IB Psychology flashcards

There is no fixed number, but having two to three strong, well-understood studies per topic gives you flexibility in the exam. Quality matters far more than quantity. It is better to know a handful of studies deeply, including their methodology, findings, and limitations, than to have a superficial knowledge of many. Make sure your studies are spread across the biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches as well as your chosen option.

Approximate figures are generally acceptable, and you will not lose marks for minor inaccuracies in statistics. However, knowing rough percentages or sample sizes does strengthen your evaluation. What matters most is that you can accurately describe what researchers did, what they found, and what this means. Researcher names and the general date of a study are worth knowing as they add credibility to your argument.

Psychology at IB level requires critical thinking, not just content recall. You are expected to evaluate studies by discussing their strengths and limitations, consider ethical implications, and compare different explanations for behaviour. Simply listing facts will not score highly. Examiners reward responses that construct a clear argument, use evidence selectively to support a point, and show awareness that psychological knowledge is contested and culturally situated.

Practise writing timed responses to past questions and then compare them against mark scheme descriptors to understand what higher-level answers look like. Focus on structuring each paragraph around one clear point, supported by a study and followed by evaluation. Ask your teacher for feedback on practice essays. Reading model answers can also help you internalise the style and depth expected, but always write your own versions rather than memorising pre-written responses.