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Writing samples: Cognitive

The following section includes annotated samples of responses to exam questions - as well as strategies for answering questions based on the command terms. The responses are not from the IB.  They are created specifically for the site.

There is no definitive list of questions for this curriculum - so the list of potential questions below is not exhaustive. The questions are grouped by topic and include both SAQ and ERQ (essay) questions.

SAQs may be asked using the command terms explain, describe, or outline.  To see a list of the SAQs that may be asked on Paper 1 for the cognitive approach, see this page.

ERQs may be asked using the command terms discuss, evaluate, contrast, or "to what extent" as appropriate. All examples below will use the command term "discuss" to simplify this page.

Please note that I have listed all questions as "one or more" - but there is no guarantee that the IB will not ask for only "one."  It is not possible, however, that the IB would ask for two of anything on Paper 1.

For the ERQ responses, students should include two or more pieces of research. Only one piece of research should be used for responses to SAQs.

Potential exam questions: Generic

ERQs
  1. Discuss (or Evaluate) the use of one or more research methods used in the study of cognitive processes.
  2. Discuss (or Evaluate) the use of one or more research methods used in the study of the reliability of cognitive processes.
  3. Discuss (or Evaluate) the use of one or more research methods used in the study of the role of emotion on cognition.
  4. Discuss two or more ethical considerations in the study of cognitive processes.
  5. Discuss two or more ethical considerations in the study of the reliability of cognitive processes.
  6. Discuss two or more ethical considerations in the study of the role of emotion on cognition.

Potential exam questions: Cognitive processes

ERQs
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of schema theory.
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) Schema theory.
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of one or more models of memory.
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) one model of memory.
  • Contrast two models of memory.
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of thinking and decision-making.
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) one model of thinking and decision-making.

Potential exam questions: Reliability of cognitive processes

ERQs
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of the reliability of one cognitive process.
  • Discuss the reliability of one cognitive process.
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of reconstructive memory.
  • Discuss reconstructive memory.
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of one or more cognitive biases.
  • Discuss one or more cognitive biases.

Potential exam questions: Emotion and cognition

ERQs
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) one or more studies of the role of emotion on one cognitive process.
  • Discuss (or Evaluate) one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process.

Potential exam questions: Technology and cognition (HL only)

Extension questions may only be asked as ERQs; never as SAQs.

  • Discuss one or more studies of the influence of digital technology on cognitive processes.
  • Discuss one or more positive effects of technology on one or more cognitive processes.
  • Discuss one or more negative effects of technology on one or more cognitive processes.
  • Discuss one or more research methods used to study the interaction between technologies and cognitive processes.
  • Discuss the role of digital technology on emotion and cognition.
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