Psychology

Course summary

Psychology is the systematic study of behaviour and mental processes. We examine the interaction of biological, cognitive and sociocultural influences on human behaviour. Pupils investigate these areas by learning a variety of research designs which they are asked to doggedly critique. By verifying whether theory is backed up by hard ‘scientific’ data, pupils can begin to collate evidence. The question we constantly visit in our lessons is: “Is Psychology a Science?.” We ask that pupils get involved actively in the classroom, debating and discerning information in order to understand and think critically. The best pupils have an interest in how their new knowledge might be applied to real world settings. Pupils are also asked to develop an understanding of ethical concerns raised by research; this encourages them to begin to reflect on how societies set limits for scientific inquiry. Contemporary topics range from the cognitive biases behind racism and stereotyping, the appropriateness of giving drugs to those with mental disorders and the influence of technology/the internet on cognition, attention and relationship formation. Whilst Psychology IB is placed in the humanities column in the IB, it requires scientific principles to be applied. It is worth noting that most Psychology degrees are Science qualifications (BSc). Pupils often find that they develop a greater understanding of themselves and those around them during their studies. By the end of the course, accomplished pupils will be able to give evidence to explain behaviour and may be able to recommend ways to use this information to affect change in modern society for the better.