1. Course Description And Assessment Information
IB Psychology
Course Description
And Assessment Information

2. What is Psychology?
Psychology is the systematic study of behavior and experience
Involves a combination of philosophy, experimental research, culture, social conditions and ethics
Rapid globalization and the use of technology calls for insight into how individuals interpret meanings, relationships and health, across societies and cultures

3. Course Overview
IB Psychology at Algonac High School will be taught at the Standard Level
The course is a two-year course taken during the junior and senior year
The required units of study include:
The biological level of analysis
The cognitive level of analysis
The sociocultural level analysis
Approximately 170 teaching hours
The 4th unit of study (chosen by teacher) will be:
Abnormal Psychology
Approximately 40 teaching hours

4. As an IB student, you will be held to certain expectations:
This course requires students who fit the IB learner profile. Attributes of a successful IB student include:
Curiosity
Knowledge of their discipline
Critical thinkers
Communicators
Honest
Open-minded about other cultures

5. Psychology is a Group 3 subject
The aim of group 3 subjects is to
Encourage study of human experience and behavior, economic and social environments
Identify, analyze and evaluate theories, concepts and arguments
Develop awareness in students that human attitudes and beliefs are widely diverse
Recognize that the knowledge and methodology of psychology is contestable and uncertain

6. Aims of IB Psychology
Develop an awareness of how psychological research can be applied for the benefits of human beings
Ensure that ethical practices are upheld in psychological inquiry
Develop an understanding of biological, cognitive and sociocultural influences on human behavior
Develop an understanding of alternative explanations of behavior
Understand and use diverse methods of psychological inquiry

7. Assessment Objectives
1. Knowledge and comprehension of specified content (30%)
2. Application and analysis (25%)
3. Synthesis and Evaluation (15%)
4. Selection and use of skills appropriate to psychology (30%)

8. Knowledge and Comprehension
Define
Describe
Outline
State

9. Application and interpretation
Analyze
Appy
Distinguish
Explain
Justify

10. Synthesis and Evaluation
Compare
Contrast
Discuss
Evaluate
Examine
To what extent

11. Internal Assessment
Internal assessment: enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge in psychology.
Will spend approximately 15 hours repeating a simple experiment already conducted by psychologists
Counts as 25% of the overall assessment score
Can earn up to 20 points (marks)
A written report will be created including title page, abstract, intro, method, results, discussion, references and appendices. This report is submitted to the IB for grading
Will be due in December, year 2 of the course

12. External Assessment- Paper I
The External Assessment is given in May of the 2nd year of the course
Consists of 2 parts: Paper I and Paper II
Paper I:
Timed (2 hours)
Section A= 3 short-answer questions, one from each of the compulsory perspective
Section B= 3 extended-response questions, students choose 1 to answer
Paper 1 is 50% of the overall IB grade
Can earn up to 46 points (marks)

13. External Assessment- Paper II
Timed (1 hour)
Consists of 15 questions on the five OPTIONS, three on each option
Students choose one question to answer in essay form
Paper II is 25% of the overall IB grade
Can earn up to 20 points (marks)

14. Expectations of YOU
READING- the study of psychology is based upon studies and experiments. You will need to become familiar with case studies, research methodologies and analysis.
NOTES- you will take class notes EVERY DAY in class
PARTICIPATION- group/class discussions are an integral part of the study of psychology