Oxford IB Diploma Programme: Psychology Course Companion

I was very fond of the earlier edition of the curriculum book through Oxford and have it with me all the time. I was very excited to see there was an updated version to go with the new curriculum. The book is very well presented in the new format and seems to be very straight forward with the material and the expectations held by IB. I like how it is set up and think it will make covering the material much more organized for both the teacher and the students.

• Unit 1 Research methodologyResearch in psychologyQuantitative research: the experimentQuantitative research: correlational studiesQualitative researchQualitative research methodsEthics in psychological researchUnit 2 Biological approach to behaviourLocalizationNeuroplasticityNeurotransmitters and behaviourTechniques used to study the brain in relation to behaviourHormones and behaviourPheromones and behaviourGenes and behaviour; genetic similaritiesEvolutionary explanations for behaviourThe role of animal research in understanding human behaviour (HL only)Unit 3 Cognitive approach to behaviourConcepts and principles of the cognitive approach to behaviourModels of memorySchema theoryThinking and decision-makingReliability of cognitive processes: reconstructive memoryBiases in thinking and decision-makingEmotion and cognitionCognitive processing in the digital world (HL only)Unit 4 Sociocultural approach to behaviourCultural influences on individual attitudes, identities and behaviours - culture and cultural normsCultural origins of behaviour and cognition - cultural dimensionsThe individual and the group - social cognitive theoryThe individual and the group - social identity theory and stereotypingThe influence of globalization on individual behaviourUnit 5 Abnormal psychologyNormality versus abnormalityClassification systemsPrevalence rates and disordersValidity and reliability of diagnosisThe role of clinical biases in diagnosisExplanations for disorders - biological explanations for depressionExplanations for disorders - cognitive and sociocultural explanations for depressionAssessing the effectiveness of treatmentBiological treatment of depressionPsychological treatment of depressionThe role of culture in treatmentUnit 6 Health psychologyDeterminants of healthHealth problem 1: obesity and being overweightSocial cognitive explanations of health problemsPromoting healthHealth problem 2: stressUnit 7 Psychology of human relationshipsPersonal relationshipsGroup dynamicsPrejudice and discriminationOrigins of conflict and conflict resolutionSocial responsibilityUnit 8 Developmental psychologyBrain developmentCognitive developmentDevelopment of empathy and theory of mindGender identity and social rolesAttachmentRole of peers and playChildhood trauma and resilienceEffects of poverty on relationshipsUnit 9 Internal assessmentOverview of the requirements for internal assessmentPlanning the investigationWriting the introductionWriting the explorationConducting the analysisWriting the evaluationReferences and appendicesUnit 10 The IB curriculum: a conceptual modelExamination requirementsThe extended essayOther resources