IB Psychology/Levels of Analysis

The Levels of Analysis, often abbreviated to LOA, are the various ways of observation in psychology. The three LOAs are biological, cognitive, and sociocultural. Biological is observing the physical aspects of the brain, such as physiology and chemicals. Cognitive is focused on studying certain brain functions in relation to cognition, such as investigating memory and cognitive processes. Finally, sociocultural is how the environment and the influences of other people interact to affect behaviour, such as conformity and compliance. These aspects are important because together they provide more complete and satisfactory explanations of behaviour, and they reflect a modern trend in psychology towards integration.

=Levels of Analysis=

Biological Level

 * General Learning Outcomes
 * GLO1: Outline principles that define the biological level of analysis.
 * GLO2: Explain how principles that define the biological level of analysis may be demonstrated in research.
 * GLO3: Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the biological level of analysis.
 * GLO4: Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the biological level of analysis.
 * Physiology and Behaviour
 * PB1: Explain localisation using a key study as an example.
 * PB2: Explain one study related to localisation of function in the brain.
 * PB3: Using one or more examples, explain effects of neurotransmission on human behaviour.
 * PB4: Using one or more examples, explain functions of two hormones in human behaviour.
 * PB5: Discuss two effects of the environment on physiological processes.
 * PB6: Examine one interaction between cognition and physiology in terms of behaviour. Evaluate two relevant studies.
 * PB7: Discuss the use of brain imaging technologies in investigating the relationship between biological factors and behaviour.
 * Genetics and Behaviour
 * GB1: With reference to relevant studies, to what extent does genetic inheritance influence behaviour?
 * GB2: Examine one evolutionary explanation of behaviour.
 * GB3: Discuss ethical considerations in research into genetic influences on behaviour.

Cognitive Level

 * General Learning Outcomes
 * GLO1: Outline principles that define the cognitive level of analysis.
 * GLO2: Explain how principles that define the cognitive level of analysis may be demonstrated in research.
 * GLO3: Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the cognitive level of analysis.
 * GLO4: Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the cognitive level of analysis.
 * Cognitive Processes
 * CP1: Evaluate schema theory with reference to research studies.
 * CP2: Evaluate two models or theories of one cognitive process with reference to research studies.
 * CP3: Discuss how biological factors may affect one cognitive process.
 * CP4: Discuss how social or cultural factors affect one cognitive process.
 * CP5: With reference to relevant research studies, to what extent is one cognitive process reliable?
 * CP6: Discuss the use of technology in investigating cognitive processes.
 * Cognition and Emotion
 * CE1: To what extent do cognitive and biological factors interact in emotion?
 * CE2: Evaluate one theory of how emotion may affect one cognitive process.

Sociocultural Level

 * General Learning Outcomes
 * GLO1: Outline principles that define the sociocultural level of analysis.
 * GLO2: Explain how principles that define the sociocultural level of analysis may be demonstrated in research.
 * GLO3: Discuss how and why particular research methods are used at the sociocultural level of analysis.
 * GLO4: Discuss ethical considerations related to research studies at the sociocultural level of analysis.
 * Sociocultural Cognition
 * SC1: Describe the role of situational and dispositional factors in explaining behaviour.
 * SC2: Discuss two errors in attributions.
 * SC3: Evaluate social identity theory, making reference to relevant studies.
 * SC4: Explain the formation of stereotypes and their effect on behaviour.
 * Social Norms
 * SN1: Explain social learning theory, making reference to two relevant studies.
 * SN2: Discuss the use of compliance techniques.
 * SN3: Evaluate research on conformity to group norms.
 * SN4: Discuss factors influencing conformity.
 * Cultural Norms
 * CN1: Define the terms “culture” and “cultural norms”.
 * CN2: Examine the role of two cultural dimensions on behaviour.
 * CN3: Using one or more examples, explain “emic” and “etic” concepts.