Lesson 8.4.1

8.4.1 Key question: smoking cessation and government intervention Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Psychology, Unit 8

20 questions

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Lesson 8.4.1, Key question: smoking cessation and government intervention: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Psychology (9PS0), Unit 8: Health psychology, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. In the key question on smoking cessation and government intervention, what is the central tension being debated?

    • Reliability versus validity in questionnaires
    • Biological explanations versus learning explanations of addiction
    • Animal research versus human research
    • Government intervention in health behaviour versus individual freedom of choice

  2. Which psychological explanation of smoking suggests that cues, such as the smell of tobacco or a bar, can trigger the urge to smoke?

    • Classical conditioning
    • Monotropic attachment
    • Privation
    • Deprivation

  3. A nicotine replacement product provides nicotine without smoke. Which biological factor does this treatment address?

    • Peer influence on smoking
    • Social norms about smoking
    • Withdrawal and physical dependence on nicotine
    • Parental attachment

  4. Which government intervention would target the cost of smoking to discourage young people from starting?

    • Banning the use of cigarette packets in schools
    • Subsidising cigarette manufacturers
    • Providing free nicotine gum in shopping centres
    • Raising the tax on tobacco products

  5. Plain packaging of tobacco products is a government policy aimed at reducing smoking. Which psychological principle does it draw on?

    • Creating classical conditioning through shock
    • Reducing the attractiveness and brand cues that may encourage smoking
    • Removing all need for informed consent
    • Increasing the reinforcement of smoking

  6. A government bans smoking in all enclosed public places. Which argument supports this intervention on health grounds?

    • It makes smoking more socially rewarding
    • It protects non-smokers from second-hand smoke, which is harmful to health
    • It increases the number of smokers who can be treated
    • It removes the need for any health warnings

  7. Which argument against government intervention in smoking is most consistent with the freedom of choice perspective?

    • Governments should always ban every product that is harmful
    • Adults have the right to make decisions about their own health, even when those decisions carry risks
    • Smoking has no health risks
    • Individuals cannot make any decisions about their behaviour

  8. A researcher argues that government health campaigns against smoking have limited effect on young people. Which psychological explanation supports this argument?

    • Campaigns only work through classical conditioning in adults
    • Peer influence and social norms can outweigh health messages for adolescents
    • Health messages always cause immediate cessation
    • Adolescents are biologically unable to understand messages

  9. Which evaluation point about using a policy such as a tax increase to reduce smoking is most valid?

    • It proves that smoking is entirely caused by price
    • It always has no effect on any group
    • It may reduce smoking among some groups, but it may also be regressive, affecting lower-income smokers more heavily
    • It can only be measured with animal studies

  10. Which statement best describes an evaluation of a government smoking cessation programme that relies on self-reported abstinence?

    • Self-report may be affected by social desirability, so biochemical verification of abstinence strengthens the evaluation
    • Self-report proves that the programme worked without any checking
    • Self-report cannot be used in any psychological research
    • Self-report is always more accurate than biochemical tests

  11. A government uses a 'nudge' to encourage healthier choices, such as placing healthy food at eye level. Which argument best defends this approach against criticism about freedom of choice?

    • It ensures that people never smoke again
    • It removes all choice from the individual
    • It requires the use of electric shocks
    • It preserves choice, because people remain free to choose any option while the healthy option is made easier

  12. Which ethical concern is most relevant when a government intervention targets groups who are more likely to smoke, such as lower-income communities?

    • Whether the policy unfairly burdens those groups and increases health inequalities
    • Whether the policy uses animals in its testing
    • Whether the policy includes a questionnaire
    • Whether the policy uses a double-blind procedure

  13. A researcher compares smoking rates before and after a national ban on advertising, using the same regions. Which type of design is this?

    • A quasi-experimental or natural experiment design
    • A content analysis of adverts only
    • A case study of one region
    • A matched pairs design with random allocation of regions

  14. Why might a psychologist argue that a single policy is unlikely to reduce smoking on its own?

    • Because policies cannot be implemented in any country
    • Because smoking is entirely determined by genes
    • Because all smokers are unaffected by policy changes
    • Because smoking is maintained by biological, learning and social factors that a single policy may not address

  15. Which combination of interventions best reflects a biopsychosocial approach to smoking cessation?

    • Only a campaign showing shocking images
    • Nicotine replacement, behavioural support and policies that reduce smoking cues in public life
    • Only a ban on smoking with no treatment
    • Only aversion therapy with no other support

  16. A government argues that restricting smoking in cars protects children. Which psychological concept supports the argument about children?

    • Children are biologically unable to be harmed by smoke
    • Children have limited ability to avoid exposure to smoke in confined spaces and are vulnerable to its health effects
    • Children always choose to avoid smoke
    • Children are unaffected by second-hand smoke at all times

  17. Which statement about the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions is most accurate?

    • Behavioural support has no effect on cessation
    • No intervention has any measurable effect on smoking
    • Pharmacological support always works better than all other approaches
    • Combining pharmacological support with behavioural support is often more effective than either alone

  18. Which argument is the strongest case for government intervention in smoking, on the basis of harm to others?

    • Smoking is always a private activity with no effect on others
    • Smoking only harms the smoker and no one else
    • Smoking can cause harm to non-smokers through second-hand exposure, which individual choice alone cannot prevent
    • Government has no right to protect people from any harm

  19. A researcher says that understanding the biological basis of nicotine addiction could help governments design better policies. Which reasoning best supports this claim?

    • Knowing biology means that policy is unnecessary
    • Biology shows that nicotine addiction cannot be treated
    • Biology has no relevance to policy design
    • Knowing how nicotine acts on the brain can inform treatments and help judge when people need support rather than punishment

  20. A smoking cessation campaign uses a message stating that 'quitting is achievable with the right support'. Which psychological principle does this emphasise?

    • Self-efficacy, the belief that one can successfully perform the behaviour needed to quit
    • Aversion through shocks
    • Monotropic bonding with a counsellor
    • Negative reinforcement from withdrawal

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