HOW TO MAKE ANESSAY OUTLINEFOR I.B. PSYCHOLOGY PAPER 1B AND PAPER 2

500-800 WORD ESSAYS

Paragraph 1

Restate the question in your own words This shows you understand the question

Define the essential definitions, then explain them and give an example This shows ‘comprehension’ on the essay rubric

State the theory(s) you intend to present

2nd paragraph - Proof of theory 1

Cite the aim/procedure/findings of the research which supports the theory 2-3 sentences are fine

Critique the research Use the evaluation of studies list (pick 1-2 MAX)

Explain how the research links in with the theory

Evaluation of studies list (IB Prepared pages 12-14)

Advantages/disadvantages of the method (check orange book or PSYCHSCI notes)

Experiments: artificiality means a lack of ecological validity, and is not ‘real life’

Qualitative: how effective are the measures used to record the data?

Predictive validity: does the study consistently and accurately predict human behavior?

Validity errors: Researcher bias / demand characteristics / order effects / contamination

Evaluation of studies list (IB Prepared pages 12-14)

Inter-rater reliability – if multiple researchers, how did they verify consistency?

Placebo effect?

Other studies support the conclusions?

Representative sample? Watchout for a gender or class bias

Cross-cultural validity? Or is there ethnocentrism?

Correlations: bidirectional ambiguity (concluding causality where it is not supported)

Do other Levels Of Analysis support the theory? Ex: biological support of SLT

Ethics issues: consent / confidentiality / stress & harm / brief and debrief / withdrawal

3rd paragraph – support or critique research for theory 1

Choose research which EITHER bolsters the theory in a different way than OR critiques the theory in some way Aim/procedure/findings

Critique the research

This one can be shorter, but keep the important information

Explain how it bolsters or critiques the theory

More theories?

Repeat paragraphs 2 & 3 for each

Evaluation of theories

Be sure to evaluation the theory itself (choose ONE)

Basic strategies (IB Prepared page 12-14): Descriptive value – is is consistent with existing data?

Heuristic value – to what degree does your theory stimulate investigators to do further research?

Falsifiability value – does it use concepts and definitions that can be tested (is there a problem with construct validity?)

Breadth – does the theory explain a wide or limited diversity of phenomena?

Applicability – does it help psychologists understand everyday behavior?