Psychology

Have you got your psychology IA deadline approaching soon and are unsure what to choose as your topic? Do not worry, this post is here to help you through that process! In this text, we will provide you with numerous psychology IA ideas with examples to help you start the writing process. Our goal is to guide you in meeting the IB criteria and ensure you stay on track during the entire IA writing process. Whether you are interested in developmental, clinical, cognitive, or any other aspect of psychology, the suggestions below are sure to have something that fits your interests!&nbsp;<h4>&nbsp;</h4>&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">Psychology IA Ideas</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<ol><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64ad733ce3b31a00131a0473" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Judgements of quality:</a> In this topic, you can explore how a person's perception of the quality of a painting changes according to the amount of time they are told that the artist has spent on the painting.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64b38f9a3770b400128544c2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Investigating reconstructive memory:</a> Looking at this topic, you could investigate how schemas influence the reconstruction of memories by using verbs of different intensities.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64a6f745701b5600139b42bd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Exploring schema theory:</a> Through this topic, you could look at the number of words or phrases that a person can remember after listening to an audio, depending on whether or not the person is provided with a picture related to the audio before they listen to it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64ce4eae83f83c00122d3af0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Note-taking methods:</a> Within this exploration, you could analyze whether there is a significant difference in academic performance and lecture material retention between students who take notes by hand and students who take notes using electronic devices such as laptops.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64bbda3f50e28d00131698d9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Eyewitness memories:</a> Looking at this topic, you could explore how the emotional intensity behind a word used during the question process of eyewitnesses affects the memories that the eyewitnesses can recollect.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64a833f2701b5600139b5183" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Effort heuristic and quality:</a> In this analysis, you can look at how the difference between low-effort and high-effort heuristics can affect a person's judgement of the quality and likability of a poem.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64a774c4701b5600139b4f65" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Type of font used:</a> Through this topic, you could look at how the type of font used to create a multiple-choice quiz affects the number of correct responses on the quiz.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64ad3f61e3b31a00131a03a0" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Leading words and memory:</a> Looking at this topic, you could analyze how the leading words present in a question affect how fast a person believes a car was going.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64b52a0f3770b4001285981f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Investigating the Recency Effect:</a> In this analysis, you could explore how the presence or absence of a filler task given to students can affect the number of words they can correctly recall from the end of a list.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64ec8dfed5797df95a2c52ea" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Anchoring bias:</a> Within this topic, you could look at how the order in which numbers in a sum are presented (ascending or descending) could affect the answer provided by the participant.&nbsp;</li></ol>&nbsp;<pre><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL</code></pre>&nbsp;<ol start="11"><li><a href="/ia/psychology/62d5743eefe3ca0013f9a7d1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Feature Detection Theory:</a> In this experiment, you could investigate whether target letters are identified faster in angular or round letter lists, as both lettering types have different features.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/62e923f90f9915001387ae57" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Effect of contextualization:</a> Looking at this topic, you could analyze whether the inclusion of a title before a passage affects the accurate recall of information from the passage.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/62d864747ded760014fe70f4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Investigating Interference Theory: </a>Within this topic, you could explore how the time taken to name a colour depends on whether the participant is presented with a square of the colour itself or a word spelling out a colour but has a different font colour (for example the word is 'green' but is in blue font).&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/6393b1d95573ed0013c51869" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spoken word length: </a>In this exploration, you could investigate how using long-duration or short-duration words affects the number of words that a participant can correctly identify from a list.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/639ff7892f68260013875683" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Short-term memory capacity:</a> Through this topic, you could explore how the number of syllables in a word affects the number of sequences that are correctly identified by participants of the study.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/63be85acd20b8d001326284a" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The effect of font colour on performance:</a> Looking at this topic, you could analyze how changing the font colour used affects the number of anagrams that participants can solve within a certain period of time.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/63e50750e1386a0014007fa9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Investigating the Halo Effect:</a> In this topic, you could look at how participants form perceptions about a person when shown a video of the person speaking in a friendly versus cold demeanour.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/638671665573ed0013c3fc4b" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Investigating the Facial Feedback Theory:</a> Within this topic, you could analyze whether putting on a happy or sad face can make participants produce that particular emotion.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/5f96f0f3c4a457699b146245" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Perception of physical appearance:</a> Within this study, you could look at how a participant rates another person's physical appearance based on the exhibited attitude and behaviour of the person.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/5ffc601fe3625ef390b73134" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Social facilitation: </a>In this experiment, you could investigate whether social facilitation through the presence or absence of other participants could influence the time taken for a participant to complete a puzzle.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/60ed6c24c86af60012ff9c2c" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Impaired memory encoding with distraction:</a> Looking at this topic, you could explore how the type of music played during the encoding phase affects the number of words that participants can recall from different lists.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64ae6600e3b31a00131a0685" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pictures versus words:</a> Through this study, you could explore how giving participants a list of pictures versus a list of words affects the number of pictures or words recalled to see whether it is easier to memorize words or pictures.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64bc3ccc50e28d0013169a1e" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Depth of processing:</a> In this topic, you could investigate how using different levels of word processing measured by different presentations of the word can affect the number of words that the participant can recall.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/63d9a53e159d440014c8e760" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Schema and memory recall:</a> Looking at this topic, you could analyze how the occurrence of schematically or non-schematically related words could affect the incidence of false recall.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/6138b935c114900013b65ddf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Effects of interference:</a> Through this analysis, you could explore the effects of interference on the interpretation of congruent and incongruent stimuli, as measured by the time taken to read a black ink versus a coloured ink sheet.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/6289080d5005bb0013d0cba4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Effects of divorce:</a> Within this exploration, you could investigate the extent to which major depressive disorder in children can be caused by the divorce of parents in different cultures.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/628a27395005bb0013d0ccbc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dual coding:</a> Looking at this topic, you could explore how the method used to remember the word (such as imagery, rehearsal or no method) could affect the number of words recalled by the participant.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/6130d386fd3f920013178d88" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Stroop test:</a> In this topic, you could look at how the presence of conflicting word stimuli in the Stroop test affects the time taken by participants to complete the test.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/6184ef9ca296080013457d26" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Effects of social categorization:</a> Through this analysis, you could investigate whether the division of participants into different groups will affect in-group favouritism and out-group discrimination.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ia/psychology/64c67246d9afef0013e5106e" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dual-system theory:</a> In this topic, you could look at whether the font used in a cognitive reflection test (fluent or disfluent) can affect the number of correct answers that the participant obtains.</li></ol>&nbsp;&nbsp;For more IA ideas and a deeper insight into how to structure your IAs, head to the <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify</a> website where you will be able to find numerous <a href="/ia/psychology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">psychology</a> IA topics as well as exemplar IAs that you can refer to during your writing process!

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog (32).png

Header Banner for Blog (32).png

A comprehensive list of 30 psychology IA topic ideas along with explanations and examples. See what can be done and use this as inspiration for your own internal assessment topic. 

Psychology IA Topic Ideas + Examples 

Have you got your Psychology IA topic selected but are unsure how to begin the writing process? Do not worry, as Clastify is here to help guide you step-by-step on how to write your IA. In this post, we will give you key points on what to include in each section of your IA, based on our experience with IB. Although we recommend this structure based on our successful history of helping students receive top-rated IAs, feel free to personalize the guide below in a way that suits you!&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">Psychology IA Format and Structure</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Title page:</h3><ol><li>Include a brief statement of what is being investigated. This should be in the form of "An investigation into...", or "An exploration of.....", or "An experiment investigating the......"</li><li>Include your candidate number, group candidate numbers, word count, date of submission, and whether you are in HL or SL.</li><li>A good example can be found <a href="/ia/psychology/64a774c4701b5600139b4f65" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</li></ol><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Table of contents:</h3><ol><li>This should include section for Introduction, Exploration, Analysis, Evaluation, References, and Appendix.&nbsp;</li><li>Make sure each section has its corresponding page number.&nbsp;</li><li>A good example can be found <a href="/ia/psychology/64a833f2701b5600139b5183" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</li></ol><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Introduction:</h3><ol><li>Include a description of the main theory or model used in the experiment (schemas, dual processing model, etc.).</li><li>Explain why this theory/model is appropriate for the investigation that you are carrying out - what makes it suitable to be used?&nbsp;</li><li>Clearly state the aim for your research and explain its relevance.&nbsp;</li><li>State the null hypothesis and the research hypothesis.&nbsp;</li><li>A good example can be found <a href="/ia/psychology/64a774c4701b5600139b4f65" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</li></ol><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Exploration:</h3><ol><li>State and explain the sampling technique and research design used to collect data for the experiment (eg: independent or repeated sampling design, opportunity sample, etc).</li><li>Explain why you have chosen to use the respective sampling technique and research design. What makes them most suitable to use for your study? Why is the chosen design/technique better than other designs/techniques?</li><li>Explain how you selected the participants of the study. What makes them suitable to analyze your research question?&nbsp;</li><li>State all the control variables of the experiment. Mention how and why they were controlled. How would they have affected the results if these variables had not been controlled?&nbsp;</li><li>Provide a list of all the materials used in the study.</li><li>Show proof that your study was ethical. This include mentioning that the participants completed the informed consent form/debrief. A copy of these forms should then be included in the appendix.&nbsp;</li><li>A good example can be found <a href="/ia/psychology/64a833f2701b5600139b5183" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</li></ol><h3>&nbsp;</h3><pre><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL</code></pre>&nbsp;<h3>Analysis:</h3><ol><li>Include both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics in your analysis.</li><li>Descriptive statistics is used to organize data and can include calculating the mean, median, mode, standard deviation, interquartile range, variance, and range.&nbsp;</li><li>Inferential statistics is used to draw conclusions based on the data obtained from the experiment.&nbsp;</li><li>Include tables and graphs of the data from the experiment. Ensure that all tables and graphs are appropriately numbered and labelled wth a figure caption.&nbsp;</li><li>Below each table/graph provide an explanation of the data they contain. Describe any trends seen in the data and use figures from the tables and graphs when writing the explanation.</li><li>Explain the significance of the data in relation to the hypothesis.</li><li>A good example can be found <a href="/ia/psychology/64ad733ce3b31a00131a0473" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> and <a href="/ia/psychology/64a774c4701b5600139b4f65" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</li></ol><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Evaluation:</h3><ol><li>Discuss the strengths and limitations of the study, such as in the research design, sampling technique and procedure.&nbsp;</li><li>Discuss the findings of the study in relation to the main theory or model used in the experiment, as outlined in the background information section.&nbsp;</li><li>Include some modifications that can be made to the experiment to improve for future, as well as how this would improve the experiment.</li><li>A good example can be found <a href="/ia/psychology/64ad733ce3b31a00131a0473" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</li></ol><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>References:</h3><ol><li>Include a full list of all the references used in the IA.&nbsp;</li><li>Ensure the bibliography is in the same citation style used in the introduction and background information section.&nbsp;</li><li>A good example can be found <a href="/ia/psychology/64a833f2701b5600139b5183" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</li></ol>&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Appendix:</h3><ol><li>Include all extra information necessary for the completion of the experiment.</li><li>This includes consent forms, debriefs, instructions given to participants, any slides or documents presented to participants, quizzes, raw data tables, passages, statistical tests (t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, etc.) and outlier calculations.</li><li>A good example can be found <a href="/ia/psychology/64a6f745701b5600139b42bd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> and <a href="/ia/psychology/64a774c4701b5600139b4f65" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.</li></ol>&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope this guide helps guide you in properly formatting and structuring your Psychology IA! If you want to read some exemplary IAs before you start writing, we've got you covered too! Simply head to the <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify</a> website, where you will be able to find numerous <a href="/ia/psychology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Psychology</a> IA ideas and examples, so you can look for the ones that are the most relevant to your topic. Good luck!&nbsp;&nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog (50).png

Header Banner for Blog (50).png

A comprehensive guide on formatting and structuring an IB Psychology Internal Assessment. Explore different approaches and use this as your roadmap throughout the IA writing process.

Psychology IA Format and Structure

<h2 style="text-align:center;">Psychology IA Criteria and Checklist</h2>&nbsp;You have already chosen your Psychology IA topic and you don't know what to do next? A crucial step is getting to know the assessment criteria. Keep reading to learn our tips on what to include in your essay to write a perfect IA.&nbsp;&nbsp; <meta charset="utf-8">Internal assessment is an integral part of the psychology course, contributing 25% to the final assessment at SL and 20% at HL. The 22 marks are divided between the following criteria:&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;" dir="ltr">Criterion A: Introduction - 6 points&nbsp;</h3>Your internal assessment must have a clearly defined topic that is relevant and linked to the Psychology course. In the introduction, you must describe the scientific context and define the specific terminology. You should distinguish between the dependent and independent variables in your study and state hypotheses that will guide your investigation.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For a maximum of 6 points:&nbsp;<ul><li>The aim of the investigation is stated and its relevance is explained.&nbsp;</li><li>The theory or model upon which the student’s investigation is based is described. The link to the student’s investigation is explained.&nbsp;</li><li>The Independent and Dependent Variables are stated and implemented in the null or research hypotheses.</li></ul> See <a href="/ia/psychology/64a6f745701b5600139b42bd" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this IA</a> for reference.&nbsp;&nbsp; <meta charset="utf-8"><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">Criterion B: Exploration - 4 points&nbsp;</h3>The next section of your Psychology IA should describe your approach to investigating the topic. Present your plan for conducting the research and explain the criteria regarding the choice of sampling technique and the selection of participants. List the controlled variables explain what would be their impact on the study and the method used to control them. Finally, list the required materials alongside the justification of their choice.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;For a maximum of 4 points:&nbsp;<ul><li>The research design is presented and justified.&nbsp;</li><li>The sampling technique and the choice of participants are explained.&nbsp;</li><li>Controlled variables are properly described.&nbsp;</li><li>The choice of materials is stated.</li></ul> Use <a href="/ia/psychology/64ec8dfed5797df95a2c52ea" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this exemplar</a> for inspiration.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<pre style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr"><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL</code></pre> <meta charset="utf-8"><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;" dir="ltr">Criterion C: Analysis - 6 points&nbsp;</h3>After having collected the data apply statistical methods (descriptive and inferential) to analyse the data. Look for trends within the data. Employ forms of graphical representation such as graphs but remember to appropriately present them - they should contain a&nbsp;label, axis titles and use appropriate data. Make sure that you interpret the findings sufficiently to test out the previously stated hypotheses.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;For a maximum of 6 points&nbsp;<ul><li>Descriptive and inferential statistics are appropriately and accurately applied.</li><li>Statistics is free of error.&nbsp;</li><li>The graphs are correctly labeled and address the hypothesis.</li><li>The statistical findings are interpreted with regard to the data and linked to the hypothesis.</li></ul> Check out a <a href="/ia/psychology/64ab238bf66fe20013845928" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">good analysis</a> here.&nbsp;&nbsp; <meta charset="utf-8"><h3 style="line-height:1.38;margin-bottom:0pt;margin-top:0pt;text-align:justify;" dir="ltr">Criterion D: Evaluation - 6 points&nbsp;</h3>In the evaluation, you are expected to state a conclusion referring to your findings and the background theory. You should also state whether your hypotheses turned out to be correct. Next, discuss the strengths and weakness of your approach to the study (sampling, design and procedure) and propose modifications that would improve your investigation. Make sure to justify your evaluations and that they are relevant to your research.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;For a maximum of 6 points:<ul><li>The findings of the student’s investigation are discussed with reference to the theory or model.&nbsp;</li><li>Strengths and limitations of the design, sample and procedure are stated and explained and relevant to the investigation.&nbsp;</li><li>Modifications are explicitly linked to the limitations of the student’s investigation and fully justified.</li></ul> You can refer to <a href="/ia/psychology/643377618fef340014cd8d5d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this example.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp; Now you are ready to move on with your Psychology internal assessment. Remember to include all the above suggestions to increase your chances of receiving a high score. If you would like to find out to what extent your work meets these criteria don't hesitate to upload it for<a href="/review" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Review.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog (77).png

Header Banner for Blog (77).png

A comprehensive guide to Psychology IA criteria along with a checklist. Make use of our suggestions on how to improve your grade. 

Psychology IA Criteria and Checklist

Are you struggling with structuring your Psychology extended essay? Don't worry, Clastify is here to help! Below you'll find linked exemplars for inspiration and tips on how to format and structure your EE. While we recommend this structure based on our successful history of helping students receive top ratings for their essays, feel free to customize the guide below according to your preferences. &nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">Psychology EE format and structure</h2> The extended essay is a 4,000 words investigation that should consist of the following parts:&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;"> Title page and table of contents</h3><ol><li>On the title page, you will include the topic of your investigation, the research question, the subject, and the word count.&nbsp;</li><li>The next page should be the table of contents with all subsections of your essay along with the page numbering.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li></ol><h3 style="text-align:justify;">Introduction&nbsp;</h3><ol><li>Provide a comprehensive introduction to the topic you chose for your extended essay to demonstrate your understanding.</li><li>State the aim and your approach to the investigation.&nbsp;</li><li>Identify the psychological issue and state how it relates to different psychological concepts (human behavior, memory, cognitive processes, etc.)</li><li>If needed, provide definitions associated with the analysed topic - remember to use specific terminology.&nbsp;</li><li>Include in-text citations relevant to the subject of your study. &nbsp;</li></ol>&nbsp;See <a href="/ee/psychology/64ac3dde734562001309a371" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this introduction</a> for inspiration.&nbsp;<h3 style="margin-left:0px;"> Research question&nbsp;</h3><ol><li>State a focused research question, <a href="/ee/psychology/60e575d3b4446500125e5ffe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">such as:</a> To what extent is mental cognitive specific imagery an effective strategy in enhancing skill-specific performance for individual athletes?</li><li>In the research question, you should specify the issue that is subject to your analysis and provide details such as clarifying focus groups (adolescents, athletes, patients with dementia, etc.)</li><li>Keep in mind that primary research is not permitted for Psychology EE! You must choose a topic and formulate a research question that can be examined only through the use of secondary data.&nbsp;</li></ol> &nbsp;<pre><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL </code></pre><h3 style="text-align:justify;"> Methodology&nbsp;</h3><ol><li>You will base your entire extended essay on secondary sources.&nbsp;</li><li>Select secondary sources carefully, ensuring their reliability and relevance in the investigation's context.</li><li>Choose sources that will provide a variety of perspectives on the topic.&nbsp;</li><li>Prioritize the incorporation of sources that effectively support the analysis and interpretation of the data gathered as introducing irrelevant information can lead to a deduction of points.</li><li>Demonstrate a clear understanding of how the selected sources will enhance the investigation's overall validity. Justify your choices.&nbsp;</li></ol> Check out <a href="/ee/psychology/62d57060efe3ca0013f9a7ce" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this choice of sources</a> for reference. &nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Analysis</h3><ol><li>Analysis is the crucial part of your essay in which you will determine the answer to the research question.&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;Maintain a clear structure. Divide the main body into paragraphs for separate arguments and/or sources.&nbsp;</li><li>Your arguments must be backed by an insightful analysis based on the chosen fragments and must be in line with the research question.&nbsp;</li><li>Include the in-text citations to support your findings.&nbsp;</li><li>Form mini-conclusions relating to the focus of your investigation throughout the entire main body.&nbsp;</li><li>Demonstrate critical thinking and awareness of the limitations of your sources - analyse them with regard to their origin, purpose, and content.</li><li>In your extended essay reflect a critical and analytical approach rather than a narrative or descriptive one - apply what you have read to the research question instead of just reporting the information.</li></ol>&nbsp;You can use <a href="/ee/psychology/64f8612ea71635999ca4036b" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this exemplar</a> to get a glimpse of the matter.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Conclusion and evaluation</h3><ol><li>Re-state the aim of the essay to refresh the reader's memory.</li><li>Summarize the depth of analysis conducted on the research topic.</li><li>Provide concise summaries of the findings derived from each source utilized in the analysis.</li><li>Clearly articulate the answer to the research question without introducing new data.</li><li>Briefly revisit the limitations of the data sources utilized in the investigation.</li><li>Acknowledge potential influencing factors on the results, including personal biases.</li><li>Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your extended essay and propose suggestions for improvement and extension of your essay.&nbsp;</li></ol> <a href="/ee/psychology/64a6c748295ecb00139efd2d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This EE </a>is worth taking a look at.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Bibliography</h3><ol><li>This section is not included in the word count.&nbsp;</li><li>In the bibliography, you should make a detailed list of all sources used in your investigation in alphabetical order. Remember to stay consistent and use one style of referencing.&nbsp;</li></ol> You are now one step closer to writing a high-scoring Psychology EE. Make sure to incorporate all the above suggestions in your essay-writing process! For more inspiration head to the <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify</a> website and check out the remaining <a href="/ee/psychology">Psychology exemplars.</a> To increase the chance of receiving a good grade you can also check out our tips regarding the Psychology EE assessment criteria <a href="/blog/psychology-ee-criteria-and-checklist" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">in this post.&nbsp;</a> &nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog (14).png

Header Banner for Blog (14).png

A comprehensive guide on IB Psychology extended essay format and structure. Check the tips for Psychology EE and improve your extended essay

Psychology EE Format and Structure 

Is it finally time to start your Psychology extended essay? In the writing process don't forget about the assessment criteria! Understanding them is crucial to receive a good grade. Check out our guide and improve your EE score.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">Psychology EE Criteria and Checklist&nbsp; &nbsp;</h2>Extended essays are marked for a total of 34 points, taking into account the following aspects:&nbsp; Criterion A: Focus and method - 6 points&nbsp; The main aspects of this criterion are the topic, research question, and methodology. At the beginning of your essay, you should describe the topic of your investigation and provide the context. The research question should be focused and specific. Remember that your EE must be based on secondary sources only. The collection of primary data is not permitted for the psychology investigation. Therefore, when it comes to the psychology essay, choosing appropriate and relevant sources of data is especially important. You are also expected to describe and justify your methodology.&nbsp; For a maximum of 6 points:<ul><li>Clearly state the chosen topic at the beginning of the extended essay.</li><li>Ensure the research question is in question format, precise, and can be fully addressed within the word limit.</li><li>Provide academic context and justification for the research question in the introduction, indicating its relevance in the academic field.</li><li>Explain the approach to the topic, outlining the essay's scope, the psychological theories and studies to be used, and how the focus will be maintained.</li><li>Utilize appropriate psychological journals and books as resources, making explicit references to the research question throughout the essay for higher scoring.</li></ul> <a href="/ee/psychology/64c78474d9afef0013e5369e" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This exemplar</a> is worth checking out.&nbsp; Criterion B: Knowledge and understanding - 6 points&nbsp;This criterion assesses the context and demonstration of the understanding of the topic. Therefore, you must thoroughly describe the scientific background of your investigation. To showcase your knowledge, make references to different concepts and other available studies. Remember to use specific terminology. In your essay take into account different influential factors such as culture or ethics.&nbsp; For a maximum of 6 points:&nbsp;<ul><li>Demonstrate a clear understanding and effective communication of concepts and materials through an appropriate academic style.</li><li>Consistently apply psychological research methods and terminology accurately and confidently.</li><li>Provide considered evaluation of evidence and findings from empirical studies, considering factors such as culture, ethics, gender, and methodology.</li><li>The evaluation informs the interpretation of the research question, contributing to perceptive commentary.</li></ul> You can use <a href="/ee/psychology/64f8612ea71635999ca4036b" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this EE </a>for reference.&nbsp; &nbsp;<pre><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL</code></pre>&nbsp; Criterion C: Critical Thinking - 12 points&nbsp;This criterion includes research, analysis, discussion, and evaluation. The research question should analyse and evaluate different perspectives or approaches to the research question. Ensuring a logical structure in your essay will enhance reader comprehension. Make informed arguments based on psychological theory, the data sources, and their analysis - the guidelines stress the significance of adopting an analytical approach! To receive more points, you should showcase your evaluative skills in the entire essay. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your investigation and propose its potential extensions. Also, show awareness of possible researcher and methodological biases. For a maximum of 12 points:<ul><li>The student appropriately constructs and presents a specific argument in response to the research question.</li><li>Arguments are backed by an insightful analysis or consideration of the research material's merits and limitations.</li><li>The student showcases the ability to extract knowledge from selected sources, analyze it, and employ it to formulate arguments and draw conclusions relevant to the research question.</li><li>Throughout the essay, discussions consistently revolve around ideas or concepts in line with the research question.&nbsp;</li><li>The EE reflects a critical and analytical approach rather than a narrative or descriptive one.</li></ul> <a href="/ee/psychology/62d57060efe3ca0013f9a7ce" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This essay</a> scored well in this category.&nbsp; Criterion D: Presentation - 4 pointsThis aspect emphasizes the structure and layout of your extended essay. Give attention to proper referencing and include a bibliography with all the analysed literature. Maintain a clear structure - divide your EE into sections (such as the introduction, methodology, analysis, and evaluation) and subsections. They should be labeled and contained in the table of contents. &nbsp; For a maximum of 4 points:&nbsp;<ul><li>The essay begins with a title page and a table of contents, adhering to standard formatting conventions.</li><li>The structure of the essay follows the expected conventions for the topic, ensuring clarity and coherence in the presentation of arguments.</li><li>Sections and subsections, if included, have informative headings that contribute to the overall organization of the essay without distracting from the main argument.</li><li>Graphs, figures, or tables are appropriately labeled with numbers and brief descriptions and maintain good graphical quality.</li></ul> See<a href="/ee/psychology/6311007cd7b5030014e0bdde" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> this example.</a>&nbsp; Criterion E: Engagement - 6 points&nbsp;The last criterion analyses the research focus, planning, and process based on submitted reflections written after sessions with your supervisor. Begin with your initial reflections on the extended essay, highlighting the reasoning behind your chosen topic and outlining your intended investigative method. Consider how the writing process has influenced your perspective, elaborating on any adjustments made to your approach as a result. Explore the development of your comprehension of the topic over the course of writing. Conclude with a comprehensive evaluation of your study, assessing its strengths and weaknesses. Reflect on any insights gained during the process, including valuable lessons learned and areas for potential improvement in the future. For a maximum of 6 points:&nbsp;<ul><li>The RPPF form showcases the individual's progress and active involvement in the writing process.</li><li>The student outlines the skills acquired during the extended essay writing journey.</li><li>Challenges faced during the process are described in detail, along with the strategies employed to address them.</li><li>The document reflects the personal significance and relevance of the work undertaken.</li></ul> That's it! You are now one step closer to writing a perfect Psychology extended essay. Remember to include all the above suggestions, the checklist will help you improve your work. If you would like to receive personalized feedback, don't hesitate to use our <a href="/review" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review service.&nbsp;</a>

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog (2).png

Header Banner for Blog (2).png

A comprehensive guide on Psychology extended essay criteria. Check it out and improve your Psychology EE in your IB. 

Psychology EE Criteria and Checklist 

Do you need help starting your Psychology EE? You came to the right place! There are many topics that you can delve into, below you can find a set of 15 extended essay topics with <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify's </a>exemplars.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">Psychology EE ideas &nbsp;</h2><ol><li><a href="/ee/psychology/64a6c748295ecb00139efd2d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The effects of Oxytocin on longevity of romantic relationships:</a> Oxytocin, often referred to as the "love hormone" or "cuddle hormone," influences feelings of happiness, trust, and bonding. Studies have shown associations between oxytocin and positive aspects of relationships, such as trust and fidelity, but also suggest potential negative impacts like envy and anxiety. This EE investigates how maintaining high levels of oxytocin influences positive behaviors that impact the longevity of romantic relationships in adults. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/64a6fddd701b5600139b42ff" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The effect of Major Depressive Disorder on the academic performance of youth: </a>The prevalence of Severe Major Depressive Disorder Episodes among youths in the United States has steadily increased in recent years, affecting over 2.5 million youth in 2022. The disease characterized by persistent sadness and disrupted sleep and appetite patterns, can significantly impact academic performance, as shown by research indicating negative associations between MDD symptoms and achievement. While symptoms of MDD are known to affect academic performance, external factors such as socioeconomic status, delinquency, and substance use also play significant roles in determining educational outcomes, highlighting the complex interaction between mental health and academic achievement. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/64a6f97d701b5600139b42db" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Predicting the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease:<span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(13,13,13);font-family:Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Noto Sans&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;, &quot;Noto Color Emoji&quot;;font-size:16px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:pre-wrap;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;"> </a>Dementia encompasses memory loss and cognitive impairment impacting daily life, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, recent research suggests that certain personality traits, as categorized by the Big Five Model, may serve as predictors of the disease's risk. Longitudinal studies examining the relationship between personality traits and Alzheimer's risk offer valuable insights, potentially paving the way for early detection and intervention strategies, crucial in addressing this growing public health concern<span style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255);color:rgb(13,13,13);font-family:Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, &quot;Noto Sans&quot;, sans-serif, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Arial, &quot;Apple Color Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Emoji&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI Symbol&quot;, &quot;Noto Color Emoji&quot;;font-size:16px;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;display:inline !important;float:none;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:pre-wrap;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/64aa8fc9f66fe20013842bb6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Genetics and homosexuality: </a>Debates surrounding the genetic basis of homosexuality have persisted for decades, as it presents a paradox to evolutionary biologists due to its potential impact on reproductive success. Research suggests that homosexuality may be influenced by polymorphic genes, with evidence primarily drawn from twin studies indicating a combination of genetic and environmental factors at play. However, studying homosexuality presents challenges, including the difficulty in identifying suitable participants and obtaining truthful responses due to social taboos. This essay will focus specifically on male homosexuality to provide a clearer understanding of its genetic components. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/64f8612ea71635999ca4036b" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Treatment for Pediatric Bipolar Disorder patients:</a> While pharmacotherapy can help alleviate symptoms, family-based therapies are also effective in addressing the psychosocial aspects of Pediatric Bipolar Disorder. Such therapies offer promising results in reducing symptoms and improving social and psychological development in PBD patients, emphasizing the need for personalized and comprehensive treatment approaches. This essay explores how could family-based therapies such as CFF-CBT, FFT, and FFT-HR be implemented in the treatment of this disorder. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/62d57060efe3ca0013f9a7ce" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The effect of violent video games on aggression:</a> The rise of violent video game playing among adolescents has sparked research into its connection with increased aggression, especially following high-profile incidents involving video game players. Studies have shown a correlation between exposure to violent video games and aggressive behavior, prompting further investigation into the extent of this relationship to inform preventive measures and raise awareness. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/62ea390b3c0e8b0013cf2371" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Passage of time during the COVID-19 pandemic:</a> During the pandemic in 2020, lockdown measures prompted shifts in individuals' subjective experiences of time, with reports of both times speeding up and slowing down during lockdown. Research conducted in various countries suggested a potential link between age and time perception, but the findings were inconclusive. This study investigated to what extent age was a significant predictor of the subjective feeling of the passage of time during COVID-19. &nbsp;<pre><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL </code></pre> &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/62f2607e02cd83001393809b" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The influence of music on memory:</a> Psychologists have explored the relationship between music and memory within the cognitive approach of psychology, which focuses on mental processes. Memory involves encoding, storing, and retrieving information, and music has been investigated as a factor influencing these processes. Through this study, the student evaluated to what extent music influences the different components of working memory. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/62f3631602cd8300139382e4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The impact of social and emotional impairment on children with ADHD: </a>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impulsivity, difficulty concentrating, and social challenges, significantly impacting the lives of affected children. Despite advancements in treatment approaches targeting symptoms like inattention and hyperactivity, the social development of individuals with ADHD remains an under-researched area. Impaired social and emotional functioning in children with ADHD often leads to peer rejection, family issues, and increased risk of comorbid disorders, highlighting the importance of addressing social and emotional impairments in ADHD treatment. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/6308c407a315bb0013dc895b" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Intervention for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:</a> Trauma and stressor-related disorders, notably Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), significantly impact individuals' daily lives, affecting memory, sleep, and emotions. The global COVID-19 pandemic has likely exacerbated PTSD rates, necessitating effective interventions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) are recognized as effective non-medical interventions for PTSD, although they differ in approach and administration. Evaluating their efficacy is crucial for determining the most suitable intervention for individuals with PTSD, which this essay aims to explore. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/5f9856edc4a457699b146255" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The effect of stress on academic performance: </a>While stress can motivate, it often leads to negative symptoms like sleep deprivation and concentration issues, affecting task performance. Cortisol, a key stress hormone, influences whether stress motivates or impedes individuals. Chronic stress, the most harmful type, can lead to severe health consequences. Research suggests stress significantly affects students' examination performance, raising questions about the reliability of exams in assessing true abilities. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/61e9e66961e0390013943108" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Susceptibility of adolescent immigrants to internalizing behaviors: </a>Adolescents commonly experience loneliness, social anxiety, and depression, with internalizing and externalizing behaviors receiving significant attention from psychologists. Studies show that ethnic minority and immigrant youth in the United States tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety, with research focusing on environmental factors and acculturation. Migration is a key determinant of adolescents' mental health, prompting significant research in the field. This essay aims to investigate the susceptibility of immigrant adolescents to internalizing behaviors through the analysis of peer-reviewed research articles, focusing on those who experienced immigration during adolescence.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/61499bebe7d76100138e3068" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Development of Schizophrenia: </a>Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder characterized by a disruption in the balance between thinking and emotions, leading to impairments in recognizing reality and behaving naturally in social situations. The disorder is highly prevalent, affecting approximately one in every hundred people worldwide. Therefore, it is important to have a correct understanding of the extent to which its development is forged through predisposed genetics or an individual's environmental placement to establish further risk factors for the disorder.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/60e575d3b4446500125e5ffe" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Effectiveness of mental imagery in enhancing sports performance:</a> The power of imagination has long been recognized as a valuable tool for athletes' mental strategies. In sports psychology literature, imagery has garnered increased attention for its potential to enhance performance by improving skills. The research question seeks to explore the effectiveness of cognitive-specific imagery in enhancing skill-specific performance for individual athletes. Imagery involves creating vivid mental representations of movements and experiences, utilizing senses like visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. While early research on imagery included multi-modal approaches, recent studies focus more on the functional equivalence between imagery and actual movement, offering insights into its effectiveness for skill improvement. &nbsp;</li><li><a href="/ee/psychology/63354a59d77add00134d7dac" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The effect of media on the development of Anorexia: </a>While the exact causes of eating disorders remain uncertain, researchers suggest a combination of factors including media exposure and family environment. The pervasive influence of media on body image perception underscores the importance of understanding its role in the development of eating disorders, which have become increasingly prevalent and pose significant risks to individuals' well-being.</li></ol> As you can see, there is a variety of issues that you can investigate in your Psychology extended essay. Our expertise does not end here... we invite you to check out our <a href="/review" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Review service</a> and submit your EE to receive professional feedback on your coursework.&nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog (6).png

Header Banner for Blog (6).png

A list of Psychology extended essay ideas along with examples. Check out for inspiration with your IB coursework.

Psychology EE Topic Ideas + Examples 

Paper 2 is the second examination you'll face in your IB Psychology assessments. In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of IB Psychology Paper 2, ensuring you are familiarised with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">IB Psychology Paper 2</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>At SL Paper 2 accounts for 25% of the student's final subject grade while for HL it accounts for 20% of the student's final grade.&nbsp;</li><li>SL students have 1 hour while HL students receive 2 hours to complete the assessment.&nbsp;</li><li>Paper 2 is based on the option units.</li><li>SL students answer one question from a choice of three on one option.&nbsp;</li><li>HL students answer two questions – one each from a choice of three on two options</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;An option unit question may look the following way:&nbsp;Developmental psychology&nbsp;&nbsp;<ol><li>Discuss the influence of poverty/socioeconomic status on cognitive development. [22]</li></ol>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;2. &nbsp;Discuss research related to attachment. [22]&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;3. &nbsp;To what extent to biological factors influence cognitive development? [22]&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>How to succeed in Psychology Paper 2?</h3>&nbsp;Each of the three questions within an option will be based on a corresponding topic from the option unit (i.e. Question 1 will be based on Topic 1, Question 2 on Topic 2, and Question 3 on Topic 3). For each topic in the option, students can be asked about the approaches (biological, cognitive, sociocultural), research methods, and/or ethical considerations. Hence, we advise students to prepare thoroughly for one topic of the option unit and the approaches, research methods, and ethical considerations for that topic, treating the other topics as backup.&nbsp;&nbsp;Since the questions are worth 22 marks, your essay needs to be detailed and offer thorough evaluation. Ensure you use a wide range of relevant case studies to support your points and provide counterarguments to show a balanced perspective. It is also very important that you understand the command terms, as they determine the type of response that is required. For that, make sure to check out our <a href="/blog/ib-psychology-command-terms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IB Psychology Command Terms guide</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of <a href="/ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA</a>, <a href="/ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EE </a>and <a href="/tok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TOK </a>exemplars available at <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify</a>.&nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog - 2025-01-03T105035.528.png

Header Banner for Blog - 2025-01-03T105035.528.png

A comprehensive guide to IB Psychology Paper 2. Learn about Paper 2 structure, duration, weighing, the questions you may encounter, and how to tackle them. 

IB Psychology Paper 2

Paper 1 is the first examination you'll face in your IB Psychology assessments. In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of IB Psychology Paper 1, ensuring you are familiarised with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">IB Psychology Paper 1</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>At SL Paper 1 accounts for 50% of the student's final subject grade while for HL it accounts for 40% of the student's final grade.&nbsp;</li><li>Both SL and HL students have 2 hours to complete Paper 1.</li><li>Paper 1 is made up of two sections (Section A and Section B).&nbsp;</li><li>Section A is made up of three short answer questions on the core&nbsp;</li><li>Section B is made up of one essay question from a choice of three on the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches. For HL, one, two or three essay questions will be based on HL extensions. Students reference the HL extension in their essay answer.</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;Section A may look the following way:&nbsp;Answer all questions in this section. Marks will be awarded for focused answers demonstrating accurate knowledge and understanding of research.&nbsp;Biological level of analysis&nbsp;<ol><li>Describe one evolutionary explanation of one behaviour. [9]</li></ol>&nbsp;Cognitive level of analysis&nbsp; &nbsp;2.&nbsp; Explain why one particular research method is used at the cognitive level of analysis. [9]&nbsp;Sociocultural level of analysis&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;3. &nbsp;Outline social identity theory with reference to one relevant study. [9]&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>How to succeed in Psychology Paper 2?</h3>&nbsp;To do well in IB Psychology Paper 1 Section A, it’s important to fully understand the command terms and make sure you’re answering exactly what the question is asking. Whether the question asks you to describe, explain, or evaluate, your response should fully meet the requirements of the command term. To familiarise yourself with the requirements of each command term, make sure to check out our<a href="/blog/ib-psychology-command-terms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> IB Psychology Command Terms guide</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;When answering the question, start by clearly defining any key concepts to show you understand the topic right from the beginning. Make sure to back up your points with relevant case studies – aim to have 2-3 studies prepared for each approach (biological, cognitive, and sociocultural). Try to spend around 20 minutes on each SAQ. If you're an HL student, remember that SAQs are based only on the core syllabus – you don’t need to include any HL content.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section B may look the following way&nbsp;Answer one question in this section. Marks will be awarded for demonstration of knowledge and understanding (which requires the use of relevant psychological research), evidence of critical thinking (for example application, analysis, synthesis, evaluation), and organisation of answers.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;4. &nbsp;Discuss the use of one or more techniques used to study the brain behaviour. [22]&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;5. &nbsp;To what extent does technology affect one cognitive process? [22]&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;6. &nbsp;Discuss one or more effects of globalisation on behaviour. [22]&nbsp;&nbsp;For Section B, your essay needs to show greater depth. This means presenting more arguments, supporting them with multiple case studies, and providing a thorough evaluation that includes counterarguments, limitations, and critical analysis. &nbsp;&nbsp;Keep in mind that for Section B, you only need to answer one essay question. Each question focuses on a different approach – biological, cognitive, or sociocultural. Since you’re required to answer just one, it's a good idea to focus your preparation on one approach, while having an understanding of the other two as backups. This strategy can save time and allow you to focus on areas that align with your strengths and interests. The same applies to HL – focus on one approach and its extension, while keeping the others as secondary options.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of <a href="/ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA</a>, <a href="/ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EE </a>and <a href="/tok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TOK </a>exemplars available at <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify</a>.&nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog - 2025-01-03T105818.807.png

Header Banner for Blog - 2025-01-03T105818.807.png

A comprehensive guide to IB Psychology Paper 1. Learn about Paper 1 structure, duration, weighing, the questions you may encounter, and how to tackle them. 

IB Psychology Paper 1

Are you a current IB Psychology student and wondering how to get a perfect IB score? This post is here to provide you with some guidance on how you can achieve your goal of getting a 7. Read on for some of our top tips to help you succeed in IB Psychology.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">How to get a 7 in IB Psychology</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Master the fundamental concepts</h3>&nbsp;IB Psychology requires students to understand and memorize many concepts, such as biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches to psychology, along with research methods and ethics. Students must demonstrate that they can effectively differentiate between each of these using the appropriate theory from psychology. Students must memorise various concepts and be able to apply them in unfamiliar contexts. Students need to link abstract psychological concepts to real-world patterns, which requires a deep understanding of psychological theory.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Understand research methods</h3>&nbsp;Students are required to apply research methods in both exams and the IA. Students should ensure they understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative methods, sampling techniques, and ethical considerations. Students must be able to explain how specific research methods are used in studies and how this can impact the findings. Students should memorize the key studies learned throughout the course and understand the aim, procedure, findings, and evaluation points. Students should know how to explain the relevance of these studies to psychological theories and models.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Prepare for the exams</h3>&nbsp;IB Psychology is highly dependent on memorization as students often have to learn a large number of concepts and studies. Students are required to use critical thinking and recall extensive theory to apply it effectively in exams and assessments. The theory is extensive, so students should be prepared to do a lot of memorization. Paper 1 tests core topics (biological, cognitive, sociocultural), while Paper 2 tests optional topics. Learn at least two options in depth so you have a choice in the exam. For a more detailed guide to <a href="/blog/ib-psychology-paper-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paper 1 </a>and <a href="/blog/ib-psychology-paper-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paper 2</a>, click the links in green.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Learn the IB command terms</h3>&nbsp;Pay attention to words like "distinguish", "contrast", "analyze", "discuss", and "to what extent" in exam questions. Each type of command term has a different meaning and requires you to answer the questions in a certain way. Check out the mark schemes of past papers to understand what examiners are looking for when answering questions that use the different command terms. A full list of IB Psychology command terms can be found <a href="/blog/ib-psychology-command-terms" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Complete past papers</h3>&nbsp;The best way to revise for an exam and get a 7 on it is to do past papers. The exam format is very similar from year to year and questions can often follow the same patterns. Aim to do past papers dating back at least 5 years from the exam session you are planning to sit for. Older papers can also be done, however, you should be mindful that the IB changes their syllabi regularly, so older papers may not be representative of the current testable content. Nevertheless, you can still do older papers as extra practice. To simulate exam conditions, you could even set a timer to see if you can finish the past papers within the time allotted for your actual exam.&nbsp;&nbsp;<pre><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL</code></pre>&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Link theory to real life</h3>&nbsp;You should learn to apply psychological theories and findings to real-life scenarios. Practice explaining how various studies in psychology relate to issues like mental health, decision-making, and social behavior. Learning to analyze real-world scenarios is important as it makes up a large portion of the exam. You will also need to analyze real-world data in your IA when you conduct primary research on participants, so it is good to learn how to link theory to real life early on in the course.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Craft a strong IA</h3>&nbsp;The IA makes up 20% of your final grade in IB Psychology, which is a significant amount. You should start the IA process as early as you can to give yourself enough time to choose an appropriate experiment, conduct research and write a draft. Make sure your results are clear and supported by data, and address ethical concerns wherever applicable. Make sure to follow a logical structure, which includes all the elements described in <a href="/blog/psychology-ia-format-and-structure" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this post</a>. Submit your draft to your teacher for feedback on how to improve. For further guidance, browse through our <a href="/ia/psychology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">collection of Psychology IAs</a> to read detailed comments on what makes a good IA. To ensure your IA is of the highest quality, you can also submit it to Clastify's <a href="/review" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">review service</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Practice essay questions</h3>&nbsp;Practice writing essay-style questions as these are a big part of the examination, with some questions being worth up to 22 marks each. Use the PEEL paragraphs technique (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) to strengthen your analysis. You should time how long you take to answer each question as well as the entire paper. This is because essay writing can often be time-consuming as you need to plan your thoughts and write them cohesively using a good flow within a set timeframe. It is important to practice this skill beforehand to ensure you do not run out of time during the actual exam.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Study consistently</h3>&nbsp;IB Psychology is quite memorization-heavy and requires constant reviewing of the material to ensure you remember the vast content. Ensuring consistent study habits is crucial to achieving a 7. Create a dedicated study schedule and practice IB Psychology at a fixed date and time weekly. Ensure your study space is free from any distractions and allows you to focus thoroughly on the material.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope this post helped you learn more about how to get a 7 in IB Psychology. For more useful materials associated with the IB, check out the wide variety of <a href="/ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA</a>, <a href="/ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EE </a>and <a href="/tok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TOK </a>exemplars available at <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify </a>and other guides available on our <a href="/blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">blog</a>.&nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog (47).png

Header Banner for Blog (47).png

A comprehensive guide to obtaining a 7 in IB Psychology. Explore our top tips on how to achieve a perfect score. 

How to get a 7 in IB Psychology?

If you're about to begin writing your Psychology IA, knowing the word count is crucial for success. In this post, we'll not only provide the overall word count for the IA but also offer detailed guidance on how to allocate words to each section, helping you structure your IA effectively and stay within the limits.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">IB Psychology Word Count</h2>&nbsp;The IB Psychology Internal Assessment is a research-based project where students replicate a psychological study. The IA must not exceed 2,200 words, as examiners are not required to read beyond this limit. Therefore, it's crucial to stay within the word count to ensure all your work is considered.&nbsp;&nbsp;Now that you understand the overall word limit, let’s break down the recommended word count for each section of the Psychology IA. Allocating the right amount of words to each part is key to maintaining a clear, focused, and well-structured report.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Introduction&nbsp;</h3>&nbsp;In the Introduction, students are expected to present the research question, introduce the study, provide relevant background information, and outline the hypotheses. It’s generally recommended to keep this section concise, not exceeding 400 words.&nbsp;See <a href="/ia/psychology/64b52a0f3770b4001285981f" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this exemplar </a>with a well-developed Introduction.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Exploration</h3>&nbsp;In the Exploration section, students outline the overall methodology of the investigation, covering sampling methods, participant selection, materials used, the procedure, and any ethical considerations related to the study. It is recommended to keep this section between 500 and 600 words.&nbsp;See <a href="/ia/psychology/5fea16ff9a039f727a1d1d0a" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this exemplar</a> with a well-developed Exploration section.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Analysis&nbsp;</h3>&nbsp;The Analysis section centers on interpreting and analyzing the data. Here, you'll break down your results and determine whether to accept or reject your hypotheses. It’s recommended to keep this section within 500 to 650 words.&nbsp;See <a href="/ia/psychology/5f96f0f3c4a457699b146245" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this exemplar</a> with a well-developed Analysis section.<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Evaluation&nbsp;</h3>&nbsp;The Evaluation section is where students conclude their findings and reflect on the strengths and limitations of the study. This includes suggesting improvements and considering the overall impact of the research. It's recommended to keep this section between 400 to 500 words.&nbsp;See <a href="/ia/psychology/5f96f0f3c4a457699b146245" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this exemplar</a> with a well-developed Evaluation section.&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of <a href="/ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA</a>, <a href="/ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EE </a>and <a href="/tok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TOK </a>exemplars available at <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify </a>and other guides available on our <a href="/blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">blog</a>.&nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog - 2024-09-24T154707.819.png

Header Banner for Blog - 2024-09-24T154707.819.png

A comprehensive guide to the IB Psychology IA word count. Learn about the overall word limit for the Internal Assessment and the recommended word count for each section.

IB Psychology IA Word Count

Optional topics play a pivotal role in the IB Psychology syllabus, as the examination on these topics contributes significantly to your final grade. Choosing the right topics is essential to achieving your best results. In this post, we’ll explore all seven options to help you make an informed decision.&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">IB Psychology Options</h2>&nbsp;The IB Psychology syllabus offers 4 option topics:&nbsp;<ul><li>Option 1: Abnormal psychology&nbsp;</li><li>Option 2: Developmental psychology&nbsp;</li><li>Option 3: Health psychology&nbsp;</li><li>Option 4: Psychology of human relationships&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;SL students must pick one option while HL students study two options.&nbsp;As already mentioned, selecting the right optional topics is essential, as they have a major impact on your overall grade. Paper 2, which focuses exclusively on these optional topics, accounts for 25% of the final grade at SL and 20% at HL.&nbsp;&nbsp;The best way to choose the right options is to simply choose the options that you find most interesting. It will be much easier for you to study them and perform well if you find the information genuinely interesting. Below is a break-down of each theme and what it covers to help you decide:&nbsp;<h3>Option 1: Abnormal psychology&nbsp;</h3>&nbsp;This option focuses on fostering the understanding and ability to diagnose &nbsp;and treat mental health conditions. In this topic, students explore the causes of abnormal behavior, and how disorders are treated. Students will learn how biological, cognitive, and sociocultural factors shape mental health, and consider ethical issues involved in studying this subject. The option also examines how ideas of "normal" and "abnormal" vary over time and across cultures, which impacts diagnosis and treatment. Disorders covered include anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma-related disorders, and eating disorders. This option is ideal for those interested in mental health or those considering careers in psychology, psychiatry, or mental health advocacy.&nbsp;In this topic, you will cover the following topics:<ul><li>factors influencing diagnosis&nbsp;</li><li>etiology of abnormal psychology&nbsp;</li><li>treatment of disorders</li></ul><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Option 2: Developmental psychology&nbsp;</h3>&nbsp;This option focuses on how and why people’s behavior and thinking evolve over time. It covers the influences on cognitive and social development, how individuals form their identity, and how people develop as learners. You’ll explore how different factors shape development and examine how experiences in early life can impact later outcomes. You will also investigate why some people are more affected by their experiences than others. This topic is highly suitable for those <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);display:inline !important;float:none;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:0px;">who want to better understand how early experiences shape who we become.&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);display:inline !important;float:none;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:0px;">In this topic, you will cover the following topics:<ul><li>infleunes on cognitive and social development&nbsp;</li><li>developing an identity</li><li>developing as a learner</li></ul><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Option 3: Health psychology&nbsp;</h3>&nbsp;This option looks at how our choices and habits affect our health and why people sometimes make unhealthy decisions even when they know the risks. You'll explore what influences health, learn about common health challenges, and discover ways to encourage healthier lifestyles. It covers how our biology, thoughts, and social environment work together to shape our health, while also considering the sensitive and ethical issues involved. You will explore the psychology behind stress, addiction, obesity, or chronic pain. This option is ideal if you’re interested in understanding the psychological and societal factors behind health behaviours and ways in which issues such as stress or addiction can be tackled.&nbsp;&nbsp;In this topic, you will cover the following topics:<ul><li>determinants of health&nbsp;</li><li>health problems&nbsp;</li><li>promoting health&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;<pre><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL</code></pre><h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>Option 4: Psychology of human relationships&nbsp;</h3>&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);display:inline !important;float:none;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:0px;">This option explores human relationships. You'll learn about how things like hormones, thought processes, and cultural beliefs shape the way we relate to others. You'll learn about social identity, the influence of culture, and ways to build positive relationships while minimizing conflict and violence. This option is ideal if you’re fascinated by how and why people connect, interact, and form relationships. It’s especially valuable for students interested in fields like counselling, human resources, or any career that involves understanding and improving relationships.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);display:inline !important;float:none;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:0px;">In this topic, you will cover the following topics:<ul><li>personal relationships&nbsp;</li><li>group dynamics</li><li>social responsibility&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of <a href="/ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA</a>, <a href="/ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EE </a>and <a href="/tok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TOK </a>exemplars available at <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify </a>and other guides available on our <a href="/blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">blog</a>.&nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog (79).png

Header Banner for Blog (79).png

A comprehensive guide to IB Psychology Options. 

IB Psychology Options

Are you thinking about choosing IB Psychology as your Group 3 subject for the IB program but unsure if it will be a good choice for you? If you’re considering different options and wondering about the challenges IB Psychology might pose, this guide will provide you with some insights so that you can make a well-informed decision.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">How Hard is IB Psychology?</h2>&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">&nbsp;</h3><h3 style="text-align:justify;">How hard is IB Psychology?</h3>&nbsp;Official IB statistics show that IB Psychology is quite a challenging course, with only 5.7% of HL and 4.3% of SL students achieving grade 7 according to data from the May 2024 exam session. This statistic can however be quite misleading. Just because a relatively low proportion of students achieve a perfect score does not necessarily mean that IB Psychology is difficult. It is important to keep in mind that subjects such as IB Psychology are often assessed through essays and opinion-based questions, rather than through calculations or facts. As such, there is often no right or wrong answer and grading is subjective based on the examiner, which could explain the relatively low percentage of students who achieve a 7.&nbsp;Most students admit that IB Psychology is a moderately challenging IB subject. It is considered easier than some of the more theoretical Group 3 subjects such as IB Economics and IB Business and Management. That being said, comparison between these subjects is subjective and depends heavily on an individual student's strengths. IB Psychology requires a strong understanding of theory and studies but is balanced with some real-life applications, while IB Economics tends to be more theory-based.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">What are some of the challenges of IB Psychology?</h3>&nbsp;<ul><li>Students must comprehend and compare intricate psychological theories, such as cognitive, biological, and sociocultural approaches to behaviour. Students must demonstrate that they can effectively differentiate between each of these.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Students must memorise various concepts and be able to then apply them in unfamiliar contexts.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>The course requires students to remember many key studies along with their methodologies, results, and implications which can be challenging. Students must assess the validity, reliability, ethical considerations, and cultural biases associated with these studies. This helps develop critical thinking.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Students need to link abstract psychological concepts to real-world patterns, which requires a deep understanding of psychological theory.&nbsp;</li><li>Arguments need to be clearly presented in an essay format. This requires accurate use of terminology, integration of studies/theories, and clear reasoning.&nbsp;</li><li>Students must conduct their own experiments for their IA, which can be challenging due to ethical considerations regarding data collection involving human subjects. Conducting, analyzing, and reporting the data also involves a thorough understanding of experimental design and statistical analysis.</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;<pre><code class="language-plaintext">CAROUSEL</code></pre>&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Who should consider doing IB Psychology?</h3>&nbsp;Students who wish to pursue Psychology, Counselling, Neuroscience, Social Work, or other related fields would benefit from taking IB Psychology as it provides a solid foundation for studying these programs at college, in addition to potentially being a requirement for many courses in these programs. &nbsp;&nbsp;Students wishing to pursue majors similar to those listed above should consider taking IB Psychology at the Higher Level (HL) as they will be able to gain a more in-depth study of Psychology to prepare them for higher education in related fields. Students who are interested in Psychology but do not wish to pursue majors such as those listed above are advised to take IB Psychology at the Standard Level (SL) instead.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 style="text-align:justify;">Tips for Succeeding in IB Psychology</h3>&nbsp;<ul><li>Solve past papers – IB psychology places a strong emphasis on the application of theoretical concepts. There are also many studies that students need to be familiar with. Doing past paper questions will allow you to practice and apply these learned concepts, as well as develop your essay-writing skills.&nbsp;</li><li>Learn Key Studies Inside Out - You need to reference psychological studies in exams. Make sure you:<ul><li>Know the aim, method, findings, and conclusions.</li><li>Understand how each study contributes psychological theories.</li><li>Can critically evaluate the studies in terms of strengths, limitations, and ethical considerations​.</li></ul></li></ul>&nbsp;<ul><li>Use flashcards – Create flashcards for key terms and important concepts. Quiz yourself to reinforce your memory and improve recall. This will help you retain the information better.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Practice essay questions –&nbsp; Practice writing essay-style questions as these are a big part of the examination. You should time how long you take to complete one essay as well as the entire paper. This is because essay writing can often be time-consuming as you need to plan your thoughts and write them cohesively using a good flow within a set timeframe. It is important to practice this skill beforehand to ensure you do not run out of time during the actual exam.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Stay on track – In IB Psychology, many concepts build upon previous topics. Make sure you tackle any doubts early to ensure they do not confuse you later on in the course.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Carefully plan your IA – Select a topic that you are truly interested in. Ensure your IA is well-organized, clear, and detailed as the IA is worth 20% of your overall grade. Be sure to explore our <a href="/ia/psychology">Psychology IA exemplars</a><a href="/ia/biology" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> </a>for guidance.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of <a href="/ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA</a>, <a href="/ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EE </a>and <a href="/tok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TOK </a>exemplars available at <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify </a>and other guides available on our <a href="/blog" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">blog</a>.&nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog (16).png

Header Banner for Blog (16).png

Understand how hard IB Psychology is. Explore what makes the course challenging, who is it suitable for, the difference between SL and HL, as well as tips on succeeding in IB Psychology.

How Hard is IB Psychology? 

If you're wondering about the structure and questions you may encounter in the IB Psychology Paper 3, you've come to the right place! In this post, we’ll provide a thorough breakdown of IB Psychology Paper 3, ensuring you are familiarised with the structure of the exam and know what type of questions to expect.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="text-align:center;">IB Psychology Paper 3</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Paper 3 is an HL-only paper.</li><li>The paper accounts for 20% of the final grade.</li><li>Students have 1 hour to answer the paper.</li><li>Students answer three short answer questions on approaches to research based on an unseen study.&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp;&nbsp;A typical Paper 3 may look the following way:&nbsp;Question 1 will always look the following way:&nbsp;Identify the method used and outline two characteristics of the method. [3]&nbsp;Describe the sampling method used in the study. [3]&nbsp;Suggest an alternative or additional research method giving one reason for your choice. [3]&nbsp;&nbsp;Question 2 will always ask you about the ethics in context of the study scenario e.g. &nbsp;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. [6]&nbsp;&nbsp;Question 3 will always ask about one of three issues: Generalisability, Credibility, or Bias. You may obtain the following questions:&nbsp;Discuss the possibility of generalising the findings of the study. [9]&nbsp;Discuss how a researcher could ensure that the results of the study are credible. [9]&nbsp;Discuss how the researcher in the study could avoid bias. [9]&nbsp;<h3>&nbsp;</h3><h3>How to succeed in Paper 3</h3>&nbsp;One big advantage of preparing for Paper 3 is that the format and types of questions are always the same. There are three questions, and they follow a set structure, so you know what to expect. Because of this, one of the best ways to get ready is by practicing with as many past Paper 3 exams as you can. Since you only have one hour to finish the whole paper, the real challenge is writing clear, detailed, and well-organized answers quickly. &nbsp;&nbsp;By doing lots of past papers, you’ll get used to structuring your responses well and start to understand exactly what each question wants. Over time, you’ll get faster and more accurate, so on the day of the exam, you can focus on showing what you know instead of figuring out how to answer. It also helps to look back at your practice answers carefully and compare them with mark schemes so that you can spot patterns and avoid common mistakes.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We hope you found this post helpful. For more useful materials associated with the IB check out the wide variety of <a href="/ia" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">IA</a>, <a href="/ee" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EE </a>and <a href="/tok" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TOK </a>exemplars available at <a href="/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clastify</a>.&nbsp;

thumbnail_Header Banner for Blog - 2025-07-25T134519.187.png

Header Banner for Blog - 2025-07-25T134519.187.png

A comprehensive guide to IB Psychology Paper 3. Learn about IB Psychology Paper 3 structure, duration, questions, weighting, as well as tips on how to answer. 

IB Psychology Paper 3

IB Psychology investigates human behavior and mental processes through biological, cognitive, and sociocultural perspectives. Students learn research methods, explore psychological theories, and apply scientific approaches to understanding human thought, emotion, and behavior.

IB Psychology

Coursework Exemplars

IA/EE Review

Notes

Grade Boundaries

Syllabus + Topics

Command Terms

Paper Weighting

13,225 students

4.4 average grade

Difficulty

Grade distribution

Helpful Blog Posts

Psychology IA Topic Ideas + Examples

13,225 students

4.4 average grade

Difficulty

Grade distribution