Click here to explore thousands of examiner marked IA, EE and TOK exemplars!
Exploring the IB Psychology syllabus provides a clear view of the skills and knowledge you'll acquire throughout the course. Join us as we unpack the key concepts of the syllabus, giving you a better understanding of what to expect on your learning journey.
IB Psychology Syllabus + Topics
Concepts, Content and Contexts
Both SL and HL students will explore biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches to understanding human behaviour through several key contexts:
Health and Well-being
In this context, students will explore the following areas:
Mental health disorders – One or more disorders such as major depressive disorder, eating disorders, or anxiety disorders.
Health problems – Understanding issues like obesity, drug misuse, or social media addiction.
Prevention and treatment – The effectiveness of biological and psychological treatments for disorders and prevention strategies for health problems.
Human Development
In this context, students will explore the following areas:
Models of development – Cognitive, social, moral, or language development, including the role of brain maturation and sociocultural factors.
Development of self – The role of attachment, peer influence, and childhood experiences.
Human Relationships
In this context, students will explore the following areas:
Group behaviour – Concepts such as conformity, social identity theory, and cultural dimensions.
Interpersonal relationships – Cognitive and biological explanations for relationships, communication, and strategies for improvement.
Learning and Cognition
In this context, students will explore the following areas:
Thinking and learning – Schema theory, the dual processing model, and social learning theory.
Cognitive processes – Investigation of attention, memory, perception, or language, including biological and cultural influences.
HL Extensions
HL students must also investigate the following topics in relation to the four contexts above:
The role of culture in shaping human behaviour – Students investigate how local and global cultures shape human behaviour, including the impact of globalization on mental health and identity across various populations
The role of motivation in shaping human behaviour – Students examine the conscious and unconscious impetus behind behaviour, differentiating between primary physiological needs and secondary social goals while exploring theories like self-determination.
The role of technology in shaping human behaviour – Students analyze the significant influence of digital tools, such as artificial intelligence and social media, on human behaviour, mental health, and interpersonal relationships.
Data analysis and interpretation – Students develop the critical skills necessary to analyze, interpret, and draw reasoned conclusions from both quantitative and qualitative research findings to support conceptual understanding.
We hope you found this post helpful in learning more about the IB Psychology syllabus. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of IA, EE and TOK exemplars available at Clastify and other guides available on our blog.
The Fast Track To Your
Best IB Coursework & College Essays
All content on this website has been developed independently from and is not endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. International Baccalaureate and IB are registered trademarks owned by the International Baccalaureate Organization.