IB Psychology Course Book: Oxford IB Diploma Programme

Table of contents

Unit 1 Research methodology; Research in psychology; Quantitative research: the experiment; Quantitative research: correlational studies; Qualitative research; Qualitative research methods; Ethics in psychological research; Unit 2 Biological approach to behaviour; Localization; Neuroplasticity; Neurotransmitters and behaviour; Techniques used to study the brain in relation to behaviour; Hormones and behaviour; Pheromones and behaviour; Genes and behaviour; genetic similarities; Evolutionary explanations for behaviour; The role of animal research in understanding human behaviour (HL only); Unit 3 Cognitive approach to behaviour; Concepts and principles of the cognitive approach to behaviour; Models of memory; Schema theory; Thinking and decision-making; Reliability of cognitive processes: reconstructive memory; Biases in thinking and decision-making; Emotion and cognition; Cognitive processing in the digital world (HL only); Unit 4 Sociocultural approach to behaviour; Cultural influences on individual attitudes, identities and behaviours - culture and cultural norms; Cultural origins of behaviour and cognition - cultural dimensions; The individual and the group - social cognitive theory; The individual and the group - social identity theory and stereotyping; The influence of globalization on individual behaviour; Unit 5 Abnormal psychology; Normality versus abnormality; Classification systems; Prevalence rates and disorders; Validity and reliability of diagnosis; The role of clinical biases in diagnosis; Explanations for disorders - biological explanations for depression; Explanations for disorders - cognitive and sociocultural explanations for depression; Assessing the effectiveness of treatment; Biological treatment of depression; Psychological treatment of depression; The role of culture in treatment; Unit 6 Health psychology; Determinants of health; Health problem 1: obesity and being overweight; Social cognitive explanations of health problems; Promoting health; Health problem 2: stress; Unit 7 Psychology of human relationships; Personal relationships; Group dynamics; Prejudice and discrimination; Origins of conflict and conflict resolution; Social responsibility; Unit 8 Developmental psychology; Brain development; Cognitive development; Development of empathy and theory of mind; Gender identity and social roles; Attachment; Role of peers and play; Childhood trauma and resilience; Effects of poverty on relationships; Unit 9 Internal assessment; Overview of the requirements for internal assessment; Planning the investigation; Writing the introduction; Writing the exploration; Conducting the analysis; Writing the evaluation; References and appendices; Unit 10 The IB curriculum: a conceptual model; Examination requirements; The extended essay; Other resources