Paper 1 A Answer all three SAQs One hour App.. 250 words
Paper 1B Choose one of the three
essays One hour App.. 800 words
Paper 2 SL Choose one essay from
three possibilities for each option
Paper 2 HL Choose two essays, each
from different options
Students will be expected to demonstrate the following:
1 Knowledge and comprehension of:A specific contentB key terms and conceptsC psychological research methodsD a range of appropriately identified
psychological theories and research studiesE the biological, cognitive and sociocultural level
of analysisF one option (SL) and two options (HL)
2. Application and analysisA demonstrate an ability to use examples of psychological
research and psychological concepts to formulate an argument in response to a specific question
3 Synthesis and evaluationA evaluate psychological theories and empirical studiesB discuss how biological, cognitive and sociocultural level of
analysis can be used to explain behaviourC evaluate research methods used to investigate behaviour
4 Selection and use of skills appropriate to psychologyA write an organized response
Have a look at the assessment details for paper 1 B and paper 2 (SL + HL)
A: knowledge and comprehension Total of 9 marksB: Evidence of critical thinking: application,
analysis, synthesis, evaluationTotal of 9 marksC: OrganizationTotal of 4 marks
The Introduction: introduce the essay question and your line of argument
The main body: present information in a clear and logical manner – build an answer to the essay question
Each paragraph should contain an argument and include relevant knowledge to support it (maybe also counter-argument)
The conclusion: relate directly to the question raised – your ultimate answer based on your argument
Read the essay question very carefully
Identify command terms and content (what are you suppose to do and with what?)
Make an outline (e.g. mind-map) – spend ten minutes planning – and you will have 50 minutes to write and check your answer
Focus on the questionClear structureApply critical thinking skillsYou have to argue! ( persuasion)Write for an audienceYour job is to convince by solid arguments and
evidenceDon’t let the reader be left to guess!
Discuss the use of one research method (e.g. experiments, case studies) in the cognitive level of analysis. Use relevant research studies in your response. [22 marks]
Now, with eight steps, create an outline1.Step one: identify command terms2.Step two: identify content3.Step three: find one relevant research study4.Step four: what argument?5.Step five: consider the argument6.Step six: make an outline7.Step seven: write according to your outline8.Step eight: read through your essay
1. identify command terms: discuss2. identify content: one research method is the experimental
method3. find one relevant research study: Loftus and Palmer (1974) on the
role of leading questions on recall (memory)4. what argument? 1. Why the experimental method is used in the
cognitive level of analysis 2. possible reasons for using it in Loftus and Palmer 3. Was it a good choice - evaluation
5. consider the argument: could other methods be used instead? And why do they use the experimental method?
6. make an outline: structure of your essay7. write according to your outline8. read through your essay
Introduction: explain why the experimental method is used in the cognitive level of analysis and how this is illustrated in Loftus and palmer (1974)
Paragraph 1: The cognitive level of analysis – discuss why the experimental method is used in some studies
Paragraph 2: characteristics of the experimental method, including strengths and limitations
Paragraph 3: why the experimental method was used in Loftus and Palmer (1974) rather than another method
Paragraph 4: Briefly describe the study, focusing on the experimental features to justify the use of the experiment
Paragraph 5: evaluationConclusion: how the experimental method has proved
useful in research studies on memory, but it is important to be aware of the limitations of the method, especially when generalizing to real-life memory