Psychology
A Rough Guide To The Syllabus (by maybenotoday#3106)
IB Psychology, like many other humanities subjects, can be roughly broken down into 3 major components, each of which is examined in one exam paper. As you may have guessed, this means that there's a total of 3 exam papers that students may need to take for Psychology. At its core, psychology is a behavioural science, and in designing the IB Psychology curriculum, IB has ensured that this principle is reflected in the content which students have to learn and how they are examined on it. The core tenet of IB Psychology revolves around the effect on various factors on cognition and behaviour, and exam questions tend to ask students about this.
Paper 1
Paper 1 examines what is commonly referred to as the core content, which all students will have to study. There's three different approaches to psychology that fall under the "umbrella" of core content. There's the biological approach, the sociocultural approach, and the cognitive approach. Within each approach, there are multiple subtopics, which serve to categorise the content which students have to learn. HL students are required to learn one HL extension in each approach.
The biological approach examines the biological aspect of psychology. Students learn about the effect of these biological factors, such as brain structure and neurotransmission, on all sorts of behaviours, such as learning, memory, and stress, to name a few.
The cognitive approach examines the cognitive aspect of psychology. Students learn about how cognitive processing affects various behaviours, such as decision-making, and how various factors can influence cognition, such as emotion.
The sociocultural approach examines the sociocultural aspect of psychology. Students learn about how various sociocultural factors, such as culture and social groups, influence a variety of behaviours, such as conformity and aggression.
The Paper 1 exam tends to make up most of a student's grade. It consists of a total of 6 questions. 3 are worth 9 marks each, and are commonly referred to as SAQs, or short answer questions. The other 3 are worth 22 marks each, and are commonly referred to as ERQs, or extended response questions. Each question will ask about one subtopic from each approach, such that there are 2 questions- one worth 9 marks, and the other worth 22 marks- which examine students on content they have been taught as part of a certain approach. If a student takes HL, at least one of the ERQs will ask about content covered as part of the HL extension of a certain approach. Students will have to answer all 3 SAQs, but are allowed to choose which ERQ they want to answer.
Paper 2
All students will have to study at least one option. There are four option topics available: abnormal psychology, human relationships, developmental psychology, and health psychology. Each option examines the topic from a biological, sociocultural, and cognitive perspective. HL students study two options, whereas SL students study one option. Each option is broken down into 3 subtopics.
The Paper 2 exam is the second exam, and consists of 12 questions, all of which are ERQs. There are 3 ERQs given for each topic, each examining content covered in a different subtopic. SL students pick one question to answer from the option they've studied, whereas HL students pick two questions, one from each of the options they have studied.
Paper 3
Paper 3 is taken by HL students only, and examines students' ability to analyse research. HL students are required to learn about research methods used in psychology, both quantitative and qualitative. In this exam, students are presented with an excerpt of a passage from a piece of research they likely will have never seen before, and are asked 3 questions about it. These questions are almost always the same.
Question 1 is comprised of 3 separate sub-questions of sorts, each worth 3 marks. Students will always be asked these three questions.
Identify the method used and outline two characteristics of the method.
Describe the sampling method used in the study.
Suggest an alternative or additional research method giving one reason for your choice.
Question 2 is worth 6 marks. Students will be asked one of the following questions.
Describe the ethical considerations that were applied in the study and explain if further ethical considerations could be applied.
Describe the ethical considerations in reporting the results and explain ethical considerations that could be taken into account when applying the findings of the study.
Question 3 is worth 9 marks. Students will be asked one of the following questions.
Discuss the possibility of generalizing the findings of the study.
Discuss how a researcher could ensure that the results of the study are credible.
Discuss how the researcher in the study could avoid bias.
Internal Assessment (IA)
This is a mandatory part of the course, to be completed by all students. A Psychology IA is a replication of a study which a student has encountered previously in the course, and consists of a written report outlining how they have conducted the aforementioned study. The IA has a marking criteria separate to that of the exams, and specifics regarding marking, execution, and writing of an IA are usually taught in class.
Notes & Study Guides
from rolla#2995, mythic_fci#1141, mango#7926, ualyelhsa#5014, yeeticus#4630, maybenotoday#3106, TotoroCat#6539, yusra#6578, bendarexxx#4630, DIce#1751, Botfinder#1111, Trash Can#1021, eden#6028
Note: many of these are hosted on Google Docs. Please make sure you can see the document outline and preferably use desktop, as it makes navigating documents easier!
Covers:
Self Studying Psych Exams 101
Quick IB Psych Rundown
Studying for Psych Exams
Other Resources
Covers:
Research Methods + Ethics
Biological Approach (SL + HL)
Cognitive Approach (SL + HL)
Sociocultural Approach (SL + HL)
Option: Human Relationships
Subtopics: Personal Relationships + Group Dynamics
Option: Abnormal Psychology
Subtopics: Etiology of Abnormal Psychology + Treatment of Disorders
Covers:
Study sheet!
What to expect from the exams; exam tips
Sociocultural Approach (SL + HL)
Cognitive Approach (SL + HL)
Biological Approach (SL + HL)
Option: Abnormal Psychology
Subtopic: Etiology of Abnormal Psychology
Option: Human Relationships
Subtopic: Social Responsibility
Research Methods + Ethics
Covers:
Biological Approach (SL)
Cognitive Approach (SL + HL)
Sociocultural Approach (SL)
Option: Abnormal Psychology
Subtopic: Factors Influencing Diagnosis
Option: Human Relationships
Subtopic: Personal Relationships
Research Methods + Ethics
Covers:
Option: Abnormal Psychology
Subtopic: Etiology of Abnormal Psychology
Option: Human Relationships
Subtopic: Social Responsibility
Research Methods + Ethics
Covers:
Paper 1 concepts (HL + SL) and accompanying studies, in 2 separate documents
Paper 1 revision notes
Paper 2 revision notes [incomplete]
Research Methods + Ethics
Sociocultural Approach (SL + HL)
Cognitive Approach (SL + HL)
Biological Approach (SL + HL)
Option: Abnormal Psychology
Option: Human Relationships [incomplete]
Psychology IA on the Stroop effect [15/22]
Miscellaneous, assorted documents - includes way too much shit that I haven't had the time to organise study guides made in preparation for exams, study lists, note templates, study guides made with classmates to revise, sample ERQ and SAQ plans, exam rubrics etc [incomplete and kind of scuffed, I collected and did so much stuff and only got a 6 kek]
Covers:
Cat's study sheet + study list!
Biological Approach (SL + HL)
Cognitive Approach (SL)
Sociocultural Approach (SL)
Option: Abnormal Psychology
Subtopic: Etiologies (MDD)
Option: Health Psychology
Subtopic: Health Problems (Obesity)
Research Methods + Ethics (Paper 3)
Covers:
Research Methods + Ethics (Paper 3)
Covers:
Option: Abnormal Psychology
Subtopic: Etiology of Abnormal Psychology (MDD)
Option: Human Relationships
Subtopic: Social Responsibility
Research Methods + Ethics (Paper 3)
Covers:
Biological Approach (SL)
Cognitive Approach (SL)
Sociocultural Approach (SL)
Covers:
Incomplete, brief 'master plan' with links to studies (some of these links are not visible)
Biological Approach (SL)
Cognitive Approach (SL)
Sociocultural Approach (SL)
Covers:
Biological Approach (SL)
Cognitive Approach (SL)
Sociocultural Approach (SL)
Option: Human Relationships
Subtopic: Communication
Research Methods + Ethics
Covers:
Research Methods + Ethics (Paper 3)
Covers:
Biological Approach (SL + HL)
Cognitive Approach (SL + HL)
Sociocultural Approach (SL + HL)
Option: Abnormal Psychology
Possible exam questions
Revision Session Notes
All Revision Sessions related resources can be found in the Revision Session Website.
Covers:
Biological Approach
Sociocultural Approach
Cognitive Approach
Research Methods
IA Guidance
From InThinking Psychology
Small note from IB Psychology Forum (by MidGravity#9445)
"... word 'header' refers to the cover page, so no need to put all the info at top of each page, what guide says to put on header should be put on cover page..."
TL;DR → The IB Psychology subject guide incorrectly states that information such as the title and candidate number should be stated in the header, when this information should actually be stated on the cover page.
Exemplar Coursework
These include IA samples and examiner comments.
IA on Loftus & Palmer (1974) by Trash Can#1021
Psychology Extended Essay, by sophistry#6845
"To what extent does playing violent video games contribute to aggressive behaviour in adolescent boys?" - scored an A.
Exemplar Exam Responses
This in an ongoing compilation of SAQs, ERQs, and Paper 3 responses. It is currently incomplete, but will be periodically updated (see Update Log section to track what's new).
If you'd like to submit your exemplar, please Direct Message rolla#2995 or monroe#0201 on Discord! Any contributions will be appreciated <3
These include exam answers and examiner comments for papers 1, 2, and 3 for SL & HL.
Studying and Exam Technique
Covers:
External assessment updates that apply to exams from May 2020 onwards
Includes additional terms for SAQs in paper 1, clarifications on question formulation in papers 1 and 2
Some of these updates may minorly affect the accuracy of study guides made by May 2019 students, so make sure to check the guide!
Covers:
Potential Questions on ERQs and SAQs on all Approaches
SAQs + ERQs → how they are structured
Covers:
Papers 1, 2, and 3 → how they are structured and how you should approach them
SAQs + ERQs → how they are structured and how you should answer them
Learning Outcomes for
Biological + Cognitive + Sociocultural Approach
Options: Abnormal Psychology + Human Relationships
Covers:
Blank study template for all parts of the syllabus for the user to fill in
Covers:
Past questions from papers 1 and 2 (Human Relationships & Abnormal Psychology) for 2019 and previous years
Covers:
"How do I know what studies to use?"
"How do I know if I have enough information for each unit?"
"What's the best way to study for psychology?"
In response to the question "Discuss prevalence rates of one disorder". However, this can be used for other ERQs as well.
In response to the question "Contrast two models of memory". However, this can be used for other ERQs as well.
Tips on ERQ structure (by Alexey Popov)
So when looking at how to structure psych essays, I make a difference between the "study-based approach" (which I think is most likely to get you to level 5 or 6) and the "argument-based approach" (which I think can get you to level 7).
Here's the video on the study-based approach and argument-based approach
I don't know if it will be useful, but I found the distinction helpful in explaining how to go from level 6 to level 7 in psych
Covers:
Questions to check your SAQ/ERQ structure
SAQ criteria points
ERQ criteria points
Covers:
Possible paper 1 questions and tips on how to answer them and the command terms
Covers:
Guiding questions for different research methods + generalizability
Quizlet cards (by yusra#6578)
Covers:
Acronyms For Evaluation
Please note that these are just some of the acronyms for evaluation which are out there! You don't have to use any of these; just use whatever you're most comfortable with or what you've been taught. - maybenotoday#3106
Some of the underlined acronyms has explanations - click on them!
General
PEEL (by TotoroCat#6539)
P - Point
E - Evidence
E - Explanation/Evaluation
L - Link
Studies
MAGEC (by DrWang99#9265)
M - Methodological flaws
A - Alternative arguments
G - Gender
E - Ethical considerations
C - Cultural differences
MATBEARS (by TotoroCat#6539)
M - Methodology
A - Areas of uncertainty
T - Triangulation
B - Bias
E - Ethics
A - Applications
R - Reductionism
S - Sample
GEMS (by TotoroCat#6539)
G - Gender
E - Ethics
M - Method
S - Sample
Theories
TEACUP (by nina#2118)
T - Testability
E - Empirical evidence (empirical support, with evidence)
A - Application
C - Construct validity
U - Unbiased
P - Predictability (or predictive validity)
TMADCUB (by maybenotoday#3106)
T - Triangulation
M - Methodology
A - Assumptions
D - Design
C - Counterarguments/theories/evidence
U - Uncertainties
B - Biases