IB Psychology/Options

The Options are a compulsory area of the IB Psychology syllabus. Students doing Standard Level (SL) Psychology must choose one option, and students doing Higher Level (HL) Psychology must choose two options. The five options are abnormal psychology, developmental psychology, health psychology, psychology of human relationships, and sport psychology.

=Options=

Abnormal Psychology

 * General Framework
 * GF1: To what extent do biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors influence abnormal behaviour?
 * GF2: Evaluate psychological research (that is, theories and/or studies) relevant to the study of abnormal behaviour.
 * Concepts and Diagnosis
 * CD1: Examine the concepts of normality and abnormality.
 * CD2: Discuss validity and reliability of diagnosis.
 * CD3: Discuss cultural and ethical considerations in diagnosis.
 * Psychological Disorders
 * PD1: Describe symptoms and prevalence of one disorder from two of the following groups: – anxiety disorders – affective disorders – eating disorders.
 * PD2: Analyse etiologies (in terms of biological, cognitive and/or sociocultural factors) of one disorder from two of the following groups: – anxiety disorders – affective disorders – eating disorders.
 * PD3: Discuss cultural and gender variations in prevalence of disorders.
 * Implementing Treatment
 * IT1: Examine biomedical, individual and group approaches to treatment.
 * IT2: Evaluate the use of biomedical, individual and group approaches to the treatment of one disorder.
 * IT3: Discuss the use of eclectic approaches to treatment.
 * IT4: Discuss the relationship between etiology and therapeutic approach in relation to one disorder.

Developmental Psychology

 * General Framework
 * GF1: Evaluate psychological research (that is, theories and/or studies) relevant to developmental psychology.
 * GF2: Evaluate psychological research relevant to developmental psychology.
 * Cognitive Development
 * CD1: Evaluate theories of cognitive development.
 * CD2: Discuss how social and environmental variables may affect cognitive development.
 * Social Development
 * SD1: Examine attachment in childhood and its role in the subsequent formation of relationships.
 * SD2: Discuss potential effects of deprivation or trauma in childhood on later development.
 * SD3: Define resilience.
 * SD4: Discuss strategies to build resilience.
 * Identity Development
 * ID1: Discuss the formation and development of gender roles.
 * ID2: Explain cultural variations in gender role
 * ID3: Describe adolescence.
 * ID4: Discuss the relationship between physical change and development of identity during adolescence.
 * ID5: Examine psychological research into adolescence.

Health Psychology

 * General Framework
 * GF1: To what extent do biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors influence health-related behaviour?
 * GF2: Evaluate psychological research (that is, theories and/or studies) relevant to health psychology.
 * Stress
 * S1: Describe stressors.
 * S2: Discuss physiological, psychological and social aspects of stress.
 * S3: Evaluate strategies for coping with stress.
 * Substance Abuse, Addictive Behaviour and Obesity
 * SAABO1: Explain factors related to the development of substance abuse or addictive behaviour.
 * SAABO2: Examine prevention strategies and treatments for substance abuse and addictive behaviour.
 * SAABO3: Discuss factors related to overeating and the development of obesity.
 * SAABO4: Discuss prevention strategies and treatments for overeating and obesity.
 * Health Promotion
 * HP1: Examine models and theories of health promotion.
 * HP2: Discuss the effectiveness of health promotion strategies.

Psychology of Human Relationships

 * General Framework
 * GF1: To what extent do biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors influence human relationships?
 * GF2: Evaluate psychological research (that is, theories and/or studies) relevant to the study of human relationships.
 * Social Responsibility
 * SR1: Distinguish between altruism and prosocial behaviour.
 * SR2: Contrast two theories explaining altruism in humans.
 * SR3: Using one or more research studies, explain cross-cultural differences in prosocial behaviour.
 * SR4: Examine factors influencing bystanderism.
 * Interpersonal Relationships
 * IR1: Examine biological, psychological and social origins of attraction.
 * IR2: Discuss the role of communication in maintaining relationships.
 * IR3: Explain the role that culture plays in the formation and maintenance of relationships.
 * IR4: Analyse why relationships may change or end.
 * Violence
 * V1: Evaluate sociocultural explanations of the origins of violence.
 * V2: Discuss the relative effectiveness of two strategies for reducing violence.
 * V3: Discuss the effects of short-term and long-term exposure to violence.

Sport Psychology

 * General Framework
 * GF1: To what extent do biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors influence behaviour in sport?
 * GF2: Evaluate psychological research (that is, theories and/or studies) relevant to the study of sport psychology.
 * Emotion and Motivation
 * EM1: Evaluate theories of motivation in sport.
 * EM2: Using one or more research studies, explain the role of goal-setting in the motivation of individuals.
 * EM3: Discuss theories relating arousal and anxiety to performance.
 * Skill Development and Performance
 * SDP1: Evaluate techniques for skill development used in sport.
 * SDP2: To what extent does the role of coaches affect individual or team behaviour in sport?
 * SDP3: Explain relationships between team cohesion and performance.
 * SDP4: Describe aids and barriers to team cohesion.
 * Problems in Sports
 * PS1: Discuss athlete response to stress and chronic injury.
 * PS2: Examine reasons for using drugs in sport.
 * PS3: Discuss effects of drug use in sport.
 * PS4: Compare models of causes and prevention of burnout.