Build confidence with IB Psychology SL 3.1.3 research-methods questions, from sampling and operationalisation to explaining how design choices affect valid conclusions.
Discuss cultural variations in the prevalence of psychological disorders.
Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.
The command term "discuss" requires candidates to offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of cultural variations in the prevalence of disorders.
The term "prevalence" refers to the percentage of individuals within a population who are affected by a specific disorder at a given time. The prevalence of any psychological disorder may be discussed.
Responses may include, but are not limited to:
- reference to an increase in diagnoses related to differences in cultural norms (for example, an increase in diagnoses of depression or eating disorders in women)
- addressing cultural factors that seem to increase the risk of developing affective or eating disorders
- reference to evidence that with increasing Westernization, rates of certain disorders tend to increase
- addressing changes in diagnostic screening which help mental health professions become more culturally aware in their diagnoses
- culture-bound disorders
- the interaction between biological, cognitive and sociocultural factors
- some prevalence rates are consistent across cultures, for example, schizophrenia.
Relevant studies may include, but are not limited to:
- Okulate et al. (2004) - core symptoms of depression are shared in different cultures
- Jaeger et al. (2002) - body dissatisfaction suggesting significant differences between cultures
- Dutton (2009) - cultural variations in prevalence of major depression could be due to cultural differences in stress, standard of living and reporting bias
- how emic versus etic approaches affect prevalence rates.
Candidates may discuss a smaller number of cultural variations in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may discuss a larger number of cultural variations in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.
Candidates may discuss a small number of disorders in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may discuss a larger number of disorders in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.