AQA GCSE Psychology: MOTIVATION AS A FACTOR AFFECTING PERCEPTION [Perception Topic]

This fully editable lesson on Motivation as a Factor Affecting Perception introduces students to how motivational states influence perception, particularly through hunger and food-related stimuli. Aligned with the AQA GCSE Psychology Specification, this resource explores how perceptual set can be altered by deprivation, focusing on Gilchrist and Nesberg’s (1952) study. The lesson highlights key strengths and limitations, including the study’s controlled methodology and ethical concerns regarding participant discomfort.

• Comprehensive Lesson Slides: The slides outline how motivation impacts perceptual processes, such as how hunger increases sensitivity to food images. Gilchrist and Nesberg’s (1952) study is presented step-by-step, covering its aim, procedure, findings, and conclusions. Students are guided to evaluate the study using the GRAVE framework (Generalisability, Reliability, Application, Validity, and Ethical issues) and are prompted to assess whether the study’s results generalise to real-world contexts.

• Interactive Activities: Students engage in Think-Pair-Share discussions, application tasks, and group activities to analyse and evaluate the study. Tasks include evaluating the research method, designing alternative experiments, and summarising the findings to consolidate understanding. Worksheets scaffold responses for 9-mark essay-style questions, with AO1 (knowledge) and AO3 (evaluation) breakdowns to guide students through exam practice.

• Evaluation and Assessment: Structured worksheets encourage students to assess strengths, such as controlled conditions and reliability, alongside weaknesses, like low ecological validity and ethical concerns. Ethical debates focus on whether food deprivation, even with informed consent, might cause undue discomfort. Model answers and scaffolding for essay-style exam questions allow students to develop critical evaluation skills