Psychology

Psychology is the scientific study of human and animal cognition and behaviour, aiming to describe, explain, predict, and change behaviour in ways that enhance individual and collective well-being. The discipline draws on both the natural and human sciences, combining empirical investigation with an appreciation for meaning-making, context, and diversity in human experience.

In the IB Diploma Programme, psychology is studied not simply as preparation for a career in the field but as a means of developing psychological literacy, the ability to think critically, act ethically, and apply psychological principles to real-world problems in personal, social, and cultural contexts. This includes understanding key concepts and theories, interpreting research evidence, and reflecting on the evolving nature of knowledge and human understanding.

Students explore how behaviour is shaped by the dynamic interaction of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural factors, applying these perspectives within authentic contexts of health and well-being, learning and cognition, human relationships, and human development. Through conceptual inquiry and class practicals, students examine the underlying concepts of bias, causality, change, measurement, perspective, and responsibility, developing both analytical precision and ethical awareness.

Psychology at UWCSEA fosters curiosity, intercultural understanding, and respect for human diversity. By engaging with multiple perspectives, including Indigenous and cross-cultural psychologies, students are encouraged to develop empathy and an appreciation for the complexity of human thought and behaviour, in alignment with the IB Learner Profile and the College's mission.

Course content

Both Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL) students study the same core concepts, content areas, and contexts of psychology. HL students extend their learning through additional contexts, more advanced research analysis, and greater conceptual integration across topics.

All teaching and learning in IB Psychology is framed by six key concepts that provide a foundation for critical and conceptual thinking:

Bias – understanding how assumptions, perspectives, and cultural contexts influence the interpretation of behaviour
Causality – examining how psychological research explores cause-and-effect relationships
Change – analysing processes of adaptation, learning, and development over time
Measurement – evaluating how abstract constructs such as emotion or cognition are operationalized and studied
Perspective – comparing different approaches and worldviews in explaining behaviour
Responsibility – reflecting on ethical practice and the social impact of psychological research

Students develop understanding across three interrelated approaches that explain human cognition and behaviour:

Biological – genetics, neurotransmission, brain structures and functions, and neuroplasticity
Cognitive – thinking, memory, decision making, and models of cognition
Sociocultural – social identity, group dynamics, culture, and the influence of social norms

These content areas are not taught as isolated units but are integrated through the lens of the six core concepts and applied to real-world contexts.

Students apply psychological knowledge to authentic, meaningful contexts that connect theory to practice:

Health and Well-being – understanding mental and physical health holistically
Learning and Cognition – examining how we acquire and use knowledge
Human Relationships – exploring cooperation, conflict, communication, and attraction
Human Development – investigating how biological, cognitive, and sociocultural factors interact across the lifespan.

Course outline (SL)

Grade 11

Core: Foundational
Core: Cognitive approach to understanding behaviour
Core: Socio-cultural approach to understanding behaviour

Grade 12

Core: Biological approach to understanding behaviour
Option: Psychology of Human relationships

Course outline (HL)

Grade 11

Core: Foundational
Core: Cognitive approach to understanding behaviour
Core: Socio-cultural approach to understanding behaviour
Approaches to researching behaviour

Grade 12

Core: Biological approach to understanding behaviour
Option: Psychology of Human relationships
Option: Abnormal Psychology
Approaches to researching behaviour

Skills developed

through diverse methods of psychological inquiry, students will understand how biological, cognitive, social and cultural factors influence human behaviour
they will interpret psychological research and apply the resulting knowledge for the benefit of human beings in the applications of psychology in everyday life
asking questions, challenging assumptions and critically assessing the methods used by researchers are integral skills in the study of Psychology
underpinning all the approaches to teaching and learning in this course is a focus on the development of critical thinking.
the internal assessment requires the development of social, communication and self-management skills through collaboration and teamwork
students will also demonstrate the acquisition of skills required for experimental design, data collection and presentation, data analysis and the evaluation of a simple experiment while demonstrating ethical practice

Assessment

SL external assessment – 75%

paper 1 (2 hours) – 50%
- - section A: three compulsory questions on part 1 of the syllabus
  - section B: three questions on part 1 of the syllabus; students choose one question to answer in essay form (49 marks)
paper 2 (1 hour) – 25%
- - fifteen questions on part 2 of the syllabus; students choose one question to answer in essay form (22 marks)

SL internal assessment – 25%

a report of a simple experimental study conducted by the student (22 marks)

HL external assessment – 80%

paper 1 (2 hours) – 40%
- - section A: three compulsory questions on part 1 of the syllabus
  - section B: three questions on part 1 of the syllabus; students choose one question to answer in essay form (49 marks)
paper 2 (2 hour) – 20%
- - fifteen questions on part 2 of the syllabus; students choose two questions to answer in essay form (44 marks)
paper 3 (1 hour) – 20%
- - three compulsory questions based on an unseen text, covering part 3 of the syllabus (24 marks)

HL internal assessment – 20%

a report of a simple experimental study conducted by the student (22 marks)

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