Oxford IB Diploma Programme: Psychology Course Companion

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
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I was very fond of the earlier edition of the curriculum book through Oxford and have it with me all the time. I was very excited to see there was an updated version to go with the new curriculum. The book is very well presented in the new format and seems to be very straight forward with the material and the expectations held by IB. I like how it is set up and think it will make covering the material much more organized for both the teacher and the
students. * Kimberly Drugan, Psychology Teacher, Firestone Community Learning Center, Ohio, USA *
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