IB Psychology Exam Study Guide December 2013
Your semester 1 exam will consist of 3 SAQs and 1 essay
Essentially, at this point, you only need to review 7 learning outcomes.
We will complete the biological level of analysis by the end of January and you will then
be tested on the whole unit (Unit tests consist of 1 SAQ and 1 essay)
Command terms
Outline
Give a brief account or summary.
Explain
Give a detailed account including reasons or causes.
Discuss
Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of
arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or conclusions should be
presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.
General learning outcomes
Short answer question (this one combines 2 learning outcomes)
Outline one principle that defines the biological level of analysis.
With reference to one study, explain how that principle may be demonstrated in research.
Principle
Correlate
Research
There are biological
Localization of function
Maguire and the
correlates of behavior
hippocampus
The role of neurotransmitters
The role of hormones
Principle
Understanding Behavior
Research
Animal research can
Enriched environments improve
Rosenzweig
inform our
memory
understanding of
behavior
‘Pitfalls’ of the question
Often candidates do not explain how this principle is demonstrated in the particular study. Too
often, the focus of the answer is on the description of the study without explicitly addressing the
question. Some candidates confuse principles with theories.
Physiology and behaviour
Short answer questions
Explain one study related to localization of function in the brain.
What to do with this question
Studies which could be used include, but are not limited to:
 Any study on Wernicke’s area
 Any study on Broca’s area
 Maguire
More recent research is also relevant e.g. research using brain scanning.
Responses meriting the award of marks in the top bands should clearly explain a relevant
study. Explain the aim, method and findings. Your explanation must display clear
understanding of, and support for, localization of function through the chosen study.
Phineas Gage should not be used because it is an incomplete study, it is not recent, and
most of the conclusions drawn were speculative. It’s relevant but it is difficult to score highly
on it.
Responses should address just one study, and where more than one study is presented no
further marks should be awarded.
Using one or more examples, explain effects of neurotransmission on human behaviour
Neurotransmitter
Behavior
Evidence (from studies)
Dopamine
Serotonin
Acetylcholine
Using one or more examples, explain functions of two hormones in human behaviour.
Hormone
Behavior
Evidence (from studies)
‘Pitfalls’
If you use the Schachter & Singer (1962) study, be careful not to argue that this was a study of
the effects of adrenaline. This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the aim of the study.
Essay 1
Discuss two effects of the environment on physiological processes
Effect 1 – Neuroplasticity
Environment
Physiological
Evidence (from studies)
processes
Enriched
Thickening of

Rosenzweig
environment in
dendritic

Any brief overview of a study from
the context of
connections
http://www.biopsychology.com/6e/step1703.
varied activities
html

Environment
Larger
requiring
posterior
spatial
hippocampus
navigation
(therefore more
skills
dendritic

Maguire
o
Behavior is memory
connections in
that area)
Effect 2 – levels of melatonin
Environment
Physiological
Evidence (from studies on SAD)
processes
Levels of light
Melatonin

Rosenthal
secretion

Gooley
Essay 2
Discuss the use of brain imaging technologies (for example, CAT, PET, fMRI) in
investigating the relationship between biological factors and behaviour.
An essay could discuss between 2 or 3 brain imaging technologies.
At this stage, discussing 2 is fine
Imaging type

Name -

How it works -
Study 1
Biological factor
Behavior
(aim, findings,
significance)
Study 2
Biological factor
Behavior
(aim, findings,
significance)
Strengths
Limitations
Imaging type

Name -

How it works -
Study 1
Biological factor
Behavior
(aim, findings,
significance)
Study 2
Biological factor
Behavior
(aim, findings,
significance)
Strengths
Limitations