16.2.11

Institutional Aggression: Prisons

Test yourself

Dispositional Explanation of Aggression

Institutional aggression refers to an aggressive or violent behaviour that takes place within the social context of a formal organised setting. It can be explained in terms of disposition or situation.

Illustrative background for Disposition or situationIllustrative background for Disposition or situation ?? "content

Disposition or situation

  • Institutional aggression can be explained in terms of disposition or situation:
    • Dispositional explanations highlight the importance of individual personality (a.k.a. their disposition!)
      • One dispositional explanation is known as the importation model.
    • Situational explanations identify causes of behaviour that exist within the environment.
Illustrative background for The importation modelIllustrative background for The importation model ?? "content

The importation model

  • Developed by Irwin and Cressey (1962), the importation model is the most influential dispositional explanation of how aggression develops within prisons.
  • It argues that prisoners are not completely insulated from life outside; prison inmates come from the real world and bring with them a subculture typical of criminality.
    • This includes beliefs, values, norms, attitudes, and a history of learning experiences, as well as other personal characteristics such as gender, race and class.
Illustrative background for The convict subcultureIllustrative background for The convict subculture ?? "content

The convict subculture

  • The willingness of inmates to use violence inside prison to settle disputes reflects their lives before they were imprisoned.
  • Inmates, therefore, import behaviours as a means of negotiating their way through the unfamiliar and frightening prison environment.
  • In this environment, existing inmates use aggression to establish power, status, influence and access to resources; in other words, the convict subculture.
Illustrative background for Predisposed aggressionIllustrative background for Predisposed aggression ?? "content

Predisposed aggression

  • Aggression is therefore the product of individual characteristics of inmates and not of the prison environment.
  • Inmates predisposed to using violence would be likely to do so in any setting.
Illustrative background for __Delisi et al. (2011)__ Illustrative background for __Delisi et al. (2011)__ ?? "content

Delisi et al. (2011)

  • Delisi et al. (2011) studied 813 juvenile delinquents confined in Californian institutions.
  • These were inmates who brought into confinement several negative dispositional features such as:
    • Experiences of childhood trauma, high levels of anger and irritability, a history of substance abuse, and a history of violent behaviour.
Illustrative background for __Delisi et al. (2011)__ findingsIllustrative background for __Delisi et al. (2011)__ findings ?? "content

Delisi et al. (2011) findings

  • These inmates were more likely to engage in suicidal activity and sexual misconduct, and committed more acts of physical violence when compared to a control group of inmates with fewer negative dispositional factors.

Situational Explanation of Aggression

Institutional aggression refers to an aggressive or violent behaviour that takes place within the social context of a formal organised setting. It can be explained in terms of disposition or situation.

Illustrative background for Situational explanations Illustrative background for Situational explanations ?? "content

Situational explanations

  • In contrast to dispositional factors, situational explanations identify the causes of behaviour as existing within the environment, which may include other people.
Illustrative background for The deprivation modelIllustrative background for The deprivation model ?? "content

The deprivation model

  • Clemmer (1958) developed the deprivation model.
  • This places the causes of institutional aggression within the prison environment itself.
  • According to Clemmer, harsh prison conditions are stressful for inmates, who have to cope by resorting to aggression and often violent behaviour.
Illustrative background for Prison conditionsIllustrative background for Prison conditions ?? "content

Prison conditions

  • These conditions include being deprived of freedom, independence, goods and services, safety, and heterosexual intimacy.
  • Deprivation of material goods is especially important because it increases competition amongst inmates to acquire them, which is often accompanied by a corresponding increase in aggression.
Illustrative background for Prison regimeIllustrative background for Prison regime ?? "content

Prison regime

  • Aggression is also influenced by the nature of the prison regime.
  • Prison regimes can be unpredictable and regularly use ‘lock-ups’ to control behaviour.
  • This creates frustration, reduces stimulation by barring other more interesting activities, and reduces access to goods even further.
  • This is a recipe for violence, which becomes an adaptive solution to the problem of deprivation.
Illustrative background for __Steiner (2009)__Illustrative background for __Steiner (2009)__ ?? "content

Steiner (2009)

  • Steiner (2009) investigated factors that predicted inmate aggression in 512 US prisons.
  • In this study, the factors reliably predicted aggression in line with the deprivation model.
Illustrative background for __Steiner (2009)__ resultsIllustrative background for __Steiner (2009)__ results ?? "content

Steiner (2009) results

  • Steiner found that inmate-on-inmate violence was more common in prisons where there were higher proportions of:
    • Female staff,
    • Black inmates,
    • Hispanic inmates,
    • Inmates in protective custody for their own safety.
  • These represent prison level factors because they are independent of the individual characteristics of inmates.
  • This supports the deprivation model.

Studies on Dispositional & Situational Aggression

Harer and Steffensmeier (1996) investigated the dispositional explanation of violence in prisons. Magargee (1977) investigated the effect of overcrowding (population density) in prisons and violent behaviour.

Illustrative background for **Harer and Steffensmeier** methodIllustrative background for **Harer and Steffensmeier** method ?? "content

Harer and Steffensmeier method

  • Case study.
  • Data was examined from 58 male prisons in the US. They looked for racial differences in violence and drug/alcohol misuse.
Illustrative background for **Harer and Steffensmeier** resultsIllustrative background for **Harer and Steffensmeier** results ?? "content

Harer and Steffensmeier results

  • Results
    • Black males were more likely to be involved in violent incidents, whilst white males were more likely to be involved in drug/alcohol misuse.
  • Conclusion
    • Supports the importation model which suggests inmates ‘import’ their outside of prison behaviour into prison. Also supports the dispositional explanation of aggression that suggests that aggressive behaviour is a character trait and not a result of the situation.
Illustrative background for **Harer and Steffensmeier** evaluationIllustrative background for **Harer and Steffensmeier** evaluation ?? "content

Harer and Steffensmeier evaluation

  • Strengths
    • Ecological validity.
    • Large sample.
  • Limitations
    • Racism – cultural bias.
    • Ignores socioeconomic factors outside of prison.
Illustrative background for **Magargee (1977)** methodIllustrative background for **Magargee (1977)** method ?? "content

Magargee (1977) method

  • A correlation.
  • A prison for male young offenders was studied for 3 years. The population density and number of violent incidents were correlated.
Illustrative background for **Magargee (1977)** resultsIllustrative background for **Magargee (1977)** results ?? "content

Magargee (1977) results

  • Results
    • A positive correlation was discovered. The more overcrowded the prison was, the more incidents of violence were recorded.
  • Conclusion
    • Chronic overcrowding, which is common in many prisons, increases violence. Suggesting situational factors have a large influence on aggression.
Illustrative background for Evaluation of **Magargee (1977)**Illustrative background for Evaluation of **Magargee (1977)** ?? "content

Evaluation of Magargee (1977)

  • Strengths
    • Ecological validity.
    • Practical applications.
  • Limitations
    • Correlations cannot show cause.
    • Individual, cultural and social variations.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

1.1Social Influence

1.1.1(2026 Exams) Conformity

1.1.2(2027 Exams) Conformity

1.1.3(2027 Exams) Jenness' Conformity Study

1.1.4Asch (1951)

1.1.5Sherif (1935)

1.1.6(2026 Exams) Conformity to Social Roles

1.1.7(2027 Exams) Conformity to Social Roles

1.1.8(2026 Exams) BBC Prison Study

1.1.9(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Conformity

1.1.10(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Conformity

1.1.11Obedience

1.1.12Analysing Milgram's Experiment

1.1.13Agentic State & Legitimate Authority

1.1.14Variables of Obedience

1.1.15Resistance to Social Influence

1.1.16(2026 Exams) Minority Influence & Social Change

1.1.17(2027 Exams) Minority Influence & Social Change

1.1.18Minority Influence & Social Impact Theory

1.1.19End of Topic Test - Social Influences

1.1.20Exam-Style Question - Conformity

1.1.21Top Grade AO2/AO3 - Social Influence

2Memory

2.1Memory

2.1.1Multi-Store Model of Memory

2.1.2Short-Term vs Long-Term Memory

2.1.3(2026 Exam) Long-Term Memory

2.1.4Support for the Multi-Store Model of Memory

2.1.5Duration Studies

2.1.6Capacity Studies

2.1.7Coding Studies

2.1.8The Working Memory Model

2.1.9The Working Memory Model 2

2.1.10Support for the Working Memory Model

2.1.11Explanations for Forgetting

2.1.12Studies on Interference

2.1.13Cue-Dependent Forgetting

2.1.14Eye Witness Testimony - Loftus & Palmer

2.1.15Eye Witness Testimony - Loftus

2.1.16Eyewitness Testimony - Post-Event Discussion

2.1.17Eyewitness Testimony - Age & Anxiety

2.1.18Cognitive Interview

2.1.19Cognitive Interview - Geiselman & Fisher

2.1.20End of Topic Test - Memory

2.1.21Exam-Style Question - Memory

2.1.22(2026 Exam) A-A* (AO3/4) - Memory

3Attachment

3.1Attachment

3.1.1(2026 Exams) Caregiver-Infant Interaction

3.1.2(2026 Exams) Condon & Sander (1974)

3.1.3(2026 Exams) Schaffer & Emerson (1964)

3.1.4(2026 Exams) Multiple Attachments

3.1.5(2026 Exams) Studies on the Role of the Father

3.1.6(2027 Exams) The Concept of Attachment

3.1.7Animal Studies of Attachment

3.1.8Explanations of Attachment

3.1.9Attachment Types - Strange Situation

3.1.10Cultural Differences in Attachment

3.1.11Disruption of Attachment

3.1.12Disruption of Attachment - Privation

3.1.13Overcoming the Effects of Disruption

3.1.14(2026 Exam) The Effects of Institutionalisation

3.1.15(2027 Exam) The Effects of Institutionalisation

3.1.16Early Attachment

3.1.17Critical Period of Attachment

3.1.18(2026 Exam) End of Topic Test - Attachment

3.1.19(2027 Exam) End of Topic Test - Attachment

3.1.20(2026 Exams) Exam-Style Question - Attachment

3.1.21(2027 Exams) Exam-Style Question - Attachment

3.1.22Top Grade AO2/AO3 - Attachment

4(2026 Exams) Psychopathology

4.1Psychopathology

4.1.1Abnormality

4.1.2Abnormality 2

4.1.3Phobias, Depression & OCD

4.1.4Phobias: Behavioural Approach

4.1.5Evaluation of Behavioural Explanations of Phobias

4.1.6Depression: Cognitive Approach

4.1.7OCD: Biological Approach

4.1.8Evidence for the Biological Approach

4.1.9End of Topic Test - Psychopathy

4.1.10Exam-Style Question - Phobias

4.1.11Top Grade AO2/AO3 - Psychopathology

4.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Phobia vs Fear

4.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Depression & Self-Harm

4.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Desensitisation

5(2027 Exams) Clinical Psychology & Mental Health

5.1Clinical Psychology & Mental Health

5.1.1Deviation from Social Norms

5.1.2Deviation from Social Norms 2

5.1.3Phobias, Depression & OCD

5.1.4Phobias: Behavioural Approach

5.1.5Evaluation of Behavioural Explanations of Phobias

5.1.6Depression: Cognitive Approach

5.1.7OCD: Biological Approach

5.1.8Evidence for the Biological Approach

5.1.9End of Topic Test - Psychopathy

5.1.10Exam-Style Question - Phobias

5.1.11Top Grade AO2/AO3 - Psychopathology

5.1.12Diagnostic Misconceptions - Phobia vs Fear

5.1.13Diagnostic Misconceptions - Depression & Self-Harm

5.1.14Diagnostic Misconceptions - Desensitisation

6Approaches in Psychology

6.1Approaches in Psychology

6.1.1(2026 Exams) Psychology as a Science

6.1.2(2026 Exams) Origins of Psychology

6.1.3(2026 Exams) Problems with Introspection

6.1.4The Behaviourist Approach - Classical Conditioning

6.1.5Pavlov's Experiment

6.1.6Little Albert Study

6.1.7The Behaviourist Approach - Operant Conditioning

6.1.8(2026 Exams) Social Learning Theory

6.1.9(2026 Exam) The Cognitive Approach 1

6.1.10(2026 Exams)The Cognitive Approach 2

6.1.11(2026 Exams) The Biological Approach

6.1.12(2027 Exams) Social Learning Theory

6.1.13(2027 Exams) The Cognitive Approach 1

6.1.14(2027 Exams)The Cognitive Approach 2

6.1.15(2027 Exams) The Biological Approach

6.1.16(2027 Exam) The Biological Approach 2

6.1.17Gottesman (1991) - Twin Studies

6.1.18Brain Scanning

6.1.19Structure of Personality & Little Hans

6.1.20The Psychodynamic Approach (A2 only)

6.1.21(2026 Exams) Humanistic Psychology (A2 only)

6.1.22(2027 Exams) Humanistic Psychology (A2 only)

6.1.23Aronoff (1957) (A2 Only)

6.1.24(2026 Exam) Rogers' Client-Centred Therapy A2 only

6.1.25(2026 Exam) Exam-Style Question - Approaches

6.1.26(2026 Exam) End of Topic Test - Approaches

6.1.27(2027 Exam) End of Topic Test - Approaches

6.2Comparison of Approaches (A2 only)

6.2.1Psychodynamic Approach

6.2.2Cognitive Approach

6.2.3Biological Approach

6.2.4Behavioural Approach

6.2.5End of Topic Test - Comparison of Approaches

7Biopsychology

7.1Biopsychology

7.1.1Nervous System Divisions

7.1.2Neuron Structure & Function

7.1.3Neurotransmitters

7.1.4Endocrine System Function

7.1.5Fight or Flight Response

7.1.6The Brain (A2 only)

7.1.7Localisation of Brain Function (A2 only)

7.1.8(2026 Exam) Studying the Brain (A2 only)

7.1.9(2026 Exam) CIMT (A2 Only) & Postmortem

7.1.10(2027 Exam) Studying the Brain (A2 only)

7.1.11(2027 Exam) CIMT (A2 Only) & Postmortem

7.1.12(2026 Exams) Biological Rhythms (A2 only)

7.1.13(2026 Exams) Studies on Biological Rhythms (A2)

7.1.14Top Grade AO2/AO3 - Biopsychology

7.1.15Diagnostic Misconceptions - Plasticity & Recovery

7.1.16Diagnostic Misconceptions - Endogenous Pacemakers

7.1.17(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Biopsychology

7.1.18(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Biopsychology

8Research Methods

8.1Research Methods

8.1.1Experimental Method

8.1.2Observational Techniques

8.1.3Covert, Overt & Controlled Observation

8.1.4Self-Report Techniques

8.1.5Correlations

8.1.6Exam-Style Question - Research Methods

8.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Sign Test

8.1.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Content & Thematic

8.1.9Diagnostic Misconceptions - Valid vs Reliable

8.1.10Diagnostic Misconceptions - Confounding Variable

8.1.11End of Topic Test - Research Methods

8.2Scientific Processes

8.2.1(2026 Exam) Aims, Hypotheses & Sampling

8.2.2(2027 Exam) Aims, Hypotheses & Sampling

8.2.3Pilot Studies & Design

8.2.4Questionnaires

8.2.5(2026 Exam) Variables & Control

8.2.6(2027 Exam) Variables & Control

8.2.7Demand Characteristics & Investigator Effects

8.2.8Ethics

8.2.9Limitations of Ethical Guidelines

8.2.10Consent & Protection from Harm Studies

8.2.11Peer Review & The Economy

8.2.12(2026 Exams) Validity (A2 only)

8.2.13(2026 Exams) Reliability (A2 only)

8.2.14(2027 Exams) Validity (A2 only)

8.2.15(2027 Exams) Reliability (A2 only)

8.2.16Features of Science (A2 only)

8.2.17Paradigms & Falsifiability (A2 only)

8.2.18Scientific Report (A2 only)

8.2.19Scientific Report 2 (A2 only)

8.2.20(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Scientific

8.2.21(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Scientific

8.3Data Handling & Analysis

8.3.1Types of Data

8.3.2Descriptive Statistics

8.3.3Correlation

8.3.4Evaluation of Descriptive Statistics

8.3.5Presentation & Display of Data

8.3.6Levels of Measurement (A2 only)

8.3.7(2026 Exams) Content Analysis (A2 only)

8.3.8(2027 Exams) Coding in Content Analysis (A2 only)

8.3.9Case Studies (A2 only)

8.3.10(2026 Exams) Thematic Analysis (A2 only)

8.3.11(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Data Handling

8.3.12(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Data Handling

8.4Inferential Testing

8.4.1Introduction to Inferential Testing

8.4.2Sign Test

8.4.3Piaget Conservation Experiment

8.4.4Non-Parametric Tests

9Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9.1Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9.1.1Culture Bias

9.1.2Sub-Culture Bias

9.1.3Gender Bias

9.1.4Ethnocentrism

9.1.5Cross Cultural Research

9.1.6Free Will & Determinism

9.1.7Comparison of Free Will & Determinism

9.1.8Reductionism & Holism

9.1.9Reductionist & Holistic Approaches

9.1.10Nature-Nurture Debate

9.1.11Interactionist Approach

9.1.12Nature-Nurture Methods

9.1.13Nature-Nurture Approaches

9.1.14Idiographic & Nomothetic Approaches

9.1.15Socially Sensitive Research

9.1.16End of Topic Test - Issues and Debates

10Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10.1Relationships: Sexual Relationships (A2 only)

10.1.1(2026 Exams) Sexual Selection

10.1.2(2026 Exams) Intersexual & Intrasexual

10.1.3(2026 Exams) Evaluation of Sexual Selection

10.1.4Factors Affecting Attraction: Self-Disclosure

10.1.5Evaluation of Self-Disclosure Theory

10.1.6Factors Affecting Attraction: Physical Attributes

10.1.7Matching Hypothesis Studies

10.1.8Factors Affecting Physical Attraction

10.1.9Factors Affecting Attraction: Filter Theory 1

10.1.10Factors Affecting Attraction: Filter Theory 2

10.1.11Evaluation of Filter Theory

10.1.12(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Relationships

10.1.13(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Relationships

10.2Relationships: Romantic Relationships (A2 only)

10.2.1Social Exchange Theory

10.2.2Evaluation of Social Exchange Theory

10.2.3Equity Theory

10.2.4Evaluation of Equity Theory

10.2.5Rusbult’s Investment Model

10.2.6Evaluation of Rusbult's Investment Model

10.2.7Relationship Breakdown

10.2.8Studies on Relationship Breakdown

10.2.9Evaluation of Relationship Breakdown

10.2.10End of Topic Test - Romantic relationships

10.3(2026 Exams) Relationships: Virtual (A2 only)

10.3.1Virtual Relationships in Social Media

10.3.2Evaluation of Reduced Cues & Hyperpersonal

10.3.3Self Disclosure in Computer Communication

10.3.4Parasocial Relationships

10.3.5Attachment Theory & Parasocial Relationships

10.3.6Evaluation of Parasocial Relationship Theories

10.3.7End of Topic Test - Virtual & Parasocial Realtions

10.4(2027 Exams) Relationships: Online (A2 only)

10.4.1Online Relationships

10.4.2Evaluation of Reduced Cues & Hyperpersonal

10.4.3Self Disclosure in Online Relationships

10.4.4Parasocial Relationships

10.4.5Attachment Theory & Parasocial Relationships

10.4.6Evaluation of Parasocial Relationship Theories

10.4.7End of Topic Test - Online Relationships

11Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11.1(2026 Exams) Gender (A2 only)

11.1.1Sex, Gender & Androgyny

11.1.2Gender Identity Disorder

11.1.3Biological & Social Explanations of GID

11.1.4Biological Influences on Gender

11.1.5Effects of Hormones on Gender

11.1.6Kohlberg’s Theory of Gender Constancy

11.1.7Evaluation of Kohlberg's Theory

11.1.8Gender Schema Theory

11.1.9Psychodynamic Approach to Gender Development 1

11.1.10Psychodynamic Approach to Gender Development 2

11.1.11Social Approach to Gender Development

11.1.12Criticisms of Social Theory

11.1.13Media Influence on Gender Development

11.1.14Cross Cultural Research

11.1.15Childcare & Gender Roles

11.1.16End of Topic Test - Gender 1

11.1.17End of Topic Test - Gender 2

11.1.18End of Topic Test - Gender 3

11.2(2027 Exams) Gender (A2 only)

11.2.1Biological Sex

11.2.2The Role of Hormones in Biological Sex

11.2.3Biological Explanations of Gender Development

11.2.4Gender Identities & BSRI

11.2.5Kohlberg’s Theory of Gender Constancy

11.2.6Evaluation of Kohlberg's Theory

11.2.7Gender Schema Theory

11.2.8Social Approach to Gender Development

11.2.9Criticisms of Social Theory

11.2.10Media Influence on Gender Development

11.2.11Gender Incongruence

11.2.12End of Topic Test - Gender

12Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12.1Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12.1.1Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development 1

12.1.2Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development 2

12.1.3Schema Accommodation Assimilation & Equilibration

12.1.4Piaget & Inhelder’s Three Mountains Task (1956)

12.1.5Conservation & Class Inclusion

12.1.6Evaluation of Piaget

12.1.7Vygotsky

12.1.8Evaluation of Vygotsky

12.1.9Baillargeon

12.1.10Baillargeon's studies

12.1.11Evaluation of Baillargeon

12.1.12(2026 Exams) Sense of Self & Theory of Mind

12.1.13(2027 Exams) Sense of Self & Theory of Mind

12.1.14(2026 Exams) Baron-Cohen Studies

12.1.15(2027 Exams) Baron-Cohen Studies

12.1.16Selman’s Five Levels of Perspective Taking

12.1.17Biological Basis of Social Cognition

12.1.18Evaluation of Biological Basis of Social Cognition

12.1.19(2026 Exams) Issues in Social Neuroscience

12.1.20(2027 Exams) Issues in Social Neuroscience

12.1.21Top Grade AO2/AO3 - Cognition & Development

12.1.22End of Topic Test - Cognition & Development 1

12.1.23End of Topic Test - Cognition & Development 2

12.1.24(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Cognition 3

12.1.25(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Cognition 3

13Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13.1Schizophrenia: Diagnosis (A2 only)

13.1.1(2026 Exam) Classification & Diagnosis

13.1.2(2026 Exam) Symptoms of Schizophrenia

13.1.3(2026 Exams) Reliability & Validity of Diagnosis

13.1.4(2027 Exam) Symptoms of Schizophrenia

13.1.5(2026 Exams) Gender & Cultural Bias

13.1.6(2027 Exams) Issues in Diagnosis

13.1.7Pinto (2017) & Copeland (1971)

13.1.8(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Schizophrenia

13.1.9(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Schizophrenia

13.2Schizophrenia: Treatment (A2 only)

13.2.1Family-Based Psychological Explanations

13.2.2Evaluation of Family-Based Explanations

13.2.3Cognitive Explanations

13.2.4Drug Therapies

13.2.5Evaluation of Drug Therapies

13.2.6Biological Explanations for Schizophrenia

13.2.7Dopamine Hypothesis

13.2.8(2026 Exams) Psychological Therapies 1

13.2.9(2027 Exams) Psychological Therapies 1

13.2.10(2026 Exams) Psychological Therapies 2

13.2.11(2027 Exams) Psychological Therapies 2

13.2.12Interactionist Approach - Diathesis-Stress Model

13.2.13Interactionist Approach - Triggers & Treatment

13.2.14Evaluation of the Interactionist Approach

13.2.15(2026 Exams) Evaluation of Psychological Therapies

13.2.16(2027 Exams) Evaluation of Psychological Therapies

13.2.17Diagnostic Misconceptions - CBT & CBTp

13.2.18End of Topic Test - Treatments 1

13.2.19(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Treatments 2

13.2.20(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Treatments 2

14Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14.1Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14.1.1Explanations for Food Preferences

14.1.2Birch et al (1987) & Lowe et al (2004)

14.1.3Control of Eating Behaviours

14.1.4Control of Eating Behaviour: Leptin

14.1.5Biological Explanations for Anorexia Nervosa

14.1.6Psychological Explanations: Family Systems Theory

14.1.7Psychological Explanations: Social Learning Theory

14.1.8Psychological Explanations: Cognitive Theory

14.1.9Biological Explanations for Obesity

14.1.10Biological Explanations: Studies

14.1.11(2026 Exams) Psychological Explanations

14.1.12(2027 Exams) Psychological Explanations

14.1.13(2026 Exams) Psychological Explanations: Studies

14.1.14(2027 Exams) Psychological Explanations: Studies

14.1.15End of Topic Test - Eating Behaviour

15Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15.1Stress (A2 only)

15.1.1Physiology of Stress

15.1.2Role of Stress in Illness

15.1.3Role of Stress in Illness: Studies

15.1.4Social Readjustment Rating Scales

15.1.5Hassles & Uplifts Scales

15.1.6Stress, Workload & Control

15.1.7Stress Level Studies

15.1.8Physiological Measures of Stress

15.1.9Individual Differences

15.1.10Stress & Gender

15.1.11(2026 Exams) Drug Therapy & Biofeedback for Stress

15.1.12(2027 Exams) Drug Therapy & Biofeedback for Stress

15.1.13Stress Inoculation Therapy

15.1.14Social Support & Stress

15.1.15End of Topic Test - Stress 1

15.1.16(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Stress 2

15.1.17(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Stress 2

16Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16.1Aggression: Physiological (A2 only)

16.1.1Neural Mechanisms

16.1.2Serotonin

16.1.3Hormonal Mechanisms

16.1.4Genetic Factors

16.1.5Genetic Factors 2

16.1.6Ethological Explanation

16.1.7Innate Releasing Mechanisms & Fixed Action Pattern

16.1.8Evolutionary Explanations

16.1.9Buss et al (1992) - Sex Differences in Jealousy

16.1.10Evaluation of Evolutionary Explanations

16.1.11End of Topic Test - Aggression: Physiological 1

16.1.12End of Topic Test - Aggression: Physiological 2

16.2Aggression: Social Psychological (A2 only)

16.2.1Social Psychological Explanation

16.2.2Buss (1963) - Frustration/Aggression

16.2.3Social Psychological Explanation 2

16.2.4Social Learning Theory (SLT) 1

16.2.5Social Learning Theory (SLT) 2

16.2.6Limitations of Social Learning Theory (SLT)

16.2.7Deindividuation

16.2.8Deindividuation 2

16.2.9Deindividuation - Diener et al (1976)

16.2.10End of Topic Test - Aggression: Social Psychology

16.2.11Institutional Aggression: Prisons

16.2.12Evaluation of Dispositional & Situational

16.2.13Influence of Computer Games

16.2.14Influence of Television

16.2.15Evaluation of Studies on Media

16.2.16Desensitisation & Disinhibition

16.2.17Cognitive Priming

16.2.18End of Topic Test - Aggression: Social Psychology

17Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17.1Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17.1.1Defining Crime

17.1.2Measuring Crime

17.1.3(2026 Exams) Offender Profiling

17.1.4(2027 Exams) Offender Profiling

17.1.5Evaluation of Offender Profiling

17.1.6John Duffy Case Study

17.1.7(2026 Exams) Biological Explanations 1

17.1.8(2027 Exams) Biological Explanations 1

17.1.9Biological Explanations 2

17.1.10(2026 Exams) Evaluation- Biological Explanations

17.1.11(2027 Exams) Evaluation- Biological Explanations

17.1.12Cognitive Explanations

17.1.13Moral Reasoning

17.1.14(2026 Exams) Psychodynamic Explanation 1

17.1.15(2026 Exams) Psychodynamic Explanation 2

17.1.16Differential Association Theory

17.1.17Custodial Sentencing

17.1.18(2026 Exams) Effects of Prison

17.1.19(2027 Exams) Effects of Prison

17.1.20Evaluation of the Effects of Prison

17.1.21(2026 Exams) Recidivism

17.1.22Behavioural Treatments & Therapies

17.1.23Effectiveness of Behavioural Treatments

17.1.24Restorative Justice

17.1.25(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Forensic 1

17.1.26(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Forensic 2

17.1.27(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Forensic 1

17.1.28(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Forensic 2

18Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

18.1Addiction (A2 only)

18.1.1Definition

18.1.2(2026 Exams) Brain Neurochemistry Explanation

18.1.3(2026 Exams) Learning Theory Explanation

18.1.4(2026 Exams) Evaluation of a Learning Theory

18.1.5(2027 Exams) Brain Neurochemistry Explanation

18.1.6(2027 Exams) Learning Theory Explanation

18.1.7(2027 Exams) Evaluation of a Learning Theory

18.1.8Cognitive Bias

18.1.9Griffiths on Cognitive Bias

18.1.10Evaluation of Cognitive Theory (A2 only)

18.1.11Gambling Addiction & Learning Theory

18.1.12(2026 Exams) Social Influences on Addiction 1

18.1.13(2027 Exams) Social Influences on Addiction 1

18.1.14Social Influences on Addiction 2

18.1.15Personal Influences on Addiction

18.1.16Genetic Explanations of Addiction

18.1.17(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Addiction 1

18.1.18(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Addiction 2

18.1.19(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Addiction 1

18.1.20(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Addiction 2

18.2Treating Addiction (A2 only)

18.2.1Drug Therapy

18.2.2Behavioural Interventions

18.2.3Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

18.2.4(2026 Exams) Theory of Reasoned Action

18.2.5(2026 Exams) Theory of Planned Behaviour

18.2.6Six Stage Model of Behaviour Change

18.2.7(2026 Exams) End of Topic Test - Treating

18.2.8(2027 Exams) End of Topic Test - Treating

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End of Topic Test - Aggression: Social Psychology

Evaluation of Dispositional & Situational