International Baccalaureate Psychology
Mrs. McNamara, room 341
841-1613, cathryne.mcnamara@austinisd.org
Course Description
Psychology is the systematic study of behavior and mental processes. Psychology has its
roots in both the natural and social sciences, leading to a variety of research designs and
applications, and providing a unique approach to understanding modern society. IB
psychology examines the interaction of biological, cognitive and sociocultural influences
on human behavior, thereby adopting an integrative approach. Understanding how
psychological knowledge is generated, developed and applied enables students to
achieve a greater understanding of themselves and appreciate the diversity of human
behavior. The ethical concerns raised by the methodology and application of
psychological research are key considerations in IB psychology.
The aims of the psychology course at SL and at HL are to:
7. develop an awareness of how psychological research can be applied for the benefit of
human beings.
8. ensure that ethical practices are upheld in psychological inquiry.
9. develop an understanding of the biological, cognitive and sociocultural influences on
human behavior.
10. develop an understanding of alternative explanations of behavior.
11. understand and use diverse methods of psychological inquiry.
Course Materials
spiral for notes and folder to hold all loose handouts
Hockenbury and Hockenbury’s Discovering Psychology, Annenberg’s Film
Series Discovering Psychology with Philip Zimbardo
(http://www.learner.org/discoveringpsychology/index.html), Hockenbury
website (http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/hockenbury4e/default.asp),
Intelecom’s Inside Out: Introduction to Psychology
Class Assessment
6 weeks’ grade components: 2
essay and/or multiple choice exams
@ 60% total (30% each), with the
exception of the IA report, which
will replace exam grades; 1
project/presentation @ 10%; open
and closed-note quizzes @15%;
many daily grades— journals,
notes, exercises, in-class assignments
@ 15%
Other rules:
Plagiarism or cheating of any sort will not be tolerated; choosing to do so will result in
an automatic 0.
Missing work at the daily and major work level corresponding with an unexcused
absence will earn a grade of no higher than 69 as per school policy.
IB SL ASSESSMENT
Assessment component
Weighting
External assessment (3 hours)
75%
Paper 1 (2 hours)
50%
Section A: Three compulsory questions on part 1 of the syllabus—cognitive, biological, sociocultural.
Section B: Three questions on part 1 of the syllabus. Students choose one question to answer in essay form.
(46 marks)
Paper 2 (1 hour)
25%
Fifteen questions on part 2 of the syllabus—developmental, health, abnormal. Students choose one question to
answer in essay form.
(22 marks)
Internal assessment
25%
A report of a simple experimental study conducted by the student.
(20 marks)
2-4%
8-10%
7-9%
6-8%
2-4%
7-9%
8-10%
6-8%
8-10%
5-7%
5-7%
7-9%
5-7%
8-10%
history and approaches
research methods
biological bases of behavior
sensation and perception
states of consciousness
learning
cognition
motivation, emotion and stress
developmental psychology
personality
testing and individual differences
abnormal psychology
treatment of psychological disorders
social psychology
AP Exam 100 multiple
choice in 70 min. and 2
free response essays in
45 min.