IB Psychology SL 3.2.8 Childhood Experiences Questions

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.
The command term "discuss" requires candidates to give a considered review of the influence of childhood trauma on cognitive and/or social development.

Childhood trauma could include but is not limited to: physical, psychological or sexual abuse, physical or psychological neglect, household dysfunction, loss or bereavement, bullying and/or peer victimization, community and environmental trauma (eg, war, political violence, natural disasters).

Cognitive and/or social development may include, but is not limited to:
- memory and learning
- executive functioning
- language development
- attachment styles
- peer relationships
- emotional regulation.

Relevant studies include, but are not limited to:
- Curtiss's (1977;
1981) case studies on Genie
- Gould et al.'s (2011) study on the effects of child abuse and neglect on cognitive functioning in adulthood
- Milojevich et al.'s (2018) study on associations among maltreatment, disengagement coping, and behavioural functioning in high-risk youth
- Rutter et al.'s (2011) study on the consequences of deprivation in Romanian orphans
- Koluchova's (1972 ;
1976) case studies showing the possibility of reversing the effects of deprivation
- Zeanah et al.'s (2005) Bucharest early intervention project on the effects of institutionalization on children
- Werner's (2005) study on the effect of a series of different stressors and traumatic events.

Discussion may include, but is not limited to:
- long-term/short-term effects of childhood trauma
- methodological and ethical considerations
- gender/cultural considerations
- practical applications and implications of the findings
- assumptions and biases
- supporting and/or contradictory evidence
- alternative explanations or factors (e.g. individual differences, resilience).