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Understanding IB Psychology command terms is essential for achieving success in the course, as they dictate how you should approach and structure your exam responses. In this blog post, we will delve into these command terms, offering explanations and examples to help you effectively tackle IB Psychology questions and excel in your studies.
IB Psychology Command Terms
Define – Give the precise meaning of a word, phrase, concept or physical quantity. For instance, if you were asked to define "classical conditioning", you would explain it as: ''Classical conditioning is a learning process where a neutral stimulus (e.g., a ringing sound) is repeatedly paired with a stimulus that naturally triggers a response (e.g., food), eventually causing the neutral stimulus to elicit a similar automatic response on its own.''.
Describe – Give a detailed account. For example, if you were asked to describe the effects of cognitive dissonance on attitudes and beliefs, you would mention how cognitive dissonance may cause a person to change their behaviour to align with their belief, try to enforce change on their belief, or lead to attitude polarisation.
Outline – Give an account or summary. For instance, if you were asked to outline the social cognitive theory, you would mention that it emphasizes learning through observation and imitation, highlighting concepts such as reciprocal determinism and self-efficacy.
State – Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation. For example, if you were asked to state the neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation, you would simply answer "serotonin" without providing any further explanation.
Analyse – Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. For example, if you were asked to analyze the influence of cognitive dissonance on decision-making, you would break down the concept by explaining how conflicting beliefs or attitudes create discomfort, leading individuals to change their attitudes or behaviors to reduce this dissonance. You would then examine key studies, such as Festinger and Carlsmith, to support your analysis.
Apply – Use an idea, equation, principle, theory or law in relation to a given problem or issue. For instance, if you were asked to apply the theory of localization of brain function to explain the effects of brain damage on behavior, you would describe how damage to specific areas, such as Broca's area, could lead to difficulties in speech production. You could reference case studies like that of Phineas Gage to illustrate how damage to the frontal lobe affected his personality and behavior.
Distinguish – Make clear the differences between two or more concepts or items. For example, if you were asked to distinguish between classical conditioning and operant conditioning, you would explain that classical conditioning involves learning through association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response, while operant conditioning involves learning through the consequences of behavior, where reinforcement or punishment increases or decreases the likelihood of a behavior being repeated.
Explain – Give a detailed account including reasons or causes. For example, if you were asked to explain the biological explanation of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), you would describe how genetic factors and neurotransmitter imbalances, such as low serotonin levels, contribute to the disorder. You might reference studies like McGuffin et al. (1996) that indicate a genetic predisposition, and discuss how disruptions in neurotransmitter systems and stress response mechanisms play a role in the development of MDD.
Compare – Give an account of the similarities between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout. For instance, if you were asked to compare cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy for treating anxiety disorders, you would describe that both approaches aim to alleviate anxiety symptoms and improve overall functioning. Both CBT and pharmacotherapy have been shown to be effective in clinical studies, and they are often used as part of comprehensive treatment plans. Additionally, both methods can help reduce the intensity and frequency of anxiety symptoms, ultimately enhancing patients' quality of life.
Contrast – Give an account of the differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout. For example, when contrasting cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders, you would note that CBT focuses on changing thought patterns and behaviors through therapy sessions, while pharmacotherapy uses medication to adjust brain chemistry. CBT aims for long-term skills development and requires regular sessions, whereas pharmacotherapy offers quicker symptom relief but involves managing potential side effects.
Compare and contrast – Give an account of similarities and differences between two (or more) items or situations, referring to both (all) of them throughout. For this type of question. For this type of question, you would discuss both the similarities and differences between the two (or more) items or situations.
Discuss – Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence. For example, if asked to discuss ethical considerations related to research studies, you would discuss protection of participants from harm, consent, withdrawal, confidentiality, deception, and debriefing, referring to relevant case studies to support your discussion.
Evaluate – Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations. For instance, when evaluating the use of fMRI in studying brain function, you would weigh its strengths, like providing detailed images of brain activity, against its limitations, such as high cost and limited temporal resolution. You would support your evaluation with relevant case studies.
Examine – Consider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue. For example, if you were asked to examine the role of environmental factors in shaping human behavior, you would explore the underlying assumptions, such as the impact of socio-economic status or cultural influences, and analyze how these factors interact with biological predispositions. You would uncover how different theories, like those of nurture versus nature, relate to and influence each other.
To what extent – Consider the merits or otherwise of an argument or concept. Opinions and conclusions should be presented clearly and supported with appropriate evidence and sound argument. For example, if you were asked to evaluate the extent to which social learning theory explains aggressive behavior, you would assess the theory’s strengths and limitations, as well as other factors that may explain aggressive behavior. You would support your evaluation with relevant studies and evidence, to then formulate a final answer that assesses the extent to which social learning theory explains aggressive behaviour.
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