Complete Guide to IB Psychology: Structure, Skills & Assessment for SL and HL

What Is IB Psychology?

IB Psychology is part of Group 3—Individuals and Societies—in the IB Diploma Programme. It presents the scientific study of behavior and mental processes by integrating:

• Biological Perspective: How physiological processes (brain, hormones, genetics) affect behavior
• Cognitive Perspective: What mental processes (memory, perception) contribute to thought and action
• Sociocultural Perspective: How culture, society, and social norms shape behavior
• Research Methods: How scientists design experiments, analyze data, and consider ethics

The course combines theory with practical research skills, preparing students for fields such as psychology, education, health sciences, sociology, and beyond.

Course Structure and Content

• Levels Available
  • Standard Level (SL): 150 teaching hours
  • Higher Level (HL): 240 teaching hours
• Core Topics (SL & HL)
  • Biological Approach: brain localization, neurotransmitters, hormones, genetics, animal studies
  • Cognitive Approach: memory models, cognitive biases, language, decision-making
  • Sociocultural Approach: social identity, stereotypes, conformity, cultural influence
  • Research Methods: quantitative and qualitative methods, ethics, reliability and validity
• Options
  • SL students choose one option topic
  • HL students study two option topics
  • Options include:
    • Abnormal Psychology
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Health Psychology
    • Psychology of Human Relationships
• Internal Assessment (IA)
  • Students design and conduct an experiment (~1,800–2,200 words)
  • Contributes 20% of the final grade

Assessment Overview

• Paper 1 (SL & HL)
  • Covers core approaches
  • Includes short-answer and essay questions
  • Duration: 2 hours
• Paper 2
  • SL: one essay on chosen option (1 hour)
  • HL: two essays on two options (2 hours)
• Paper 3 (HL only)
  • Focus on qualitative research methods
  • Based on an unseen research stimulus or case
  • Duration: 1 hour
• Internal Assessment
  • Experimental investigation designed and executed by the student
  • Assessed on method, ethics, data, analysis, and reflection

Key Skills Developed

IB Psychology fosters skills essential for academic and personal growth:

• Understanding, applying, and evaluating psychological theories
• Analyzing and critiquing research methodologies
• Designing and conducting ethical psychological studies
• Interpreting both quantitative data and qualitative findings
• Writing structured essays with clear argumentation
• Recognizing the impact of culture and ethics on research

These skills are highly transferable to university-level studies and careers in various fields.

SL vs HL: What’s the Difference?

• Teaching hours: HL requires about 90 more hours than SL
• Options: HL covers two option topics; SL covers one
• Assessment:
  • Only HL takes Paper 3
  • HL goes deeper into qualitative methods and more complex analysis
• Depth and breadth: HL demands more critical evaluation and synthesis

HL is ideal for students seeking greater academic challenge or considering psychology-related university degrees.

Integrated Approach

One of the core strengths of IB Psychology is its interdisciplinary nature:

• It weaves together biological, psychological, and social perspectives
• Students learn to compare and contrast different theoretical frameworks
• This holistic outlook prepares students for addressing complex, real-world issues

Ethics and Cultural Sensitivity

Ethical conduct is central to IB Psychology:

• Students must apply ethical guidelines in designed experiments
• Cultural context is emphasized in how behaviors and cognition vary across societies
• Understanding these factors is critical for accurate and responsible interpretation

How RevisionDojo Can Support Your IB Psychology Journey

Struggling to understand a concept? Want to polish your IA? RevisionDojo has you covered:

• Detailed topic breakdowns (core approaches, options, research methods)
• IA guidance: structure, reflective questions, marking criteria
• Sample essays for Paper 2 and HL Paper 3 practice
• Revision quizzes, flashcards, and structured summaries

Visit RevisionDojo.com today for high-quality tools and strategies that support your IB Psychology success.