Mark Scheme (Results) - Pearson Edexcel GCE Psychology (8PS0) Paper 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology - June 2023

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven

Mark scheme (results) for the Pearson Edexcel GCE Psychology qualification, focusing on Paper 1: Social and Cognitive Psychology, with publication details for June 2023. Provides general marking guidance for consistent, positive assessment, proper use of all available marks, and handling of judgement, uncertainty, and crossed-out work. Includes question-by-question exemplar answers and allocation of marks using AO1, AO2, and AO3 criteria across items such as superordinate goals, strengths and justification, personality and scenario description, and explanations tied to key theories and studies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

General Marking Guidance

Question 1

1(a)

1(b)

Question 2

2(a)

2(b)

Question 3

Mark Scheme (Results) June 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_MS All the material in this publication is copyright © Pearson Education Ltd 2306 General Marking Guidance • All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the last. • Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised for omissions. • Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according to their perception of where the grade boundaries may lie. • There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme should be used appropriately. • All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded. Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also be prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not worthy of credit according to the mark scheme. • Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the principles by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be limited. • When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be consulted. • Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has replaced it with an alternative response. | Question Number | Answer | Mark | | --- | --- | --- | | 1(a) | AO1 (1 mark)
One mark for a definition of superordinate goals.
For example:
• Superordinate goals are goals that can only be achieved by competing groups acting cooperatively (1) .
Look for other reasonable marking points. | (1) | | Question Number | Answer | Mark | | --- | --- | --- | | 1(b) | AO1 (2 marks), AO3 (2 marks)
One mark for identification of each strength (AO1) .
One mark for justification of each strength (AO3) .
For example:
• The theory can be used to help reduce prejudice in the real world by introducing cooperation between rival groups (1) by forcing the two rival groups who are competing over a scarce resource to work together on a task to minimise conflict between them (1) .
• The study by Sherif et al. (1954/1961) supports the theory as the hostility between the boys increased when they competed (1) which was shown as the out-group friends was 7% after competing at games such as tug of war and baseball so the theory has credibility (1) .
Look for other reasonable marking points. | (4) | | Question Number | Answer | Mark | | --- | --- | --- | | 2(a) | AO2 (2 marks)
Up to two marks for description of one way personality could account for the scenario.
For example:
• The girl i

FAQs

What are the key principles in the general marking guidance?

Examiners must treat all candidates consistently, apply mark schemes positively, and mark according to the mark scheme rather than expectations about grade boundaries. All marks should be used appropriately, with full marks awarded when deserved and zero marks if responses do not meet the scheme.

How should examiners handle cases where judgement is needed?

Mark schemes provide principles for how marks are awarded, and exemplification may be limited. If examiners are in doubt about applying the mark scheme, the team leader must be consulted.

What marking criteria are used across the questions?

The scheme awards marks using assessment objectives AO1, AO2, and AO3 depending on the question. For example, definition and identification points use AO1, scenario description uses AO2, and justification uses AO3.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Jiven