Discuss one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process.

Refer to the paper 1 section B assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “discuss” requires candidates to offer a considered review of one theory demonstrating the influence of emotion on one cognitive process.

Responses may focus on any cognitive process that is affected by emotion, such as attention, perception, memory or decision-making.

Examples of theories include, but are not limited to:
• Brown and Kulik’s flashbulb memory theory
• Bower’s theory of state-dependent cues
• DaMasio’s Somatic Marker Hypothesis

Discussion of the selected theory includes, but is not limited to:
• degree of empirical support
• methodological considerations
• cultural and gender considerations
• contrary findings or explanations
• validity of the concepts
• application and/or usefulness of the empirical findings.

If a candidate discusses more than one theory, credit should be given only to the first discussion, unless the other theory or theories are clearly used to evaluate the main theory; for example, used to illustrate the strengths and/or limitations of the main theory.