GCSE Psychology gives you a fascinating introduction to human behaviour — how we think, learn, remember, and interact. But in IB Psychology, you’ll take that curiosity further. The IB course focuses on understanding research, evaluating theories, and designing investigations that explore why people behave the way they do.
If you’re moving from GCSE to IB, your revision approach should evolve — from learning studies and definitions to analysing methods and evaluating evidence. Here’s how to revise GCSE Psychology in a way that builds a foundation for IB-level experimental and critical thinking.
Quick Start Revision Checklist
- Revise key studies and what they demonstrate.
- Understand research methods and ethical principles.
- Learn to explain psychological theories clearly.
- Practise evaluating strengths and weaknesses of studies.
- Link psychology to real-world applications.
- Reflect critically on human behaviour and scientific inquiry.
Step 1: Organise Topics by Psychological Approach
GCSE Psychology introduces multiple perspectives on behaviour — the same ones expanded in IB. Revise each with clarity and structure:
1. Cognitive approach: memory, perception, attention, decision-making.
2. Biological approach: brain structure, hormones, genetics.
3. Behaviourist approach: conditioning, learning through association.
4. Social approach: conformity, obedience, prejudice.
5. Developmental approach: attachment, adolescence, moral growth.
For each, summarise:
- Key concepts or processes.
- Major studies and their findings.
- Evaluation (strengths, weaknesses, applications).
This mirrors IB’s Paper 1 structure, where you’ll use specific studies to explain psychological concepts.
Step 2: Focus on Research Methods
Understanding how psychologists study behaviour is central to both GCSE and IB success.
Revise:
- Experiments: laboratory, field, and natural.
- Variables: independent, dependent, control.
- Sampling methods: random, opportunity, stratified.
- Data: qualitative vs. quantitative.
- Validity and reliability: consistency and accuracy of findings.
IB Psychology’s Internal Assessment (IA) requires you to replicate an experiment, so developing strong research literacy now is a huge advantage.
When revising, practise identifying:
- Which method was used.
- Why it was chosen.
- What its limitations are (e.g., artificial setting, ethical issues).
Step 3: Understand Key Studies Deeply, Not Just by Name
GCSE exams often ask you to describe or explain findings. For IB, you’ll need to evaluate.
Take each key study and ask:
- What was the aim?
- How was it conducted?
- What were the results?
- What are its strengths and weaknesses?
Example:
- Loftus and Palmer (1974) — Memory reconstruction through leading questions.
- Strengths: controlled variables, quantitative data.
- Weaknesses: lacks ecological validity, artificial task.
- Applications: eyewitness testimony and legal settings.
Analysing this way prepares you for IB’s emphasis on method and application — not just recall.
Step 4: Connect Theory to Real-World Applications
Psychology matters because it explains real life. For every topic, link theory to context:
- Memory → how advertising or revision techniques work.
- Social influence → peer pressure and group behaviour.
- Biological psychology → brain injuries and decision-making.
- Development → child attachment and classroom behaviour.
IB essays require applied understanding, so practice explaining how findings are useful.
For example, Milgram’s obedience study isn’t just about authority — it helps explain why people follow orders in organisational or political settings.
Step 5: Evaluate, Don’t Just Describe
Evaluation is where GCSE revision becomes IB preparation.
Every study, theory, or method has strengths and weaknesses.
Use the G.R.A.V.E. acronym to structure evaluations:
- Generalisability — Was the sample representative?
- Reliability — Could it be replicated?
- Application — Is it useful in real life?
- Validity — Does it measure what it claims to?
- Ethics — Was it morally acceptable?
Applying this framework to every study builds the habit of critical evaluation — the most important IB Psychology skill.
Step 6: Explore the Biological Level of Analysis
IB Psychology gives major focus to biological explanations of behaviour. Strengthen your GCSE understanding now:
- Brain areas — frontal lobe (decision-making), amygdala (emotion).
- Neurotransmitters — serotonin, dopamine.
- Hormones — cortisol, oxytocin, adrenaline.
- Genetics and evolution — inherited traits and twin studies.
In IB, you’ll connect these to specific behaviours (e.g., aggression, stress, emotion regulation).
The more familiar you are with biological foundations, the easier this transition will be.
Step 7: Build Experimental and Statistical Thinking
At GCSE, you analyse basic data; in IB, you’ll design and interpret experiments.
Start now by revising:
- Hypothesis writing: clear, testable predictions.
- Data handling: calculating mean, range, and standard deviation.
- Graphs: scatter plots, bar charts, histograms.
- Statistical reasoning: identifying patterns and outliers.
IB expects you to justify results with reasoning — not just describe them.
Ask: What do these results show? Why might they differ from expectations?
Step 8: Practise Essay and Short Answer Writing
IB Psychology requires strong written skills. Build structure now using GCSE essays:
- Introduction: define the concept or question.
- Main body: explain theory → support with study → evaluate.
- Conclusion: summarise argument and implications.
Example:
Question: Explain how memory can be affected by emotion.
Answer structure:
- Define emotion and memory interaction.
- Reference a supporting study (e.g., Brown & Kulik).
- Evaluate the study’s strengths/limitations.
- Conclude with why understanding this is important.
Practising this flow makes your IB essays clearer, logical, and evidence-driven.
Step 9: Link Psychology to Global and Ethical Perspectives
The IB encourages international-mindedness and ethical reflection.
As you revise, consider:
- How do cultural differences affect psychological research?
- How might findings differ across societies?
- What ethical questions arise from experimentation?
Example:
Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment reveals both cultural and ethical complexity — raising questions about human nature, power, and moral limits.
IB students are expected to reflect critically on such issues — start practising now.
Step 10: Reflect Like an IB Psychologist
After every topic or study, reflect:
- What does this tell me about human behaviour?
- How reliable or generalisable is this evidence?
- How could I design an experiment to test this myself?
Reflection transforms revision into inquiry — exactly what the IB promotes.
This habit will prepare you perfectly for your IB Internal Assessment (IA) and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) discussions.
Expert Tips for Psychology Students
- Summarise key studies on flashcards. Focus on aim, results, evaluation.
- Create flowcharts. Show how theory → experiment → result → evaluation connects.
- Revise with peers. Explaining studies aloud reinforces memory.
- Stay curious. Question everything you read — it’s the psychologist’s instinct.
- Reflect weekly. Ask how each theory applies to your world.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How can I remember so many studies?
Group them by topic and focus on purpose and finding, not just names. Create mnemonics for tricky ones.
2. How does GCSE Psychology prepare for IB?
It introduces experimental methods, theories, and evaluation — the IB builds on these with deeper scientific and ethical analysis.
3. What’s the hardest part of IB Psychology?
Balancing detail and evaluation — it’s not about memorisation, but understanding and critique.
4. How can I improve my evaluation skills?
Use G.R.A.V.E. consistently and practise writing evaluative sentences after every study.
5. How can I prepare for the IB Internal Assessment?
Start observing how experiments are structured — hypotheses, controls, variables — and think critically about their design.
Conclusion: Observe, Question, Analyse
Psychology is about curiosity — asking why people behave the way they do. GCSE gives you the building blocks; IB teaches you to question those blocks. When you reflect on evidence, evaluate studies, and connect ideas to real life, you’re already thinking like an IB psychologist.
Understanding people means understanding the complexity of research — its strengths, flaws, and endless questions. And that journey starts right now, with every experiment you review and every theory you challenge.
Call to Action
If you’re finishing GCSE Psychology and preparing for IB Psychology, RevisionDojo can help you build experimental thinking, analytical writing, and critical evaluation skills. Learn how to design, interpret, and reflect like an IB-level psychologist — curious, reflective, and precise.
