What is Psychology?
The IB defines Psychology as, “the systematic study of the
mind and behaviour.” It is a social science, so the study is
scientific. Ideas and theories must be supported by
evidence from empirical studies.
What is an Extended Essay in
Psychology?
• An Extended Essay in Psychology is:
• An opportunity to investigate an area within the field of psychology that is
based upon your personal interest, and which may well go beyond the
Diploma Programme psychology course.
• The active pursuit of a research question that will develop your analytical
and communication skills, and your understanding of behaviour.
• Psychology extended essays must be supported with careful and
appropriate citation of relevant theories and/or studies within
psychology. This implies that the best resources are academic and
psychological research journals and texts.
• Extended Essays in Psychology are an evaluation of existing
psychological research on the topic you have chosen. You answer
your research question by researching, reading and analysing
critically and evaluating the findings of existing research.
What an Extended Essay in Psychology
Is not
• Psychology is not a “residual”, catch-all category for essays which do not fit
into any other subject. That’s why it is essential to choose your subject
first, then your topic and research question.
• There is no place for your personal data collection, experiments, surveys,
observations and case studies. Your essay is an investigative, analytical
argument, not a research hypothesis to be uncovered by use of research
methods.
• You are analysing and evaluating existing empirical research, not
conducting your own research.
• Psychology is not about common sense! It is the scientific study of the
human & animal mind and behaviour. Popular psychology and self-help
have no place in your essay.
• It is not what your family or your teacher want to write about. It is what
you want to write about!
Your topic
• Choose something you are really interested in. If you are not absolutely
fascinated by the topic of stress among IB Diploma candidates now, I can
promise you, you will not be fascinated by it in June and July next year
when you are writing your first full draft.
• Even topics that examiners warn against because they are so popular, such
as eating disorders and depression, can make excellent essays if you
compose a tightly worded and focused research question.
• Choose a topic that can be broken down easily into sections, so that the
essay structures itself.
• You do not have to phrase your research question as a question, but it will
help you if you do.
• Use words and phrases such as: “to what extent,” ‘how”, “why”.
Remember, you are analysing, not simply describing.
Goals of a successful Psychology Essay
• To focus on a narrow, tightly worded and focused
research question that can be answered by
evaluating existing empirical evidence.
• To focus on a question that can be answered in
4000 words.
• To demonstrate your understanding and use of
psychological theories, concepts and models.
• To demonstrate your command of the language
of psychology.
Examples
• How has westernization influenced the incidences of eating disorders,
especially anorexia nervosa in South Africa among black adolescent
females?
• This research question is tightly worded and focused. The structure of the
essay is clear:
• What is westernization?
• What is the significance of westernization in the context of South Africa?
• How has westernization manifested itself in South Africa?
• What are eating disorders?
• What is anorexia nervosa?
• What were the incidences of anorexia nervosa in South Africa among
black adolescent females before westernization?
• What are the incidences in response to westernization?
• Conclusion. This essay gained an A grade.
Examples
• How and to what extent can psychological theories of identity, social
representation and stereotyping account for the breakdown in
relationships between characters and the conclusion of the novel in
Golding’s Lord of the Flies?
• To what extent can the experience of being a third culture kid between the
ages of 8 and 16 increase empathy for others and thus lessen stereotyping
and prejudice?
• To what extent can an understanding of the psychological basis of
stereotyping and the formation of prejudice contribute to a reduction in
prejudice and the practice of discrimination?
• What role does team cohesion play in athletic success?
• Why do athletes use performance enhancing substances and to what
extent can the effects they seek be gained by legal means?
• To what extent and how can the symptoms of Asperger’s Syndrome prove
advantageous to sufferers?
Structuring your Essay
• The introduction must include your research
question, an explanation of your personal interest
in this topic and an indication of why this is a
question worthy of serious attention. (Interest is
not the same as personal experience or views,
although it may draw on personal
experience.)You should also place your research
question within the context of existing knowledge
and understanding of the topic. If there is little
research or understanding say so: your essay may
be major new contribution to research on this
subject.
Your investigation
• The essay should present findings and theories from sources in an
evaluative context and students should not necessarily accept their
findings at face value. A healthy and informed scepticism should be
maintained towards material from film, television, radio, newspapers and
internet-based sources, until authoritative judgment allows their findings
or theories to become accepted. Although the argument presented in the
essay may be supported by the student’s own observations, the
presentation or analysis of such material should be used for illustrative
purposes only and should form no more than a very minor part of the
evidence used.
• Remember to take into account methodological considerations when you
evaluate findings: ethical issues, choice of research method, sampling
issues, cultural issues, gender, class etc.
Reasoned Argument
.
•Reasoned argument
•The research question should be the central focus of the argument as it is developed throughout the essay. As
the argument is constructed, it often creates conflict between varying theories and findings from studies. You
should explain and analyse these different views and marshal those essential points that support the argument
that is being advanced.
•It is your task to persuade the reader of the reasons for, and validity of your view. This is best accomplished by
using a logical approach where successive salient points are built up, one upon the other.
• Application of analytical and evaluative skills appropriate to the subject Demanding cognitive effort is
needed to apply analytical and evaluative factors created by you. The analysis and evaluation need to be
covered in depth since these will lead to the crux of the argument. There is also an opportunity you to use
reflexivity—a consideration of your own experiences and views that have contributed to the methods used in
the investigation and the interpretation of points that have arisen.
•Conclusion The conclusion is a synthesis of the argument that has preceded it. It is the end point of a logical
process that has been established by employing a succession of psychological studies and theories to justify the
case that has been presented.
What should I do now?
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I know I want to write my essay in Psychology, but I don’t have a clue about
the topic, let alone a research question..
Read through your course companion & the Pearson Baccalaureate text book.
There are examples of Extended Essay topics that may well interest you, or
you may discover something that catches your interest in the options
chapters.
There are Psychology journals in the library.
There are examples of excellent Extended Essays in the library and on my
website. Read through for ideas and inspiration.
See Ms. Won or me for some advice.
I know my topic, but I need help with narrowing it down to a research
question.
Go to see Ms. Won or come to see me for some help with this. Read through
the assessment criteria in your EE booklet and the Guide to the EE First
Examinations 2013, on my website, to gain a sense of how answering your
question can be organized into an essay that will gain high marks.
I have my research question already
and I am happy with it.
• Excellent! Make sure you show it to your teacher
in that subject, then complete the form in your
booklet and hand in to the tray in Ms. Mortimer’s
Office. Turn in your choice of subject, topic and
research question to Turnitin.com.
• Then I can match you with a supervisor.
• Deadline 22nd November, but if you are ready
now. Go for it! The sooner you begin, the better…
• Good Luck!!
Important Dates
• IB Contract will be posted home during the week of 17th October. Please
read, discuss with your parents/guardians and sign.
• Return to Ms. Mortimer by Tuesday 1st November.
• Extended Essay. Subject, working topic, research question due 22nd
November, copy to Ms. Mortimer’s Office. Submit to Turnitin.com. Use the
form in your Extended Essay booklet.
• More presentations on Wednesday 26th October, 2nd November, 9th
November. You are all invited, but may choose not to attend if the subject
is not relevant to you.
• Extra copies of Extended Essay booklet on my website.
• Guide to Extended Essay 2013, on my website.
• Not sure what to do, totally clueless and overwhelmed…, see me!