Practise IB Psychology HL 3.1.1 by analysing research methods and evaluating how evidence supports or limits conclusions about biological processes and behaviour.
To what extent do biological factors influence health-related behaviour?
Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.
The command term "to what extent" requires candidates to consider the influence of biological factors on health-related behaviour.
Stress, obesity, substance abuse, and other health-related behaviours are equally acceptable for answers to the question. Candidates may approach health-related behaviour as a whole or use specific examples of health-related behaviour. Both approaches are equally acceptable.
Biological factors may include, but are not limited to:
- evolutionary explanations
- genetic predisposition
- the biological effects of drug treatment for addictive behaviour
- the neurobiology of food addiction (for example, Volkow et al., 2002).
Each factor that is identified should be connected to health-related behaviour. Where this connection is not made, no marks should be awarded for the mere listing or description of biological factors.
It is appropriate and useful for candidates to address sociocultural and/or cognitive factors in order to respond to the command term "to what extent".
Candidates may address a small number of biological factors in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may address a larger number of biological factors in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.