Exam Tips & Guidance (DP IB Psychology)

Let’s take this question: ‘Contrast two theories of the formation of personal relationships.’ [22]

What is this question asking you to do?

Start with the command term: “contrast” requires you to assess the ways in which two theories of relationship formation differ e.g. in their assumptions, methods, results and conclusions. You will be expected to show an understanding of how each theory explains relationship formation in itself as well as how the theories are integrated. The two theories should be contrasted throughout the essay.

Here are some useful sentence stems/phrases that will help you to form effective ‘Contrast’ points:

• One key point of contrast between the two theories is that…

• One way in which X theory differs from Y theory is that X cannot explain…whereas Y presents a fully and rounded explanation of the formation of relationships

• Y study used a sample of all-male students whereas X study used a more general sample of…

• X only explains relationships in terms of biological factors such as…Y, however takes a cognitive approach in that…

• X study collected quantitative data by…This is in contrast to Y study which collected qualitative data via…

• There are contrasting evaluation issues between the two theories, for example…

But what does all of that actually mean?

Students often express some confusion (panic even!) when they read exam questions. This confusion/panic tends to stem from a) exam nerves (understandable) and b) misreading the question or feeling that the question is asking them to do something that they have never done before. 

So, let’s unpack the above exam question and break it down into its constituent parts; this way you will be able to see that yes, you can answer this question and yes, you have studied the correct theories and studies that will enable you to answer the question. You should use this approach to deconstruct all possible exam questions as this strategy will help you to understand and be prepared for whatever the exam throws at you!

• Unpacking the question: ‘Contrast two theories of the formation of personal relationships.’  [22]

• ‘Contrast’ means (as already mentioned) that you need to assess key differences between two theories of relationship formation by considering the assumptions, methods, results and conclusions of each, for example:

• Biological theories of relationship formation include:

  • Any factors which involve internal physiological processes as a key influence on behaviour

  • Internal physiological processes include brain structure, evolutionary mechanisms, neurotransmitters

  • The above assumptions and topics included in biological theories can then be contrasted with one other approach: cognitive or sociocultural

  • If biological theories are contrasted with sociocultural theories then the essay will look at how internal factors can be contrasted with external factors (e.g. the presence of other people; culture) in determining how and why relationships are formed

• The formation of relationships (and this may seem obvious but it’s worth reiterating just for clarity) refers to any behaviour (or sets of behaviours) which result in a meaningful bond being established between two people (romantic or friendship)

In conclusion, this question is asking you, ‘Can you point out and expand on key differences between two theories of relationship formation beyond the obvious (i.e. one is X and one is Y)?’

How to get full marks for this question

Yes, it is possible to get full marks for this question or for any question on any of your IB Psychology papers. It is, however, not easy to do so (if it was, everyone would be doing it!) but with hard work, revision (and use of this helpful revision site!) full marks could be yours.

So, let’s take this bit by bit: what do you need to do to be in with a chance of achieving 100% on this question?

1. First, the good news (yes, there is some): you do not need to cover two sociocultural factors in your exam response (the IB state this clearly on the markscheme for this question so relax, it’s fine to just focus on one factor, but you can cover two if you like)

2. With the above point in mind, decide which points of contrast you are going to use in your essay - if you are using this revision site as your guide you may choose to go the following route:

   1. Theory - Evolutionary explanations for relationship formation and/or neurochemical explanations

   2. Research - Clarke & Hatfield (1989) and/or Fisher et al. (2005)

Contrast the above with:

3. Theory - Proximity and/or culture

4. Research - Festinger et al. (1950) and/or Gupta & Singh (1982)

3. You need to be able to satisfy the markscheme criteria as follows:

   1. Focus on the question (2 marks) - are you explaining each point of contrast throughout your essay?

   2. Knowledge & Understanding (6 marks) - do you know each theory well, in detail, and can you give examples to illustrate your understanding of how key points of each theory, study and topic contrast?

   3. Use of research (6 marks) - is your answer evidence-based? Does this evidence support your argument? One study in detail per theory is better than using several studies at a superficial level that repeat the same point over and over

   4. Critical thinking (6 marks) - does your answer show that you have an inquiring and reflective mind? Have you evaluated and contrasted the research methodology as well as the theories themselves? Have you challenged the central assumptions of the question along with its attendant theories and research?

   5. Clarity & organisation (2 marks) - is your meaning clear throughout and have you structured your essay coherently?  

That’s all very well but can you show me how?....

There is a full exemplar answer to this response (see the page titled ‘Model Exam Response - The Psychology of Human Relationships’). This exemplar response is accompanied by commentary linking each paragraph back to the question, explaining how it satisfies the criteria for full marks. 

But just to whet your appetite and give you a ‘taster’ of the exemplar response here are some edited highlights:

Exemplar paragraph from the model answer:

Commentary provided for the above paragraph: