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EnglandPsychology

Topic 1: Development

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does the brain develop before birth and in early childhood?

Early brain development: the development of the brain in the womb and in early years, including the structures that develop, and the influence of nature and nurture on development.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Psychology Topic 1, covering how the brain develops in the womb and early childhood, the key structures, and how nature and nurture shape development.
9 min answer →

How do mindset and ideas about learning affect how children develop and achieve?

Dweck's mindset theory (fixed and growth mindset, the role of praise) and Willingham's learning theory (the limits of learning styles, the importance of meaning and self-regulation).
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Psychology Topic 1, covering Carol Dweck's mindset theory (fixed versus growth mindset and praise) and Daniel Willingham's learning theory (learning styles, meaning and self-regulation).
10 min answer →

How do psychologists explain the development of morality, and how does the nature-nurture debate apply?

Morality in development (Piaget's stages of moral development and Kohlberg's idea of moral reasoning) and the nature-nurture debate applied to development.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Psychology Topic 1, covering the development of morality (Piaget's and Kohlberg's accounts of moral reasoning) and how the nature-nurture debate applies to development.
9 min answer →

What did Piaget and Inhelder's three mountains study show about egocentrism?

Core study: Piaget and Inhelder (1956), the three mountains task, including its aim, method, results, conclusion and evaluation.
A focused answer to the Edexcel GCSE Psychology Topic 1 core study, Piaget and Inhelder (1956): the aim, method, results, conclusion and evaluation of the three mountains task on egocentrism.
10 min answer →

How does children's thinking develop according to Piaget?

Piaget's theory of cognitive development: schemas, assimilation and accommodation, and the four stages of development with their key features.
A focused answer to Edexcel GCSE Psychology Topic 1, covering Piaget's theory of cognitive development: schemas, assimilation and accommodation, and the four stages with their key features.
10 min answer →