Practise discussing how cultural norms and social contexts influence cognition and behaviour with IB Psychology HL questions, research studies and mark schemes.
Discuss one or more cultural influences on human cognition and/or behaviour.
Refer to the paper 1 section B assessment criteria when awarding marks.
The command term "discuss" requires candidates to offer a considered review of one or more cultural influences on human cognition and/or behaviour.
It is not necessary for candidates to make a distinction between cognition and behaviour.
Studies investigating cultural influences on cognition and/or behaviour may include, but are not limited to:
- acculturation (Lueck and Wilson, 2010;
Kraeh et al., 2016;
Torres et al., 2012)
- attachment (Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg, 1988;
Sagi et al., 1985)
- conformity (Bond and Smith, 1996;
Berry, 1967)
- cultural norms (Odden and Rochat, 2004;
Fagot, 1974)
- flashbulb memories (Kulkofsky et al., 2011)
- The effects of education on memory (Cole and Scribner, 1974;
Kearins, 1981).
- Pro-social behaviour (Moghaddam et al., 1993;
Levine et al., 2001)
- Cognitive development (Li et al., 1999)
Critical discussion may include, but is not limited to:
- ecological versus internal validity
- use of quasi-experimental research
- sampling biases and the ecological fallacy
- lab versus field experiments
- operationalization of "culture" as a construct
- emic versus etic approaches to studying cultural influences
Candidates may discuss one cultural influence in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may discuss a larger number of cultural influences in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.