Question 19M.3.HL.TZ1.4b
| Date | May 2019 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 2] | Reference code | 19M.3.HL.TZ1.4b |
| Level | HL | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ1 |
| Command term | Outline | Question number | b | Adapted from | N/A |
To investigate the effects of the drug MDMA (ecstasy) on impulsive behaviour, investigators carried out a test on former users, current users and those who had never taken the drug. Impulsive behaviours were defined by the researchers as those done quickly, without fully considering the consequences. The participants in the study were asked which of the images (1 to 6) was identical to the original image on the left.
The time and accuracy of their responses were recorded. The results are based on 15 participants per group.
[Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]
Outline the evidence that MDMA leads to impulsive behaviour.
[2]
a. MDMA «former» users made quicker responses AND made more errors than those who never used drugs ✔
b. quick responses with errors suggest impulsive behaviour ✔
c. possible impulsive behaviour was reason for taking drug rather than a consequence
OR
drug users could always have shown impulsive behaviour
OR
study shows correlation, not causation ✔
While many students did achieve at least 1 mark here, few connected the data with impulsive behavior. In addition, this question showed that students still need guidance on how to make sure their writing is clear. Many lost a mark because they were unable to express that they were looking at number of errors and time taken to give an answer.
