Discuss cognitive neuroscience.
Updated: Oct 7
Question 10 Mark Scheme
Discuss cognitive neuroscience.
In your answer, explain how cognitive and biological explanations are linked and evaluate the contribution of cognitive neuroscience to psychology.
[16 marks]
What is expected in the answer?
The command word “discuss” requires students to explain what cognitive neuroscience is and then evaluate its contribution to psychology. The second sentence makes the focus particularly clear, students should show how cognitive explanations of internal mental processes are linked with biological explanations involving the brain and nervous system.
A strong 16-mark answer should therefore explain how researchers investigate the neural basis of cognition, for example by using brain-imaging techniques to identify biological activity associated with memory, emotion or psychological disorders. Evaluation should then consider scientific objectivity, evidence from research, applications to treatment and early intervention, nature and nurture, determinism, ethics and limitations of inferring cognition from brain activity.
In the current specification, cognitive neuroscience is included within the biological approach, alongside genetics, biological structures and neurochemistry. Your course plan appropriately treats it as a separate lesson focusing on its contribution, the link between cognitive and biological explanations, and evaluation.
Marks for this question: AO1 = 6, AO3 = 10
The June 2023 examination included the directly related question “Outline and briefly discuss cognitive neuroscience” [8 marks], with an allocation of AO1 = 3 and AO3 = 5.
For this expanded 16-mark version, the corresponding allocation is therefore:
AO1 = 6 and AO3 = 10.
Level | Marks | Description |
4 | 13–16 | Knowledge of cognitive neuroscience is accurate and generally well detailed. The link between cognitive and biological explanations is clearly explained. Discussion of its contribution to psychology is thorough and effective. The answer is clear, coherent and focused, with effective use of specialist terminology. |
3 | 9–12 | Knowledge of cognitive neuroscience is evident but there may be occasional inaccuracies or omissions. The cognitive-biological link is evident. Discussion is mostly effective, although some points may lack development or focus. |
2 | 5–8 | Limited knowledge of cognitive neuroscience is present. The link between cognition and biology may be only partly explained. Focus is mainly descriptive and discussion is of limited effectiveness. |
1 | 1–4 | Knowledge of cognitive neuroscience is very limited or muddled. The response may describe brain-scanning techniques, the cognitive approach or biological psychology without clearly explaining cognitive neuroscience. Discussion is limited or absent. |
0 | 0 | No relevant content. |
Indicative content
AO1: What is cognitive neuroscience?
Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the neurobiological basis of cognitive processes.
The June 2023 mark scheme defines its aim as exploring the neurobiological basis of thought processes and disorders.
It therefore attempts to understand how processes such as:
memory
attention
perception
language
decision-making
emotion
are related to activity and structures within the brain.
A useful summary is:
cognitive process + biological mechanism = cognitive neuroscience
For example:
memory process → associated pattern of brain activity
or:
experience of guilt → activity within a particular neural network
Linking the cognitive and biological approaches
The cognitive approach investigates internal mental processes.
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