Practise IB Psychology HL 2.1.1 by evaluating animal models for brain, genetics and behaviour research, including evidence quality, species limits and ethical considerations.
Evaluate one or more studies that use an animal model to investigate the relationship between genetics and behaviour.
Refer to the paper 1 section B assessment criteria when awarding marks.
The command term "evaluate" requires candidates to make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations of one or more studies that use an animal model to investigate the relationship between genetics and behaviour.
Although a discussion of both strengths and limitations is required, it does not have to be evenly balanced to gain high marks.
Relevant studies include, but are not limited to:
- Cases et al. (1995);
Mosienko et al. (2012), Van Oortmerssen and Bakker 's (1981) studies of aggression in mice
- Farooqi and Rahilly (2006);
Friedman (1950) studies of obesity in rats
- Shmelkov et al.'s (2010) study of OCD in mice
Evaluation of the selected research studies may include, but is not limited to:
- methodological and ethical considerations
- potential differences between humans and animals
- the strengths and limitations of a reductionist approach
- supporting and/or contradictory findings
- construct validity with regard to the behaviour studied and the question of anthropomorphism
- the applications of the empirical findings
If the candidate addresses only strengths or only limitations of the study or studies, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [3] for criterion D: critical thinking. All remaining criteria should be awarded marks according to the best fit approach.