Contexts· Health and well-being, human development, human relationships, learning and cognition · 4 subtopics
Research methodology· Methods, sampling, ethics, data analysis, the research proposal IA · 5 subtopics
Free lesson: Concepts
Concepts
Six lenses you use to think about any study
Content
Theories and studies from the biological, cognitive and sociocultural approaches
Contexts
Real-world areas where you apply the content
Concept
The question it asks
Example
Bias
What could distort the findings?
Participants behave differently because they know they are watched
Causality
Does X really cause Y?
A correlation between screen time and low mood does not show cause
Change
How does behaviour change over time or with experience?
Brain plasticity after learning a new skill
Measurement
Are we measuring what we claim to measure?
Self-report stress vs. cortisol levels
Perspective
How would another approach explain this?
Depression explained by neurotransmitters vs. thinking patterns vs. social factors
Responsibility
What do researchers owe participants and society?
Informed consent, debriefing, careful use of findings
Worked example
Turn one study into a concept-based paragraph (applying “measurement”).
Claim: stress studies often depend on how stress is measured.
Evidence: a study that only uses a questionnaire relies on what people choose to report.
Analysis: adding a physical measure such as cortisol gives a second, more objective source.
Link: so the validity of the conclusion depends on the measurement tools chosen.
Common mistakes
Describing a study in full detail with no link to a concept.
Treating correlation as proof of cause.
Naming a concept without explaining how it applies to the specific study.
Using material from the old core-and-options course without checking it fits the new structure.
Quick check
Participants act more politely because they know they are being observed. Which concept does this raise most directly?
Bias. Knowing they are observed distorts behaviour, which is a source of bias.
A study finds that people who sleep less get worse grades. What is the main limitation?
Causality. It is a correlation. Low grades could cause stress and poor sleep, or a third factor could explain both.
Comparing a biological and a cognitive explanation of the same behaviour uses which concept?
Perspective. Looking at an issue from different approaches is the concept of perspective.
Debriefing participants after a study relates to…
Responsibility. Researchers have ethical duties to participants, which is responsibility.
Practise this in the app. Interactive diagrams, quizzes, exam-style papers with mark schemes and a personal study planner. Open Psychology in FortyFive →
FAQ
What topics are in IB Psychology?
IB Psychology (SL / HL · first exams 2027) is organised into: Concepts; Content · Biological approach; Content · Cognitive approach; Content · Sociocultural approach; Contexts; Research methodology.
Are these IB Psychology notes free?
Yes. The topic pages, key terms and the first lesson are free. The full lessons, interactive diagrams and exam-style practice papers with mark schemes are in the FortyFive app, which you can start for free.