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Learning outcomes guide teaching and learning. For teachers, they tell us what we need to teach. For students, they guide revision for the exams. While writing exam tips for IB Psychology, I found the IB’s learning objectives in the guide quite misleading in some ways (read more here). This is why I wrote my own. I’m posting here in case they’re helpful for you.
Biological Approach | |
| Psychological Terminology (Key Term) | Learning Outcome for Paper 1 Section A |
| Animal research and animal models | Explain how and why animal models are used in the study of human behaviour. (Explain ethical considerations in the use of animals in research.)* |
| Biological reductionism | Explain how and why biological reductionism is used in the biological approach to understanding human behaviour. |
| Brain imaging techniques | Explain how and why one brain imaging technique is used to study human behaviour. |
| Chemical messengers | Explain how and/or why one chemical messenger influences one human behaviour. |
| Diathesis-stress model | Explain the diathesis-stress model by explaining how one human behaviour is influenced by the interaction of genetics and environmental factors. |
| Genetic inheritance | Explain one example of how human behaviour might be inherited. |
| Neuroplasticity | Describe the process of neuroplasticity and how one environmental factor can influence brain development. |
| Neurotransmission | Describe the process of neurotransmission and how it can affect one human behaviour. |
| *According to the IB Psychology guide, ethical considerations in animal research will not be an exam question. It’s included here because it’s in the IB Psychology guide. | |
Cognitive Approach | |
| Psychological Terminology (Key Term) | Learning Outcomes for Paper 1 Section A |
| Anchoring bias | Explain the how anchoring bias can influence decision-making. |
| Classical conditioning | Explain the process of classical conditioning and how it can influence human behaviour. |
| Cognitive load theory | Describe cognitive load theory. Explain how cognitive load can influence one cognitive process. |
| Cognitive models | Describe one cognitive model. Explain how one model helps psychologists understand one cognitive process. |
| Confirmation bias | Explain how confirmation bias can influence decision-making. |
| Dual process theory | Describe dual processing theory. Explain how it helps psychologists understand decision-making. |
| Operant conditioning | Explain the process of operant conditioning and how it can influence behaviour. |
| Schema theory | Describe schema theory. Explain how schema can influence one cognitive process. |
Sociocultural Approach | |
| Psychological Terminology (Key Term) | Learning Outcome for Paper 1 Section A |
| Cognitive dissonance | Explain how cognitive dissonance can influence one human behaviour. |
| Compliance techniques | Explain how one compliance techniques can influence human behaviour. |
| Conformity | Explain why conformity happens and apply this explanation to one human behaviour. |
| Cultural dimensions | Explain how one cultural dimension influences behaviour. |
| Emic approach | Explain how and why psychologists might use an emic approach when studying human behaviour. |
| Etic approach | Explain how and why psychologists might use an etic approach when studying human behaviour. |
| Enculturation | Explain the process of enculturation and how it influences one behaviour. |
| Models of acculturation | Describe one model of acculturation. Explain how different acculturation strategies can influence one behaviour. |
| Social identity theory | Describe social identity theory and use it to explain one human behaviour |
| Social learning theory | Describe social learning theory and use it to explain one human behaviour. |
Travis Dixon is an IB Psychology teacher, author, workshop leader, examiner and IA moderator.