward aggression.
Step 3
AO3: Evaluate the Explanations
Answer
Research by Blass (2012) suggests that obedient behaviour can be understood cross-culturally, providing a framework to evaluate Matt's traits within a social context. However, social psychology often overlooks individual personality differences, which may also affect his behaviour adversely. Furthermore, Raine (1997) indicates that aggression might stem from distinct neurological patterns in individuals, implying that purely social explanations may not fully capture Matt's actions. Other unconscious processes may also be involved, adding complexity to the evaluation of Matt’s behaviour using only social and biological perspectives.