IB Psychology HL 3.2.2 Sociocultural Factors Questions

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.
The command term "examine" requires candidates to uncover the assumptions and interrelationships between social and/or environmental variables and cognitive development. The variables examined do not have to be specifically identified as social or environmental as they are arguably very much related.

Candidates may examine social/environmental variables in relation to specific aspects of cognitive development (for example, memory, intelligence or attention) or examine cognitive development in general. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

Candidates may examine positive influences of social/environmental variables (for example, Head Start programmes or parental training) as well as negative influences (for example, deprivation or trauma) on cognitive development.

Variables may include, but are not limited to:
- interactions with parents, siblings, peers, teachers and other significant figures (for example, Farah et al., 2008)
- social/environmental variables in relation to specific cultures differ in the kinds of cognitive skills that are valued and consequently encouraged and developed (Vygotsky, 1978;
Cole and Scribner, 1974)
- children living in poverty are more likely to suffer from learning disabilities and developmental delays (for example, Rutter's studies;
Krugman, 2008)
- malnutrition can influence cognitive development (for example, Bhoomika et al., 2008)
- early nutritional supplements in the form of protein and increased calories can have positive long-term consequences for cognitive development (Pollitt, 1995).

Animal studies may be used to support the answer as long as they are explicitly linked to human cognitive development.

Candidates may examine one variable in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may examine a larger number of variables in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

If a candidate only examines how one or more social and/or environmental variables may affect attachment, the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [3] for criterion A, knowledge and understanding, up to a maximum of [3] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C, organization.