IB Psychology HL 4.3 Technology Questions

Refer to the paper 1 section B assessment criteria when awarding marks.
The command term "discuss" requires candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of the ways in which technology is used in investigating one cognitive process.

Cognitive processes may include, but are not limited to:
- memory
- perception
- attention
- language
- decision-making.

Candidates may discuss biological factors as long as the response is clearly focused on the cognitive process.

Examples include, but are not limited to:
- the use of EEG to determine the relationship between brain activity and particular cognitive processes (eg the sleep-wake relationship)
- the use of MRI and PET scans to monitor changes in brain function during cognitive functioning, eg Maguire's studies
- the use of MRI scans to observe specific deficits in the brain and how this impacts cognitive processing, eg HM (Corkin, 1997)
- the use of computer-assisted presentation of stimulus material to aid standardization of procedures in cognitive research, eg the presentation of the words used to demonstrate the Stroop Effect.

Discussion may include, but is not limited to:
- how brain imaging technologies have changed the study of cognitive psychology
- differences in why and how different technologies are used
- evaluation of the techniques (for example, cost/benefit analysis, reductionism)
- ethical and methodological considerations in the use of the technology.

It is important that candidates discuss the use of the technology, and not simply evaluate studies. Although an actual understanding of how the technology works may be beneficial, it is not required for top marks to be awarded.

If a candidate discusses the use of technology in investigating more than one cognitive process, credit should be given only to the discussion of the first cognitive process.