Psychology is the systematic study of
behavior and experience
 Involves a combination of philosophy,
experimental research, culture, social
conditions and ethics
 Rapid globalization and the use of
technology calls for insight into how
individuals interpret meanings,
relationships and health, across societies
and cultures
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IB Psychology at Algonac High School will be
taught at the Standard Level
The course is a two-year course taken during
the junior and senior year
The required units of study include:
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The biological level of analysis
The cognitive level of analysis
The sociocultural level analysis
Approximately 170 teaching hours
The 4th unit of study (chosen by teacher) will
be:
› Abnormal Psychology
› Approximately 40 teaching hours
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This course requires students who fit the IB
learner profile. Attributes of a successful
IB student include:
› Curiosity
› Knowledge of their discipline
› Critical thinkers
› Communicators
› Honest
› Open-minded about other cultures
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The aim of group 3
subjects is to
› Encourage study of human
experience and behavior,
economic and social
environments
› Identify, analyze and
evaluate theories, concepts
and arguments
› Develop awareness in
students that human
attitudes and beliefs are
widely diverse
› Recognize that the
knowledge and
methodology of psychology
is contestable and
uncertain
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Develop an awareness of how psychological
research can be applied for the benefits of
human beings
Ensure that ethical practices are upheld in
psychological inquiry
Develop an understanding of biological,
cognitive and sociocultural influences on
human behavior
Develop an understanding of alternative
explanations of behavior
Understand and use diverse methods of
psychological inquiry
1. Knowledge and comprehension of
specified content (30%)
 2. Application and analysis (25%)
 3. Synthesis and Evaluation (15%)
 4. Selection and use of skills appropriate
to psychology (30%)
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Define
 Describe
 Outline
 State
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Analyze
 Appy
 Distinguish
 Explain
 Justify
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Compare
 Contrast
 Discuss
 Evaluate
 Examine
 To what extent
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Internal assessment: enables students to
demonstrate the application of their skills and
knowledge in psychology.
Will spend approximately 15 hours repeating a simple
experiment already conducted by psychologists
Counts as 25% of the overall assessment score
Can earn up to 20 points (marks)
A written report will be created including title page,
abstract, intro, method, results, discussion, references
and appendices. This report is submitted to the IB for
grading
Will be due in December, year 2 of the course
The External Assessment is given in May of
the 2nd year of the course
 Consists of 2 parts: Paper I and Paper II
 Paper I:
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› Timed (2 hours)
› Section A= 3 short-answer questions, one from
each of the compulsory perspective
› Section B= 3 extended-response questions,
students choose 1 to answer
› Paper 1 is 50% of the overall IB grade
› Can earn up to 46 points (marks)
Timed (1 hour)
 Consists of 15 questions on the five
OPTIONS, three on each option
 Students choose one question to answer
in essay form
 Paper II is 25% of the overall IB grade
 Can earn up to 20 points (marks)
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READING- the study of psychology is
based upon studies and experiments.
You will need to become familiar with
case studies, research methodologies
and analysis.
 NOTES- you will take class notes EVERY
DAY in class
 PARTICIPATION- group/class discussions
are an integral part of the study of
psychology
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