IB Psychology HL 4.1.1 Culture and health Question Bank

Refer to the paper 2 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 investigating the role of culture in the treatment of one or more disorders. Although a discussion of both strengths and limitations is required, it does not have to be evenly balanced to gain high marks.

Relevant studies may include but are not limited to:
- Castillo's (1997) study on a client-centred approach acknowledging cultural factors in treatment
- Sue and Zane's (2009) study on the role of culture and cultural techniques in psychotherapy
- Marsala's (2012) study on cultural conceptions of mental health and therapy
- Nicholl and Thompson's (2004) study on culturally sensitive adaptations of CBT on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adult refugees
- Sharen and Sundar's (2015) study on cultural differences in treating eating disorders in young females
- Zhang et al.'s (2002) study on Chinese Taoist cognitive psychotherapy (CTCP) for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Kinzie et al.'s (1987) study on compliance to antidepressant treatment in different cultures
- Leong and Kalbatseva's (2011) study on barriers that affect a group's willingness to seek treatment for mental illness.

Evaluation of the selected studies may include but is not limited to:
- methodological and ethical considerations
- gender considerations
- contrary findings
- practical applications of the empirical findings
- how the findings of research have been interpreted
- implications of the findings
- validity and reliability.

If the candidate refers only to studies investigating the role of culture on diagnosis or etiologies of one or more disorder without linking it to the role of culture in treatment then the response should be awarded up to a maximum of [2] for criterion C: use of research to support answer. All remaining criteria should be awarded marks according to the best fit approach.

If the candidate addresses only strengths or only limitations, 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.

Candidates may evaluate one study to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may evaluate a larger number of studies to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

Candidates may address one disorder to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may address a larger number of disorders to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.

In questions that ask for evaluation of studies, in criterion A the extent to which the response is focused on the question is assessed. Responses that are generic, lack a focus on the specific question and seem as pre-prepared essays of relevance to the general topic (but not to evaluation of one or more studies) should be awarded [0]. If the response identifies which studies will be evaluated but there is also extra information that is not relevant or necessary for the specific question then [1]
should be awarded. Responses that are clearly focused on evaluating one or more studies should gain [2].

Marks awarded for criterion B should refer to definitions of terms and concepts relating to research studies. Overall this could include some knowledge of topic but more specifically knowledge and understanding related to research methods and ethics of chosen studies.

Marks for criterion B should be awarded as follows:
- 1-2 General knowledge of topic (the role of culture in treatment)
- 3-4 Knowledge of general research terms and concepts is provided but lacks detail. Some minor errors might be present
- 5-6 Relevant knowledge of specific research methods material is utilized and concepts are defined within the context of the specific study.

Marks awarded for criterion C assess the quality of the description of as study/studies and assess how well the student linked the findings of the study to the question - this doesn't have to be very sophisticated or long for these questions but still the aim or the conclusion should be linked to the topic of the specific question.