International Baccalaureate Psychology

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners, who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right. Group 3 subjects study individuals and societies. More commonly, these subjects are collectively known as the human sciences or social sciences. In essence, Group 3 subjects explore the interactions between humans and their environment in time and place.

Psychology may be taken at Standard Level (2.5 hrs/week) or Higher level (4.5hrs/week). Both are assessed by exams at the end of the second academic year and a report of an experimental piece of coursework, which counts as 25% of the Standard course and 20% of the Higher. The exams require answers in essay style, so competence in English is advisable.

Both Standard and Higher students take the ‘Core’ syllabus comprising:

• The Biological level of analysis deals with those aspects of neurobiology and behaviour that all humankind shares. (e.g. genes, brain, hormones and nerves.)

• The Cognitive level of analysis has its roots in biology but can be affected by sociocultural factors. (e.g. perception and memory)

• The Sociocultural level of analysis looks at the role culture and society in establishing cultural and individual differences in behaviour. (e.g. conformity and obedience)

In addition to the core, there are Options, Higher students do two and Standard students do one of these. e.g.

·       Abnormal behaviour (diagnosis and treatment of disorders, e.g. Phobic and Eating Disorders)

·       Human Relationships (Pro-social behaviour, attraction, formation and maintenance of relationships. Violence)

·       Health Psychology. (e.g. Stress and coping with stress, health promotion)

Higher level students do an additional section on non-experimental research methods which is assessed in a separate exam.

Higher Level: 4.5 hrs/week

Core exam (35%), Options (2) exam (25%), Research Methods exam (20%), Coursework (20%)         

Standard Level: 2.5hrs/week

Core exam (50%), Option (1) Exam (25%), Coursework (25%)