IB Psychology Topics by Exam Board: Full List

As an IB Psychology student, locating the information you require about the exam board you are studying can be challenging. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the IB psychology topics for HL and for SL. This way, you will know exactly what to learn and where to look for the best exam board-specific revision materials.

IB Psychology Topics

If you are taking HL you will study two of the following topics; if you are taking SL you will study one of the following topics:

OPTIONS:

1. Abnormal Psychology

2. Developmental Psychology

3. Health Psychology

4. Psychology of Human Relationships

The Core Approaches

1. The Biological Approach to understanding behaviour 

This topic explores the relationship between biological and psychological processes with its emphasis on internal, physiological causes of behaviour, e.g., the role of neurotransmitters in behaviour; how brain structure can provide insight into specific behaviours such as emotion or language.

Topics include (both SL and HL):

• The Brain & Behaviour:

  • Neuroplasticity

    • Neural Networks and Neural Pruning

  • Localisation of Function

  • Neurotransmitters

    • Agonists and antagonists

    • Excitatory/inhibitory Neurotransmitters

  • Techniques used to study the brain

• Hormones & Pheromones

  • The role of specific hormones in behaviour e.g., oxytocin

  • Pheromones in humans

    • AND and EST

• Genetics & Behaviour

  • One gene e.g. the 5-HTT gene and its effect on behaviour

  • Genetic Similarity

    • twin and kinship studies

  • Evolutionary Explanations for Behaviour

Biological Approach HL topics include (you will not study these if you are SL):

• The Role of Animal Research in Understanding Human Behaviour

  • The Value of Animal Models to Provide Insight into Human Behaviour

  • Ethical Considerations in Animal Research

2. The Cognitive Approach to understanding behaviour 

This topic explores the idea that the human mind works much in the same way as a computer: encoding, processing and storing information. This approach focuses on areas of research such as memory, schema theory, thinking, and how cognition may influence behaviour and the extent to which such processes are reliable, for example, in  thinking and memory.

Topics include (both SL and HL):

• Cognitive Processing

  • Models of Memory

    • Multi Store Model

    • Working Memory Model

  • Schema Theory

    • Cognitive Schema

  • Thinking & Decision-Making

    • Rational Thinking

    • Intuitive Thinking

• Reliability of Cognitive Processes

  • Reconstructive memory e.g. confabulation, information after the event

  • Biases in Thinking & Decision-Making e.g. illusory correlation, just-world hypothesis

• Emotion & Cognition

  • The influence of emotion on cognitive processes e.g. flashbulb memory

Cognitive Approach HL topics include (you will not study these if you are SL):

• Cognitive processing in a technological (digital/modern) world

  • The Influence (positive & negative) of Technologies (digital/modern) on Cognitive Processes

  • Methods used to Study the Interaction between Technologies & Cognitive Processes

3. The Sociocultural Approach to understanding behaviour 

This topic explores the role played by social and cultural influences in shaping thinking and human behaviour. The topic considers the influence of others on the individual and places an emphasis on the role of culture, both from a cross-cultural perspective and a culturally relative perspective.

Topics include (both SL and HL):

• The Individual & the Group

  • Social Identity Theory

    • Social Groups

  • Social Cognitive Theory e.g. self-efficacy, reciprocal determinism

  • Formation of Stereotypes e.g. illusory correlation

  • The Effects of Stereotyping e.g. stereotype threat

• Cultural Origins of Behaviour & Cognition

  • Culture and its Influence on Behaviour & Cognition

    • Cultural Groups

    • Cultural Dimensions e.g., individualism vs. collectivism

• Cultural Influences on Individual Behaviour

  • Enculturation

    • Norms

  • Acculturation

    • Assimilation/Assimilate

Sociocultural Approach HL topics include (you will not study these if you are SL):

• The Influence of Globalisation on Individual Behaviour

  • The Effect of the Interaction of Local & Global Influences on Behaviour

  • Research Methods used to Study the Influence of Globalisation on Behaviour

What is covered in IB Psychology Paper 1?

1. Approaches to Researching Behaviour (HL only)

This topic analyses two categories of research - experimental and non-experimental methods, essentially quantitative and qualitative methods.

Topics include:

• Research methods

  • Quantitative methods

    • Lab experiments 

    • Field experiments 

    • Quasi experiments

    • Natural experiments

    • Correlational research

    • Surveys

  • Qualitative methods:

    • Case study

    • Observation

    • Interviews (unstructured; semi-structured; focus groups)

• Research designs

  • Independent groups/measures

  • Repeated measures

  • Matched pairs

• Hypothesis

  • Alternative hypothesis

  • Null hypothesis

• Variables

  • Independent variable

  • Dependent variable

• Sampling Technique

  • Random sampling

  • Opportunity/Convenience sampling

  • Volunteer sampling

  • Purposive sampling

  • Snowball sampling

• Standardisation/Control

• Ethical Considerations

• Analysing Data

• Evaluation of research data for:

  • reliability

  • validity (internal/external)

  • credibility

• Bias

  • Researcher bias

  • Participant bias

  • Sampling bias

• Drawing Conclusions:

  • Correlation and causation

  • Replication

  • Generalisation for quantitative research

  • Transferability for qualitative research

  • Triangulation

What is covered in IB Psychology Paper 3 (HL only)?

1. Abnormal Psychology (Option Topic)

This topic explores the diagnosis, explanation, and treatment of abnormal behaviour e.g. depression, phobias. Abnormal psychology considers the extent to which behaviour can be labelled normal/abnormal, how a diagnosis is reached, how different approaches explain specific disorders and the range of treatments used e.g. drugs, CBT.

Topics include:

• Factors Influencing Diagnosis

  • Normality vs Abnormality

  • Classification Systems

  • The Role of Clinical Biases in Diagnosis

  • Validity & Reliability of Diagnosis

• Etiology of Abnormal Psychology

  • Explanations for Disorder(s)

  • Prevalence Rates & Disorder(s)

• Treatment of Disorder(s)

  • Biological Treatment

  • Psychological Treatment

  • The Role of Culture in Treatment

  • Assessing the Effectiveness of Treatment(s)

You will be expected to integrate the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches into your exam answers.

You may also be asked questions on research methods and/or ethics linked to the content of this option.

2. Developmental Psychology (Option Topic)

This topic is the study of how and why people’s behaviour and thinking changes over time, usually linked to their age and developmental milestones. Developmental psychology focuses on how development may thrive or founder depending on specific internal and external factors. There is a strong link to the nature-nurture debate when considering development.

Topics include:

• Influence on Cognitive & Social Development

  • Role of Peers & Play

  • Childhood Trauma & Resilience

  • Poverty/Socioeconomic Status

• Developing an Identity

  • Attachment

  • Gender Identity & Social Roles

  • Development of Empathy & Theory of Mind

• Developing as a Learner

  • Cognitive Development

  • Brain Development

You will be expected to integrate the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches into your exam answers.

You may also be asked questions on research methods and/or ethics linked to the content of this option.

3. Health Psychology (Option Topic)

This topic explores the differences in attitudes towards health-related behaviour, variations in the incidence of health problems as well as ways to promote healthy living. You may study a single health issue or explore more than one e.g. stress, smoking.

Topics include:

• Determinants of Health

  • Biopsychosocial Model of Health & Well-being

  • Dispositional Factors & Health Beliefs

  • Risk & Protective Factors

• Health Problems

  • Explanations of Health Problem(s)

  • Prevalence Rates of Health Problem(s)

• Promoting Health

  • Health Promotion

  • Effectiveness of Health Promotion Programme(s)

You will be expected to integrate the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches into your exam answers.

You may also be asked questions on research methods and/or ethics linked to the content of this option.

4. Psychology of Human Relationships (Option Topic)

This topic explores the ways in which humans form bonds, both romantic and non-romantic. A range of theories of attraction are considered along with questions such as ‘why do some people receive help in an emergency while others do not?’ Ways of promoting prosocial behaviour are also explored.

Topics include:

• Personal Relationships

  • Formation of Personal Relationships

  • Role of Communication

  • Explanations for why Relationships Change or End

• Group Dynamics

  • Co-operation & Competition

  • Prejudice & Discrimination

  • Origins of Conflict & Conflict Resolution

• Social Responsibility

  • Bystanderism

  • Prosocial Behaviour

  • Promoting Prosocial Behaviour

You will be expected to integrate the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches into your exam answers.

You may also be asked questions on research methods and/or ethics linked to the content of this option.

What is covered in IB Psychology Paper 2?

Revision Resources for IB Psychology

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