St Edward's IB Guide 2026

PSYCHOLOGY

“Avoid becoming a mere recorder of facts but try to penetrate the mystery of their origin.” IVAN PAVLOV (1849-1936)

Skills Developed • Critical analysis of psychological theories and research • Application of ethical research practices • Development of research proposals and practical investigations • Enhanced communication and collaboration skills • Cultural competence and appreciation of diverse perspectives Course Structure The curriculum is organized around three interrelated components: • Concepts: Six overarching ideas that unify the course content: bias, causality, change, measurement, perspective, and responsibility. • Content: Core psychological approaches and research methodologies. • Contexts: Real-world applications in four mandatory areas: • Health and well-being • Human development • Human relationships • Learning and cognition

Psychology is the study of the mind and behaviour and it seeks to understand how people think, feel and behave. It is essentially about people and why they behave as they do. Psychologists investigate the causes of behaviour employing scientific techniques. As a result, psychologists have learned much that can help people to fulfil their potential as human beings and increase understanding and functioning in all aspects of life. The IB Psychology course is part of Group 3 (Individuals and Societies). It explores the systematic study of human behaviour and mental processes, and integrates biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches to understand psychological phenomena. The course emphasises the development of psychological literacy, critical thinking, and ethical research practices. The aim is to encourage a more concept-driven approach to teaching and learning, facilitating deeper understanding and connections across topics. The addition of class practicals provides an opportunity for pupils to engage in research-based activities beyond the IA. This shift aligns with the IB’s broader emphasis on inquiry-based learning and may require teachers to adopt a more experimental approach in their classrooms.

Assessment Both SL and HL pupils will engage in research proposals and practicals, with HL pupils delving deeper into data analysis and interpretation.

COMPONENT

STANDARD LEVEL

HIGHER LEVEL

Paper 1 1.5 hours

Two very short-answer questions (4 marks each) assessing basic knowledge, and two short- answer questions (6 marks each) requiring application of knowledge to specific contexts. Four compulsory questions focusing on class practicals and one evaluation of an unseen research study.

Paper 2 1.5 hours Paper 3 1.75 hours

N/A

Four source-based questions from one of the HL extensions, assessing deeper understanding and application of psychological concepts. We will explore the effects of motivation, culture, and technology across all contexts.

Internal Assessment (coursework)

A research proposal based on one of the class practicals, emphasising research planning and ethical considerations. This accounts for 30% of the final grade at SL and 20% at HL.

IB COURSE GUIDE

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