PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME Student Handbook
Contents Topic Page What Is Psychology? 3 What will we study in Year 1 of the Psychology course? 4 What will we study in Year 2 of the Psychology course? 7 What will I be expected to do during the course? 10 How do I best organise myself? 11 Subject Outlines 12 Where do I get help? 13 Useful Books 14 Useful Websites 15 What are the examiners looking for? 16 Psychology at University 17 Psychology and Careers 18 2
What is Psychology? Psychology is the study of behaviour and experience and psychologists are especially interested in why people behave as they do. Psychologists observe behaviour, formulate an explanation or theory to account for behaviour, and then conduct a test to see if their theory is correct. Different types of psychologists have varying opinions about what the causes of behaviour are and at Year 1 and Year 2 of the IB course we will explore these explanations. Psychology courses consider behaviour from these different perspectives. This causes lots of debate psychologists do not agree on much! For this reason, there is no one correct answer to a psychological question such as; What is normal behaviour? The answer depends on how you define normal as well as which culture you are referring to. Psychologists try to answer questions about human behaviour so that we can: better understand ourselves and others use psychological knowledge to improve our society discover what influences our behaviour They answer these questions by using statistics, conducting detailed studies and developing theories on people's behaviour. Within your IB course you will learn about different psychologists findings and ideas and their competing explanations. Taking a course in psychology will change your life. Besides learning about human behaviour, you should also learn how to express yourself coherently, how to challenge information, how to be confident about yourself, and to be a better friend, employee and member of society! 3
What will we study in Year 1 of IB Psychology course? Unit 1: The Underlying Perspectives. Psychodynamic Perspective, especially Sigmund Freud. Behaviourist Perspective, including Classical and Operant Conditioning. Neo Behaviourist Perspective Social Learning Theory. Humanistic Perspective, incl. Maslow & Rodgers. Cognitive Perspective Information Processing Theory. These underlying perspectives are the foundation stones of psychology but not directly examined until the Year 2 of your IB course. Unit 2: Research Methods. Quantitative and Qualitative research methods including a. Experiments, including laboratory, field and natural experiments. b. Investigations using correlational analysis. c. Naturalistic observations. d. Questionnaire surveys. e. Interviews. Research Design and Implementation, including: a. Aims and hypothesis formulation. b. Research designs. c. Factors associated with research design. d. The selection of participants. e. The relationship between researchers and participants. Data analysis, including: a. Analysis of qualitative data. b. Measures of central tendency and dispersion. 4
c. The nature of positive and negative correlations. d. Graphs and charts. Unit 3: Socio-Cultural Levels of Analysis Conformity and Minority Influence. Obedience to Authority. Critical Issue: Ethical Issues in psychological research. Unit 4: Cognitive Levels of Analysis Short & long term memory. Critical issue: Eyewitness testimony Emotions and Cognitive links with physiological responses. Unit 5 : Biological Levels of Analysis Genetics Influences on Intelligence. Stress as a bodily response. Role of Neurotransmitters and influence on behaviour. Brain Scanning technologies How will I be examined on Unit 2, 3, 4 and 5? These units make up the components of Paper 1 of the IB course. Both Standard Level and Higher level students will be assessed on this paper. Paper 1 has two sections Section A = Three Short Answer Questions worth 8 marks and Section B = Three essay questions in which you are required to answer 1. This section of the paper is worth 22 marks. 5
OPTION unit ( Standard Level and Higher Level) Unit 6: Abnormal Psychology Defining Abnormality The Biological Model of Abnormality. Psychological Models of Abnormality. Unit 6: Abnormal Psychology ` Schizophrenia. Depression. Anxiety disorders. Unit 6: Abnormal Psychology Biological (somatic) therapies. Behavioural therapies. Alternatives to biological and behavioural therapies. How will I be examined on Abnormal Psychology? These unit make up assessment components for Paper two. Both standard level and higher level candidates will be assessed. This unit has a one-hour exam (for standard level), which will contain three questions totalling 22 marks each. You have to answer one question on abnormal psychology (for standard level). Higher level works a bit differently. Module 4. Developmental Psychology - Attachment. 6
HIGHER Level (HL) Candidates Only Paper two Option (2) : The Psychology Of Human Relationships In this unit. HL students will examine the following behavioural phenomenon:- Social Responsibility: Human Altruism and Pro- Social Behaviour Cross Cultural Differences in Pro-Social Behaviour Research exploring bystanderism Interpersonal Relationships Examine biological, psychological and social origins of attraction Definitions of LOVE Role of communication in maintaining relationships Role of culture plays in formation and maintenance of relationships Analyse why relationships may change or end 7
Internal Assessment You will have to produce a piece of coursework where you actually plan and carry out a psychological study. This will be completed in the Michaelmas Term in Year 2 of your IB course. There are four main sections to the coursework: 1. Introduction 2. Method 3. Results 4. Discussion You will receive a folder of information to help you to achieve your best possible grade in this module later in the course. 8
What will I be expected to do during the course? The course is packed full of new ideas and debates that makes lessons varied and exciting. Psychology is not about discussing what you think, most of the time we will be looking at the views of psychologists and it is here that you will have the chance to offer your opinion. Before we can do this, however, like any other subject, you will have to learn about the psychologists, their theories and their findings. There is a lot of material to get through during the course and because of this we have very high expectations of you. In return for your hard work you should also have expectations of your teachers. From You Attendance at all lessons Meeting all deadlines Participate in lesson activities Not holidays during term time Punctuality at lessons Respecting others' individuality To try your hardest, always! From Us Work to be set if absent Homework returned to you within two weeks To provide varied lessons Support and advice Prompt starts to lessons Materials and course info Monitor your progress Should you fail to live up to our high expectations you could expect the following sanctions: IB 'Cause for Concern' Monitoring Referral to the Senior School Team Contact with home 9
How do I best organise myself? As simple as it sounds you are more likely to be able to achieve a better grade from your work if you can be organised in your time and your materials used. Time: Do not leave your work until the last minute you will be given one to two weeks for each major piece of work as it is expected that you will spend time on it, not leaving it to the night before! Revise throughout the course be prepared for your mock exams, as when you come to the real exams you are not revising things for the first time. Do not book holidays or long weekends away during the course, the work you miss will not be covered again later in the course. You must catch up all work missed if absent. Organise social events for weekends, ideally Friday or Saturday night! Your own material: You should organise all your Psychology notes and handouts. Tick the box if you do the essentials below, if you don t you should!! : 1. Have a Psychology folder 2. Keep your notes in the order done in class 3. Date or number your pages 4. Hole punch lesson handouts and place in the correct place 5. Use subject dividers for topics within a module 6. Have a section for exam hints : incl. your practice answers exemplar answers exam structure info essay technique material 10
Understanding IB Course Components 11
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Where do I get help? The majority of students studying IB Psychology are new to it and really enjoy the new ideas the subject gives them. Because Psychology is new to you it can take a bit of time to get used to the subject so don't panic if you find it difficult at times, especially in the first term! There are many ways to get help in psychology ranging from asking your teacher to visiting the shops or surfing on-line. Your teacher The library The internet during the lesson arrange an appointment outside of the lesson within Psychology room 1107 there are many helpful textbooks and articles. The school library contains a Psychology section as well as many relevant books in other sections see the list below for good sites Revision Books available to buy from most bookshops, eg, or Amazon or play.com 14
Useful Books Knowledge: Any AS and A' Level Psychology textbook will help if you look under the correct chapter. Useful textbooks include: Psychology for AS Level. M. Eysenck and C. Flanagan. Psychology for A Level. M. Eysenck and C. Flanagan. Psycholgy. A New Introduction.R.Gross and R.McIlveen. Psychology. The Science of Mind and Behaviour. R. Gross. Psychology for AS and A Level. M. Cardwell et al Revision Guides, including essay practice and skills: AS Level Psychology through Diagrams. Grahame Hill. Oxford Revision Guide. ISBN 0-19-832833 B. A Level Study Guide (AS and A in one book). M. Cardwell, A Wadeley and M. Murphy. Revision Express. Revise Psychology for AS Level. Brody & Dwyer. Psychology Press Do Brilliantly AS Psychology. Collins Do Brilliantly A2 Psychology. M. Cardwell and C. Flanagan. Collins Useful Psychological Dictionaries include: The Penguin Dictionary of Psychology. A. Reber. AS/A Level Psychology Essential Word Dictionary. C. Flanagan. The Complete A-Z Psychology Handbook. M. Cardwell. 15
Useful Websites Most of these sites have relevant links so be prepared to explore. There is a lot of good material appearing on the net but beware of sites aimed at degree level and above. Do not be put off if you find yourself face to face with Sigmund Freud s own work on the screen - move onto a more student friendly page!! www.s-cool.co.uk (excellent for revision and essay practice) www.bps.org.uk (British Psychological Society homepage) www.hartland64.freeserve.co.uk - good for essay plans www.a-levelpsychology.co.uk http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/ http://psychology.about.com www.homeoffice.guv.uk/animact/aspag.htm www.mentalhealth.com www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/perscontents.html www.personalityresearch.org www.allthetests.com/intelligence.php3 www.medialit.org/violence/indexviol.htm Useful Websites I have found: 16
What are the Examiners looking for? There are two different assessment objectives that your work will be graded on when doing Psychology. These are: AO1: an examination of your psychological knowledge and understanding AO2: an examination of your skills of identification, analysis, interpretation and evaluation How to gain marks for AO1 knowledge & understanding use some psychologists names to support arguments use psychological concepts in your answers include psychological theories to help develop answers provide details about psychological findings be precise and use statistics and dates, small quotes How to gain marks for AO2 - skills keep going back to the question use the words from it in your answer structure your work plan it first and include a conclusion use trigger terms such as however, a contrasting view, in comparison, so that the examiner can see that you are evaluating use a variety of different perspectives and arguments. use methods to discuss strengths and weaknesses 17
Psychology at University Like many other subjects you will be able to gain entry onto a university degree course with a good pass in the subject. If you are not a grade '7' Psychology student, don't let that stop you applying - you can get onto a good course if you are working towards a '6', and some institutions will occasionally take you with a grade '5'! As a rough guide these are the types of universities you can go to depending on the grades you get. These vary every year and you must consult the university websites/prospectus to make sure you are applying for universities that require your grades. 38 + - Cambridge 38 + Leeds Oxford Nottingham York Sheffield 36 + - Bath 32 + - Bradford Surrey Huddersfield Manchester Met There are a number of ways you can study psychology at university Psychology can be taken as a single honours degree, i.e., you are purely a psychologist. Take a degree in Social Science or Social Studies. You will study Psychology in addition to other Social Science subjects - usually including Sociology, Politics, Law and Economics. Take a joint honours or combined studies degree. With this option you are able to specialise in more than one subject. Other subjects that have good connections to Psychology are: other Social Sciences, Biology and Business. However, if you are thinking of continuing to work in psychology after your degree (e.g.: training to become a Clinical or Educational Psychologist), you need to check that the British Psychological Society accredits the course you are applying for. Check their website for more details.www.bps.org.uk 18
Psychology and Careers Students who have found Psychology to be their favourite course at the IB level are sometimes unsure whether or not to take a degree in the subject as they are not sure what type of employment they can enter. Apart from careers directly involved in psychology such as mental health work, including Clinical Psychology and education, such as Educational Psychologists there are other careers in which knowledge of psychology would be relevant Social Work Police Opinion Polling Do any of these sound good to you? Marketing!"#$%&' Local Government Personnel Training Probation Service Teaching Journalism Media production Market Research Community Work Business Youth work Advertising Race relations Legal work These are just a few of the careers a Psychology graduate could enter - so, if your intended career is not listed but you are tempted with gaining a psychology degree, speak to your teacher about it. 19