Examiners’ Report - Principal Examiner Feedback - Summer 2023 - Pearson Edexcel GCE Psychology (8PS0) Paper 1

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

Examiners’ Report for Summer 2023 Pearson Edexcel GCE Psychology (8PS0), Paper 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology. It reviews candidate performance across short and extended response questions, highlighting strong understanding of key topic areas and effective evaluation of research methods such as interviews and field experiments. It notes many candidates can apply Milgram’s obedience research to scenarios. Improvement priorities include handling statistical-test calculations and revisiting Type I/Type II errors, plus meeting AO3 assessment requirements for judgement-based answers grounded in concepts like reliability and validity.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

General Comments

Paper Summary

Strength or weakness questions

Theoretical knowledge vs everyday descriptions

Investigative improvements

Comments on Individual Questions

Q01a

Q01b

Q02a

Examiners’Report Principal Examiner Feedback Summer 2023 Pearson Edexcel GCE Psychology (8PS0) Paper 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology Edexcel and BTEC Qualifications Edexcel and BTEC qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body. We provide a wide range of qualifications including academic, vocational, occupational and specific programmes for employers. For further information visit our qualifications websites at [www.edexcel.com](www.edexcel.com) or [www.btec.co.uk](www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively)[. Alternatively](www.btec.co.uk. Alternatively), you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at [www.edexcel.com/contactus](www.edexcel.com/contactus). Pearson: helping people progress, everywhere Pearson aspires to be the world’s leading learning company. Our aim is to help everyone progress in their lives through education. We believe in every kind of learning, for all kinds of people, wherever they are in the world. We’ve been involved in education for over 150 years, and by working across 70 countries, in 100 languages, we have built an international reputation for our commitment to high standards and raising achievement through innovation in education. Find out more about how we can help you and your students at: [www.pearson.com/uk](www.pearson.com/uk) Summer 2023 Publications Code 8PS0_01_ 2306_ER All the material in this publication is copyright © Pearson Education Ltd 2023 General Comments The examination structure provided a range of question types over two main sections, social psychology, and cognitive psychology, with a final extended response requiring candidates to address a theme that occurs in both social and cognitive psychology. Good psychological knowledge and understanding was demonstrated by many candidates, and it was clear that they had a good working knowledge of the topic areas. There were very few unanswered questions and many of the questions were attempted in some detail which benefited the candidates. Candidates showed particular strengths in evaluating the use of interviews and field experiments when conducting research in psychology. Many candidates also were able to accurately apply their understanding of Milgram’s research into obedience to a scenario which was pleasing to see. Areas of improvement to consider would be questions that require the calculations in respect of statistical tests. The candidates should also revisit Type I and Type II errors as this was an area where many candidates found it difficult to provide a creditworthy response. The longer response questions requiring AO3 appeared to challenge students at the lower end of the grade boundaries. It is important for candidates to understand the requirements of the questions in terms of the taxonomy. When a question requires an assessment to be made, candidates must make a judgement. It is also important to apply the assessment to a concept if it is required by the question, for example, in respect of obedience, in terms of reliability and validity. Paper Summary Based on their performance on this paper candidate are offered the following advice: • In a strength or weakness question, if candidates choose to use alternative theories or studies to support or negate the strength or weakness, it is important to use elements of the studies/theories rather than just naming them as this is not a justification point unless applied. • Candidates need to understand when considering factors such as personality or individual differences that it is the theoretical knowledge of these concepts that need to be used as opposed to everyday descriptions which do not demonstrate psychological knowledge. • Questions that require an improvement to an investigation need to use elements of the scenario and relate these in terms of the target population if some element of the sample has been chosen. Simply increasing sample size is not considered a suitable improve

FAQs

What overall strengths did candidates show on Paper 1?

Many candidates demonstrated good psychological knowledge and understanding, with very few unanswered questions. Stronger performance was seen in evaluating interviews and field experiments and applying Milgram’s obedience research to scenarios.

Which areas need improvement according to the report?

The report highlights difficulties with calculations for statistical tests and recommends revisiting Type I and Type II errors. It also notes that extended AO3 responses challenge students near the grade boundaries.

How should candidates approach questions that require assessment or judgement (AO3)?

When a question requires an assessment, candidates must make a judgement and apply that assessment to the concept named in the question. For example, in obedience questions, evaluation should reference reliability and validity rather than only restating a study procedure.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven