Practise IB Psychology SL 3.1 by explaining health, stress, coping, resilience and illness behaviour with evaluated psychological evidence.
Examine how one or more biological factor(s) influence either one specific anxiety disorder or one specific eating disorder.
Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.
The command term "examine" requires candidates to consider the influence of biological factors in ways that uncover the relationship between the chosen biological factor(s) and the selected disorder.
Responses are likely to refer to biological factors, such as:
- the role of genes
- brain damage
- biochemical factors (e.g. hormones and neurotransmitters).
Support for the role of biological factors in disorders comes from research studies investigating the effectiveness of psychopharmacological treatment. A large and growing range of drugs has been developed to deal with anxiety and eating disorders. Although these drugs are beneficial, it is not clear if they address the root causes of such disorders or simply mask the symptoms.
Cognitive and sociocultural factors may be legitimately considered if they are shown to influence, or be influenced by, biological factors.
Responses that examine biological factors of depression or any mood disorder should not be awarded any marks.
Candidates may examine one biological factor in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may examine more than one biological factor in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable. Marks should be awarded based on the quality of the examination presented.
If a candidate examines how one or more biological factor(s) influence one affective disorder or schizophrenia, no marks should be awarded.
If a candidate examines one or more biological factors in relation to more than one specific anxiety disorder and/or one specific eating disorder, credit should be given only to the examination of the first disorder.
Outline symptoms of one anxiety, affective or eating disorder.
To what extent do cognitive factors influence the etiology of the disorder that you have outlined?
Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.
A brief but clear account of symptoms for one psychological disorder should be provided. Responses should refer to one psychological disorder from one of the groups of disorders specified in the question.
The command term "to what extent" requires the candidate to provide a sound argument concerning the importance of cognitive factors in the development of one anxiety, affective or eating disorder. This account should be presented clearly and should be supported with appropriate psychological research.
Responses may refer to cognitive factors influencing the etiology of the disorder such as, but not limited to:
- cognitive distortions
- irrational beliefs, or
- cognitive styles.
The extent to which cognitive factors influence the etiology of the disorder may be addressed by referring to, but not limited to:
- research findings that tend to suggest that an analysis of cognitive factors helps clinicians understand the etiology, symptoms, and personality of individuals with a certain disorder
- criticism that claims that cognitive explanations fail to provide any explanation of why these distortions arise and why some people use them while others do not
- claims that it is difficult to establish cause and effect relationships
- that the onset and development of the disorder is a result of complex interactions between biological, cognitive and/or sociocultural factors. For example, responses may claim that females are more likely to suffer from some eating disorders than males, suggesting that hormonal fluctuations relate to the greater vulnerability of women. Further elaboration may argue that the reasons for the disorder are rooted more in social causes than in cognitive ones.
Candidates may address a smaller number of cognitive factors in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may address a larger number of cognitive factors in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.
If a candidate discusses more than one anxiety, affective or eating disorder, credit should be given only to the first disorder.
Candidates who do not make any reference to the extent to which factors other than cognitive factors (for example, biological or social factors) influence the etiology of the disorder can be awarded up to [6 marks] for criterion B, critical thinking, and up to [3 marks] for criterion C, organization. Up to full marks may be awarded for criterion A, knowledge and comprehension.
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.