Course Description And Assessment Information IB Psychology Course Description And Assessment Information

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

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

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

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

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

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%)

Knowledge and Comprehension Define Describe Outline State

Application and interpretation Analyze Appy Distinguish Explain Justify

Synthesis and Evaluation Compare Contrast Discuss Evaluate Examine To what extent

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

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)

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)

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