IB Psychology

Welcome to IB Psychology 2022-2023.

NOTE: Unit lesson plans for IB Psychology will be posted on Google Classroom.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to IB Psychology. I am looking forward to a challenging, exciting and successful year. As seniors, your student will be facing many 'lasts' and many 'firsts' as they prepare to graduate and begin the next chapter of their lives!!! Research shows that the single best predictor of a student’s academic success is the involvement of their parent(s) or guardian(s). I am asking you and your student to commit to a system of active communication with each other and myself throughout the year.

I have developed several tools to help facilitate communication. I will be using Google Classroom and Remind 101 to provide you and your student with information as needed. If you would like to stay abreast of what we are doing in class, join Google Classroom for your student's course. Just email me for the necessary class code. Your student can show you how to join if you need assistance.

In addition, a link to the class syllabus is on my home page. The syllabus contains the course outline, grading scale, rules and policies, important dates and so on. I ask that you carefully read this information and discuss it with your student. I will also place a copy of the agenda/schedule for each unit on Google Classroom. The unit agenda will provide you with detailed information regarding the standard being taught, material being covered in the unit, a daily schedule and assignments with due dates as well as scheduled quizzes and tests.

Another excellent way for you as a parent/guardian to remain involved and informed is through your student’s class folder on their Chromebook. Students are expected to maintain a comprehensive, well-organized folder for this class and it will provide a window not only into what we are discussing in class but how well your student is keeping up with and mastering the material!

I am available after school by appointment or via email for any questions you or your student may have, to allow students to make up missed assignments, seek additional help and so on. If you should need to get in touch with me for any reason, you may call 355-8776 or, preferably, email me at mfford@greenville.k12.sc.us or mfford@greenvilleschools.us. I look forward to a great year and thank you in advance for your efforts in making it a success.

Sincerely,

Mary F. Ford, NBCT

Differences between IB Psychology SL and HL

IB Curriculum SL:

1. Three perspectives: (Paper 1 – 2 hours – 50% of exam score)

- Biological

- Cognitive

- Socio-cultural

2. Optional Area: (Paper 2: choose 1 – 1 hour – 25% of exam score)

- Dysfunctional behavior*

- Developmental*

- Health psychology

- Psychology of human relationships

*Note: provides the most benefit for both the AP and IB programs

3. Research methodology: (internal assessment – 25% of exam score)

- Quantitative research methods (descriptive only)

- Ethics

- Simple experimental study

IB Curriculum HL:

1. Three perspectives: (Paper 1 – 2 hours – 40% of exam score)

- Biological

- Cognitive

- Socio-cultural

2. Optional Area: (Paper 2: choose 2 – 2 hours – 20% of exam score)

- Dysfunctional behavior*

- Developmental*

- Health psychology

- Psychology of human relationships

*Note: provides the most benefit for both the AP and IB programs

3. Research methodology:

- Quantitative research methods (internal assessment – 20% of IB exam score)

- Simple experimental study

- Quantitative research methods (Paper 3 – 20% of exam score)

- Identify the strengths, weaknesses and ethical considerations inherent in qualitative research methodology

Key Differences:

Paper 1: Perspectives – Both will answer the same number of questions in the same time allotment, scored using same rubric, however, HL has HL extensions in each subject area that may be tested by the exam.

Paper 2: Specialty Research Areas: SL chooses one area and answers one question of choice from 3 given in their area; HL chooses two areas and answers one question of choice from 3 given in EACH of their TWO areas (answer two questions total with 2 hours given v. SL one question with one hour given)

Paper 3: HL ONLY – 3 compulsory questions re qualitative statistics

Internal Assessment: HL Same for both - students will replicate a preexisting study with the option to modify it. They must also do background research, apply descriptive and inferential statistics to their data and write up their study in a formal report.