After completing the biology of memory part of the course, I take one class to teach a bit about Alzheimer's disease. My goal is to expose them to the topic but also to build a sense of empathy - as well as to get them to think about careers in research vs careers in patient care and counselling. 5 – 10% of people over 65-years-old will develop Alzheimer’s.Background theoryTo start,...

The following study by Beaman et al (1978) investigated whether people can be taught to overcome bystander apathy and be "trained to be a helper." The study is a good example of experimental design in the study of social responsibility.Background informationOne of the key questions of social psychology is whether we can learn to be helpers. Many education programs, including the IB's...

Alloy et al (1999) carried out a study to the role that one's cognitive style plays in the development of depression. This study may be used to discuss the aetiology of one disorder - or more specifically a cognitive approach to etiologies of disorders.BackgroundThe cognitive vulnerability hypothesis argues that there are maladaptive thinking patterns that make a person more likely to develop...

If you have seen the Ted Talk How to make stress your friend, then you have heard Kelly McGonigal discuss a study on how cognitive appraisal can affect your level of stress during a difficult public speaking task. The study she was describing is by Jamieson et al (2011). This study may be used to discuss a cognitive approach to one health problem - stress. It could also be used to discuss either research...

Essential understandingsOur behaviour is influenced by others, even when we believe that we are acting independently.We have both an individual and a social identity which influences our behaviour.Behaviours are learned through our interaction and observation of others.Stereotypes affect behaviour.The sociocultural approachPsychologists recognize that human behaviour can only be fully understood if...

The following set of practice papers are not official IB papers. As of the creation of this page, there is only one specimen paper available. All of the papers are created here by me, based on examiner experience.The questions for the papers are always the same. An explanation of the questions is given below.For each exam, there is a set of sample responses. Remember that in the new curriculum the...

In order to prepare for exams, it is important to prepare a "tailor-made" study guide. A study guide should reflect your own learning and not just what someone tells you is the "best" research to use on an exam.For the topic "brain and behaviour", you will find an attached study guide. I recommend that you attempt to fill it in before looking at the responses below. There...

This section focuses on the external assessment - that is, the exams that are sat either in November or May by your students. This section contains sample marking and marking practice. In addition, it includes tips for exam preparation. External Assessment Paper 1 is the same structure for both SL and HL. Students are required to answer three short-answer questions (SAQs), one from each of the three...

This section of the site is devoted to materials that may be used to organize and assist students in the setting up and carrying out of the internal assessment. The section includes suggestions for experiments to replicate, reminders of restrictions for the internal assessment, planners and checklists, as well as samples of IA's which students should consult before starting their report writing....

The following lesson looks at biological theories with regard to Major Depressive Disorder. The lesson starts by finding out what students already know and surfacing any misconceptions about the disorder. It also involves "meeting" some people with the disorder before delving into the biological origins of depression.Remember that the research used here can be applied on Paper 1. This includes...