IB Theory of Knowledge Topic 1.1.3 How Groups Shape What We ‘know’ Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Theory of Knowledge Topic 1.1.3 How Groups Shape What We ‘know’ Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

Communities of Knowers Are Filters of Knowledge

Communities of knowers are groups that decide what counts as knowledge.
They control what gets created, what gets believed, and what gets ignored.
Think of them as filters that stand between raw information and accepted knowledge.

Tip

When you hear "people think," ask yourself:
- Which people?
- Why do they think that?
This stops you from making vague generalizations.

What Are Communities of Knowers?

These are groups that influence how knowledge gets made, tested, and spread.

They exist everywhere:
1. Scientific research teams studying climate change
2. Cultural groups preserving traditions
3. Wikipedia editors updating articles
4. Medical professionals setting treatment standards
5. Social media influencers shaping opinions

Example

TikTok creators discussing mental health form a community of knowers.
They decide what mental health advice gets millions of views and what gets ignored.
Their algorithms and engagement patterns filter knowledge for Gen Z.

Three Ways Communities Control Knowledge

From the moment someone asks a question to the moment that knowledge reaches your phone, communities are making decisions that determine what you get to know.
These decisions happen in three key stages, which show you how communities filter reality and why different groups can have such different versions of the "truth."

1. Knowledge Creation

Communities don't just discover knowledge sitting around waiting to be found, they actively decide what's worth investigating in the first place.
Think about it: there are infinite questions you could ask about the world but communities have limited time, money, and attention, so they have to choose.
These choices aren't neutral.

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Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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Communities of Knowers Are Filters of Knowledge

Communities of knowers are groups that decide what counts as knowledge.
They control what gets created, what gets believed, and what gets ignored.
Think of them as filters that stand between raw information and accepted knowledge.

Tip

When you hear "people think," ask yourself:
- Which people?
- Why do they think that?
This stops you from making vague generalizations.

What Are Communities of Knowers?

These are groups that influence how knowledge gets made, tested, and spread.

They exist everywhere:
1. Scientific research teams studying climate change
2. Cultural groups preserving traditions
3. Wikipedia editors updating articles
4. Medical professionals setting treatment standards
5. Social media influencers shaping opinions

Example

TikTok creators discussing mental health form a community of knowers.
They decide what mental health advice gets millions of views and what gets ignored.
Their algorithms and engagement patterns filter knowledge for Gen Z.

Three Ways Communities Control Knowledge

From the moment someone asks a question to the moment that knowledge reaches your phone, communities are making decisions that determine what you get to know.
These decisions happen in three key stages, which show you how communities filter reality and why different groups can have such different versions of the "truth."

1. Knowledge Creation

Communities don't just discover knowledge sitting around waiting to be found, they actively decide what's worth investigating in the first place.
Think about it: there are infinite questions you could ask about the world but communities have limited time, money, and attention, so they have to choose.
These choices aren't neutral.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

1. Core Theme: Knowledge and the Knower2 subtopics

2. Optional Themes5 subtopics

3. Areas of Knowledge5 subtopics

4. TOK Assessments2 subtopics

6. Nov 2026 TOK Titles7 subtopics

IB Theory of Knowledge 1.1.3 How Groups Shape What We ‘know’ Notes

1. Core Theme: Knowledge and the Knower2 subtopics

2. Optional Themes5 subtopics

3. Areas of Knowledge5 subtopics

4. TOK Assessments2 subtopics

6. Nov 2026 TOK Titles7 subtopics

Communities of Knowers Are Filters of Knowledge

What Are Communities of Knowers?

Three Ways Communities Control Knowledge

1. Knowledge Creation

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Communities of Knowers Are Filters of Knowledge

What Are Communities of Knowers?

Three Ways Communities Control Knowledge

1. Knowledge Creation

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account