|
Titel
2
|
HL 1: Paper 3 and Developmental Psychology
AIMS/OBJECTIVES
- A main point of this unit is to learn the language of Psychology and begin developing a “critical thinking toolbox”. During this the focus will be on research within Psychology with a primary focus on quantitative research.
- Building on the acquired knowledge on research, the students will be introduced to Paper 3, developing their understanding of the different research methods and sampling methods, analysing ethical considerations related to specific research, and being able to discuss the possibility of generalizing/transferring the results of the study.
- The first part of the developmental psychology studied in this unit is about how we develop a sense of self and how this affects our interaction with others. The three areas of focus are attachment theory, gender identity, and theory of mind/empathy.
- The second part of the developmental psychology focuses on influences on cognitive and social development. This includes knowledge about the influence of biological, social and cultural factors in the development of an individual.
- In addition, the developmental topics has some specific ethical demands due to the sensitivity of the topic
Essential understandings:
- There are strengths and limitations associated with different research methods
- The emotional bond that a child forms with his/her caregiver is important for healthy emotional and social development.
- One's gender identity and social role are the result of an interaction of biological, cognitive, and social factors.
- Empathy is the result of a child's development of a theory of mind, allowing them to understand the beliefs and desires of others.
- Early experiences may influence later development
- Ideas centered around resilience may help explain why some people are more affected by their experiences than others
Inquiry questions:
1. What considerations must a psychologist make when setting up a research experiment?
2. What are the strengths and limitations of an experimental approach to studying human behaviour?
3. To what extent does childhood experience affect our adult identity?
4. To what extent is gender identity biologically determined?
5. How do researchers study the development of theory of mind?
ACADEMICS
- Understand the ethical practices upheld in psychological inquiry
- Understand and use diverse methods of psychological inquiry
- Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of key terms and concepts in psychology
- Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of psychological research methods
- Evaluate research relevant to child development, potentially applying that research to better understand a child’s educational and social progress
- Understand how one's own past relationships may play a role in current relationships
SKILLS
Personal skills
- Develop in the student the capacity to identify, analyze critically, and evaluate theories, concepts, and arguments about the nature and activities of the individual and society
- Develop in the student the ability to evaluate the contribution of the theories and research in areas of applied psychology, as well as evaluate research scenarios from a methodological and ethical perspective
Social skills
- The question of sampling bias is addressed and the problem of highly Western, wealthy, educated samples in Psychology is discussed
- Students are asked to be inquirers, for example on developing research hypotheses and designs. They are encouraged to be communicators in the classroom, expressing what they have learned, but also listening and reacting to the ideas and evidence presented by their peers
- The unit will be looking at the question of social roles and the extent to which gender roles are universal
TOK
- The difference between quantitative and qualitative data – is one superior to the other?
- Ethical considerations in psychological research. Does the end justify the means?
- The concept of “certainty”: To what extent can we actually know if gender is biologically based? What are the implications of knowledge? How did a shift to a more biological understanding of gender identity lead to social changes? To what extent are we influenced by traumas or protective factors during childhood? How do we know, and can we know for sure?
CAS
- The main developmental points in children can be used when working with children
- The study on gender identity can be linked to society today, including the extent to which people are discriminated against because of their gender identity and the school’s level of tolerance for gender diversity.
STUDY
- The materials used in class is from the InThinking Subject Site: IBDP Psychology by John Crane. The site includes among others sections a Psychology textbook and a Student resources.
ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION
- The students will throughout the course be introduced to answering Paper 3 from studying examples and structuring answers together in class, to answering Paper 3s in class with assistance and finally being able to write them individually. Through this approach the students will experience a running evaluation of their work on Paper 3s, making it clear to them how they can improve their answers.
- The students will be tested in class on their acquired knowledge at the end of the unit focusing on developmental psychology.
|