IB Psychology 2012-2014

Contact:
There are 5 lessons per 2 weeks. The actual format of lessons is varied depending upon the topics being covered, for example, lecture; seminar; workshop; group work; individual research; teacher and student presentations. A heavy emphasis is placed upon critical discussion as well as developing your understanding of research and your understanding of how science works. To obtain a grade that matches your potential you need to spend a similar amount of time outside class on individual work: for example, researching topics, reading as well as completing homework assignments.
Homework assignments are an essential component of the course, specific tasks may differ in type and format for example, they may include completing worksheets or notes, short question, essays, independent research, or specific revision of material already covered. All assignments have strict deadlines and have to be completed in full and handed in on time.

Individual work & Homework

Assessment:

IB Psychology is assessed by essay type answers, through two unseen examinations at the end of the course (2014). Paper 1 (Core, 2 hour paper which contributes 50% of your mark) and Paper 2 (Option, 1 hour paper which contributes 25%). It is important that you become familiar with the format of assessment and marking criteria, and there will be mock examinations and related assignments (essay questions) throughout the course. The final component involves students carrying out a replication of a study and a report. The report is assessed internally and contributes 25% of your total mark.
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IB Psychology Summary
Main Textbooks we use for Psychology IB Standard Level
Hannibal, J. (2012) Psychology for the IB Diploma: IB Study Guide. Oxford University Press. Law, A., Halkiopoulos, C., Bryan-Zaykov, C. (2010) Psychology: Pearson Baccalaureate, Pearson Education, London.

Overview of Psychology IB Standard Level

See IB Psychology standard level subject brief, (handout) or pdf: http://ibo.org/recognition/resources/documents/SLPsychologyBrief2.1.pdf

The Core: Levels of Analysis

The study of the biological level of analysis, the cognitive level of analysis and the sociocultural level of analysis comprises the core of the psychology course. The three levels of analysis focus on three fundamental influences on behaviour: (1) biological; (2) cognitive; (3) sociocultural. The interaction of these influences substantially determines behaviour. The level of analysis approach reflects a modern trend in psychology towards integration and demonstrates how explanations offered by each of the three levels of analysis (biological, cognitive and sociocultural) complement one another and together provide more complete and satisfactory explanations of behaviour. The three levels of analysis can be usefully compared to three microscope lenses of different magnification. Each lens reveals a different picture of the intricate structure that exists at a variety of levels, but no single picture explains the whole object; a synthesis is necessary. Synthesis of the rich and diverse content of modern psychology is the chief aim of IB psychology.

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The Option: Abnormal Psychology

Abnormal psychology focuses on diagnosing, explaining and treating humans suffering from psychological disorders. This option begins with a consideration of normal and abnormal behaviour. An understanding of issues related to diagnosis provides a framework for the subsequent study of disorders and therapeutic approaches. Although there are numerous psychological disorders this option focuses on the following three groups of disorders: (1) anxiety (for example, agoraphobia); (2) affective (for example, depression); (3) eating (for example, bulimia). By studying one disorder from two of these groups of disorders, students are encouraged to develop an awareness of the range of psychological disorders. This approach embraces the etiology, symptoms and prevalence of each disorder. As a consequence of this understanding, it is possible to administer effective treatments while at the same time having an appreciation of relevant cultural and gender variations. Therapeutic approaches to treating disorders may be broadly organized into three groups: (1) biomedical therapies ( for example, drug therapy); (2) individual psychological therapies (for example, systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring therapy); (3) group psychological therapies (for example, encounter groups, family therapy, community based therapy). Therapies from each of these approaches involve the use of specific techniques that need to be applied appropriately. These approaches should reflect a considerable degree of efficacy and ethical appropriateness to the specific disorder.

The Internal Assessment (1A):

The Internal Assessment (IA) gives you the opportunity to gain specific understanding of how psychological research is carried out and something about the process of publication first hand. You are required to plan and carry out an investigation, which must be replication of an experiment that has been published. That means you must have an independent (which you are manipulating) and a dependent variable (which you hypothesize will be affected by the manipulation of your independent variable). Although this component is a wonderful opportunity for students, it is a formal assignment that is rather complex and intricate. This work is assessed by a write-up of the investigation (referred to as the final report), which has to be presented and written in a particular format, which requires considerable effort and attention to detail. In the end, you should have a finished project that you are proud of.
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IB Psychology Some useful and interesting Links

Twitter Ardingly Psychology http://www.twitter.com/ArdinglyPsych Psychology dictionary and glossary http://www.tuition.com.hk/psychology/ internet dictionary by ITS Tutorial School Research Digest blog http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/ informative blog summarizing the latest research within Psychology The British Psychological Society - http://www.bps.org.uk/ BPS Introduction to Psychology http://www.bps.org.uk/psychology-public/introduction-psychology/introduction-psychology nice introduction to Psychology from the BPS American Psychological Association - http://www.apa.org/ Guardians Psychology page - http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/psychology regular articles on how Psychology interacts with our everyday lives Revision Notes: IB Psychology - http://www.revision-notes.co.uk/IB/Psychology/index.html IB Psychology Notes. A Free & Comprehensive Guide To The World of Psychology - http://www.all-about-psychology.com/ wide range of resources relevant to many Psychology syllabi. Exploring-Psychology http://exploring--psychology.blogspot.com/ blog exploring key topics within Psychology All about psychology http://www.onlineschools.org/resources/all-about-psychology/ Online Schools Psychology website containing links to biographies of key figures in Psychology, information on careers and important organizations in Psychology. APA Style/Citations http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/ Useful website that clearly explains APA citations APA Style http://flash1r.apa.org/apastyle/basics/index.htm Specifically for writing up research investigations this is an interactive guide to how to format your report in APA style psychnet-uk.com http://www.psychnet-uk.com/ Comprehensive website with over 8000 resources on mental health ALevelPsychology.co.uk http://alevelpsychology.co.uk/ Website with resources for A-Level students BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/ BBC Human Body and Mind website with facts and interactive quizzes IB Psychology Notes - http://kstruct.com/ib_notes/IB_Psychology Psychology notes IB Revision - http://ibpsychrevision.blogspot.co.uk/ Psychology Class - http://www.gradebook.org/Psychology Class.htm A collection of psychology resources A Research Guide for Students - http://www.aresearchguide.com/ S-cool.co.uk - http://www.s-cool.co.uk/alevel/psychology.html Notes on key topics for A-Level Psychology The Internet Public Library http://www.ipl.org/IPLBrowse/GetSubject?vid=13&cid=1&tid=6895&parent=6687 Psychology links 40 Superb Psychology Blogs http://www.spring.org.uk/2009/07/40-superb-psychology-blogs.php top 40 blogs 20 core psychology studies http://www.holah.karoo.net/corestudies.htm Holah Psychology
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