Unit Title: Introduction to Psychology  Duration: First Semester
Grade Level: 11
th
 Grade  Course: IB Psychology HL/SL 
Brief  Unit  Summary:  Psychology  is  the  science  that  deals  with  the  study  of  mental  processes  and  behavior  and 
how these are affected by biological, environmental and cultural factors. 
Stage 1: Desired Results 
Standards & Outcomes (IB Assessment Objectives in Psychology) 
1. Knowledge and comprehension of specified content. 
1.1. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of key terms and concepts in psychology 
1.2. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of psychological research methods 
1.3.  Demonstrate  knowledge  and  comprehension  of  a  range  of  appropriately  identified  psychological  theories 
and research studies 
 
2. Application and analysis 
2.1. Demonstrate an ability to use examples of psychological research and psychological concepts to 
formulate an argument in response to a specific question 
 
3. Synthesis and evaluation 
3.1. Evaluate psychological theories and empirical studies 
3.2. Discuss how different levels of analysis can be used to explain behavior 
3.3. Evaluate research methods used to investigate behavior 
 
Enduring Understandings (Big Ideas) 
Students will understand that 
1.  Psychology,  though  considered  problematic  by 
some,  is  now  considered  to  be  a  science,  based  on 
both quantitative and qualitative methods. 
 
2.  Biological,  social  and  cultural  factors  influence  the 
way we feel, think and behave. 
Essential Questions 
1.  How  do  we  gather  knowledge  within  the  field  of 
psychology? 
 
2. Are there factors that influence human behavior? 
Knowledge 
Students will know that 
1. Psychology studies mental processes and behavior.  
2.  Psychology  is  a  science  that  depends  on  different 
research methods. 
3. Ethics is critical in psychology. 
4.  Behavior  and  mental  processes  can  be  explained 
through many different perspectives and theories. 
5.  There  is  a  difference  between  psychologists  and 
psychiatrists. 
Skills 
Students will be able to 
1.  Define  psychology  and differentiate between 
mental process and behavior. 
2.  Identify  the  different  quantitative  and  qualitative 
methods used in psychological research. 
3. Identify ethical issues in the field of psychology. 
4.  Compare  and  contrast  the  psychological 
perspectives. 
5.  Name  differences  between psychologists  and 
psychiatrists. 
 
Dispositions 
1. Inquirers 
2. Knowledgeable 
3. Thinkers 
4. Communicators 
Stage 2: Assessment Evidence 
Common Assessment  
1.  Quiz  and  Tests:  To  demonstrate  knowledge  and 
comprehension. 
2.  Academic  Prompt:  To  evaluate,  discuss  and 
Other Assessment 
1.  Research  Homework:  To  use  terms  and  organize 
ideas. 
examine concepts, theories and models. 
3.  Presentations:  To  describe  and  explains  models  or 
theories. 
Stage 3: Learning Plan 
Key Learning Activities (You can link in Atlas) 
1.  Identify the defense mechanism. 
2.  Perspectives in psychology. 
3.  Psychology in your perspective. 
4.  Case study: Causes of behavior. 
 
Key Resources 
1. Psychology In Perspective By Carol Tavris 
2. Approaches to Psychology By William E. Glassman 
3. Psychology: An International Perspective by Michael 
W. Eysenck 
4. Levels of Analysis in Psychology by Jennie Jaminson 
5. Psychology By Paul Whetham 
6.  IB  Psychology  Course  Companion  by  International 
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 
 
Additionally we rely on: 
1. Videos 
2. Various Handouts 
3. Articles 
4. Optical Illusions 
 
Differentiation 
1.  Using varied resources for different learners. 
2.  Using  multiple means  of  assessment  (HW, 
Presentations, Projects, Quizzes, Tests, Drawings). 
 
 
Parent Communication/Involvements 
Canvas and Email