Pearson Edexcel · International A Level · XPS11/YPS11
Psychology — Keywords & Key Terms — Definitions Glossary (2026)
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Psychology
Topic-by-topic keywords, key terms and definitions for precise exam language—separate from our revision checklists (topic coverage) and formula sheets (equations).
Keywords & Key Terms — definitions
Examiner-style keywords and definitions organised by syllabus topic. Terms are tagged Essential (start here), Core (typical exam standard), and Advanced for harder distinctions — tick each row when you can recall it. Your progress is saved in this browser for this list.
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Psychology (XPS11/YPS11)
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Psychology (XPS11/YPS11)
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Psychology
Pearson International A Level Psychology (XPS11/YPS11) covers research methods, core approaches (social, cognitive, biological, learning), applied options (clinical plus one of criminological/health/sport/child), and mathematical/evaluation skills aligned to the 2026 specification.
Mark schemes: Pearson IAL examiners reward linked reasoning — chain studies to approaches, and approaches to applications — with correct statistical notation, units, and named test justifications rather than label-spotting.
Active recall: 0 / 20 terms ticked
| Recalled | Topic | Level | Keyword | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research methods | Core | Independent / dependent / control variable | What you manipulate, measure, and hold constant in an experiment. | |
| Research methods | Core | Ecological validity | Extent to which findings generalise beyond the research setting to real life. | |
| Research methods | Core | BPS code of ethics | British Psychological Society guidelines on consent, deception, debrief, and right to withdraw. | |
| Research methods | Core | Mann-Whitney / Wilcoxon | Non-parametric tests of difference: Mann-Whitney for independent groups, Wilcoxon for repeated measures, both with ordinal data. | |
| Research methods | Core | Spearman's rank / chi-squared / sign test | Spearman's rank for ordinal correlation, chi-squared for nominal association, sign test for nominal repeated-measures difference. | |
| Approaches | Core | Social approach | Milgram's obedience studies and Sherif's Robbers Cave on intergroup conflict — situational influences on behaviour. | |
| Approaches | Core | Cognitive approach | Atkinson & Shiffrin multi-store model, Baddeley & Hitch working memory, Loftus & Palmer eyewitness testimony, and schema theory of organised knowledge. | |
| Approaches | Core | Biological approach | Neurons and synaptic transmission plus the fight-or-flight response mediated by adrenaline and the sympathetic nervous system. | |
| Approaches | Core | Learning approach | Pavlov's classical conditioning, Skinner's operant conditioning with reinforcement, and Bandura's social learning theory from the Bobo doll study. | |
| Approaches | Advanced | Comparing approaches | Reductionism, determinism, and nature-nurture positions used to evaluate each approach synoptically. | |
| Applications | Core | DSM / ICD | Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and International Classification of Diseases — competing classification systems for mental disorders. | |
| Applications | Core | Schizophrenia | Explanations including dopamine hypothesis and genetic vulnerability, with treatments such as antipsychotics and CBTp. | |
| Applications | Core | Depression — CBT | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy challenges Beck's negative triad through cognitive restructuring and behavioural activation. | |
| Applications | Core | Obsessive-compulsive disorder | Genetic and neural explanations alongside SSRIs and exposure with response prevention. | |
| Applications | Advanced | Second application option | Criminological, health, sport, or child psychology — apply approaches to a real-world domain with named studies. | |
| Mathematical & evaluation skills | Core | Measures of central tendency | Mean, median, and mode — choice depends on level of measurement and skew. | |
| Mathematical & evaluation skills | Core | Measures of dispersion | Standard deviation for interval data and interquartile range for skewed or ordinal data. | |
| Mathematical & evaluation skills | Core | Normal distribution | Symmetric bell curve where mean = median = mode and approximately 68% of data lies within one SD. | |
| Mathematical & evaluation skills | Core | Reliability and validity | Reliability is consistency (test-retest, inter-rater); validity is whether the measure captures the intended construct. | |
| Mathematical & evaluation skills | Advanced | Hawthorne effect & demand characteristics | Participants alter behaviour because they know they are being observed or guess the study's aim. |
Pair this with our revision checklists, formula sheets hub and past paper finder.
Psychology (XPS11/YPS11) — Keywords & Key Terms FAQ
- What is on this Pearson Edexcel A Level Psychology keywords and key terms list?
- It is a topic-organised glossary of important psychology terms with short, exam-style definitions aligned to Pearson Edexcel International A Level Psychology (XPS11/YPS11). It is designed for “define”, “state”, “outline” and “explain” questions where precise vocabulary earns marks.
- How should I use this Psychology glossary alongside past papers?
- Tick terms when you can recall them without reading the answer, then check your wording against mark schemes. Pair vocabulary practice with past papers for A Level Psychology (XPS11/YPS11) so you apply terms in context.
- Is this the same as a revision checklist or a formula sheet?
- No. Revision checklists help you track which syllabus topics you have covered and your confidence—separate pages on Tutopiya. Formula sheets summarise equations and quantitative relationships. This page is only a definitions and key-terms glossary for Psychology.
- Can I download this Psychology keywords and key terms list for free?
- Yes. After a quick free sign-up you can download a UTF-8 CSV (opens in Excel or Google Sheets) or open a print-friendly page and save as PDF. Browsing the list on the page is free.
- Is this Psychology list aligned to the XPS11/YPS11 specification?
- Topic groupings and wording follow Pearson Edexcel International A Level Psychology for Pearson Edexcel A Level. Always confirm final learning objectives and any regional options in your official specification and recent examiner reports for your exam session.
- Why focus on definitions instead of full notes?
- Mark schemes reward correct technical terms and clear links between ideas. A compact glossary lets you drill the exact language examiners expect for Psychology at A Level, separate from longer notes or topic trackers.