AO2 in Action: Using Ginny & Georgia to Nail Application Skills
If you’re aiming for top marks in AQA Psychology, you’ll need to master AO2 — application. It’s not enough to just know the theory (AO1), or evaluate it (AO3). AO2 asks:
Can you use that theory to explain real-life situations?
Luckily, AO2 doesn’t have to be boring. Let’s make it memorable by applying psychology to Ginny & Georgia.
What’s AO2 Again?
AO2 = Application of Knowledge. These marks reward your ability to take what you’ve learned and use it to explain behaviour in a given scenario. In the exam, it’s often a short description of a character or situation, and you have to apply psychological concepts to it.
It’s not just about naming a theory — it’s about showing how that theory explains the example in the question.
AO2 Example Question: Ginny & Georgia Edition
Here’s a 6-mark style question you might see:
At her new school, Ginny feels pressure to impress her peers. One afternoon, her friends dare her to steal from a shop. Ginny doesn’t want to, but she gives in and does it anyway. Later, she says she felt she had no choice. Use your knowledge of social influence to explain Ginny’s behaviour. (6 marks)
How to Answer It
This question is rich with opportunity for AO2 — particularly around types of conformity and social pressure.
Here’s an example of a strong response:
Ginny’s behaviour can be explained by compliance, a type of conformity where someone changes their behaviour in public to fit in with a group, even if they don’t agree privately.
In this case, Ginny steals from the shop not because she wants to, but because her friends pressure her into it.
This suggests normative social influence is at play — she conforms in order to be accepted and avoid rejection by the group. Her later comment that she “had no choice” suggests she felt strong peer pressure, making it hard to resist.
What Makes This a Good AO2 Answer?
It directly uses details from the scenario (e.g. peer pressure, not wanting to do it).
It clearly applies the correct theory (compliance, normative social influence).
It focuses entirely on application, not just a generic explanation of conformity.
Final Thoughts
AO2 is about showing that psychology works — that it explains how real people behave in real (or fictional) situations. Using examples from shows like Ginny & Georgia helps make it stick.
At Tutor Savvy, we help A Level Psychology students get confident with AO2 through guided practice, relatable examples, and expert feedback. Because once you understand how to apply your knowledge, the marks follow naturally.
📚 Want to practise more AO2 scenarios? Join one of our AQA Psychology tutorials and get exam-ready with support that actually makes sense.