What does the Edexcel biological psychology content cover?

Biological psychology covers the structure and function of the brain and neurons, synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin, the role of hormones and the endocrine system, genes and evolution, and the named biological studies, including a contemporary study such as Raine on the brains of murderers.

What learning theories do I need for Edexcel Psychology?

You need classical conditioning (Pavlov), operant conditioning (Skinner, including positive and negative reinforcement and punishment) and social learning theory (Bandura, including the mediational processes and the Bobo doll study), plus applications such as systematic desensitisation and token economies.

How does Edexcel explain aggression?

Aggression is explained biologically through the amygdala and limbic system, low serotonin, testosterone, the MAOA gene and evolution, and through learning by social learning theory. The accepted view is interactionist: a biological predisposition shaped by the environment, supported by studies such as Raine's PET-scan research.

What is the difference between negative reinforcement and punishment?

Negative reinforcement increases a behaviour by removing something unpleasant (such as taking a drug to stop withdrawal). Punishment decreases a behaviour by adding something unpleasant or removing a reward. Students often confuse the two because both involve something unpleasant.

How is this content assessed?

Biological psychology and learning theories are assessed on Paper 1 (Foundations in Psychology). Expect short-answer, application and extended questions requiring you to describe, apply and evaluate explanations and studies, and to take an interactionist view of behaviour such as aggression.

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Edexcel A-Level Psychology: Biological psychology and learning theories

A complete Edexcel A-Level Psychology guide to biological psychology and learning theories: brain, neurons, neurotransmitters, hormones and genes, classical and operant conditioning, social learning theory, and the biological and learning explanations of aggression.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.814 min read9PS0Updated 2026-06-02

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

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What this content demands
Biological psychology
Learning theories and aggression
Check your knowledge

What this content demands

Biological psychology and learning theories complete the Foundations content. Biological psychology explains behaviour through the brain, neurotransmitters, hormones and genes; learning theories explain it through association, consequences and observation. Together they frame the nature-nurture debate and the explanation of aggression, examined on Paper 1.

This guide covers each dot point in order, then the exam patterns, with matching dot-point pages for practice.

Biological psychology

Biological psychology describes localisation of function, neurons and synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin), hormones such as testosterone and cortisol, genes (studied through twin and adoption research) and evolution. Brain function is studied with CT, PET and fMRI scans and case studies, with a contemporary study such as Raine's PET research on murderers.

Learning theories and aggression

Learning theories are classical conditioning (Pavlov), operant conditioning (Skinner, with reinforcement and punishment) and social learning theory (Bandura, with the four mediational processes and the Bobo doll study). These underpin treatments such as systematic desensitisation and token economies. Aggression is then explained by an interaction of biological factors (amygdala, serotonin, testosterone, the MAOA gene, evolution) and learning.

Check your knowledge

Describe the process of synaptic transmission. (4 marks)
Outline the four mediational processes in social learning theory. (4 marks)
Explain the role of the amygdala and serotonin in aggression. (4 marks)
Distinguish between negative reinforcement and punishment. (2 marks)

Sources & how we know this

Pearson Edexcel A-Level Psychology (9PS0) specification — Pearson Edexcel (2015)