A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What area of psychology is primarily associated with the work of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan?

1. Developmental psychology

2. Clinical psychology

3. Biological psychology

4. Social psychology

The correct answer is: Biological psychology

The work of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan is primarily associated with biological psychology, particularly in understanding the neurological processes that underlie decision-making and risk-taking behaviors. This area of psychology focuses on the connections between biological processes and psychological phenomena, often examining how brain structure and function influence behavior. Barkley-Levenson and Galvan's research emphasizes the role of brain systems—like the prefrontal cortex and the limbic system—in adolescent behavior and how these systems develop over time. Their investigations often utilize neuroimaging techniques to explore how various brain regions interact during tasks that involve reward processing and risk assessment, illustrating the biological basis of psychological functions. Developmental, clinical, and social psychology, while relevant to aspects of human behavior, do not primarily focus on the biological underpinnings of these behaviors in the way that the research of Barkley-Levenson and Galvan does. Developmental psychology would focus more on changes throughout the lifespan, clinical psychology would be concerned with diagnosing and treating mental disorders, and social psychology would examine how individuals interact within group contexts. Each of these areas takes a different perspective that does not align as closely with the specific insights provided by biological psychology in this context.