Concepts, content, and contexts
Explain how psychological content applies within a named context, then use concepts such as causality, bias, measurement, and responsibility to test the explanation.
IB Humanities • HL
IB Psychology HL
Use this IB Psychology HL study guide to browse the syllabus topic structure, study materials, and practice resources.
Structured practice
IB Psychology HL Question Bank
Jump straight into grouped unit practice without losing your place in the syllabus overview.
1 Biological Approach to Understanding Behaviour
1.1 Brain & Behaviour
1.2 Neurotransmitters & Their Effects
1.3 Hormones & Pheromones in Behavior
1.4 Genetics & Behavioural Traits
1.5 Animal Studies & Human Behavior Insights (HL only)
2 Cognitive Approach to Understanding Behaviour
2.1 Memory: Types & Processes
2.2 Perception & Reality
2.3 Decision Making & Cognitive Biases
2.4 Cognitive Development Over Lifespan
2.5 Role of Emotion in Cognition
2.6 Digital Age & Cognitive Shifts
3 Sociocultural Approach to Understanding Behaviour
3.1 Social Identity & Group Behaviors
3.2 Cultural Influences on Cognition & Behavior
3.3 Tradition, Modernity & Behavioral Shifts
3.4 Language's Role in Shaping Thought
3.5 Addressing Stereotypes & Prejudices
3.6 Globalization's Impact on Sociocultural Dynamics (HL only)
4 Approaches to Researching Behaviour
4.1 Quantitative Methods
4.2 Qualitative Methods
4.4 Ethical Considerations
4.5 Analysis & Evaluation
5 Abnormal Psychology (Option)
5.1 Defining 'Normal' vs. 'Abnormal'
5.2 Major Psychological Disorders
5.3 Causes & Risk Factors
5.4 Treatment Modalities & Effectiveness
5.5 Societal Views & Stigmas
5.6 Evolution of Diagnostic Criteria
Overview
Course overview
How to study IB Psychology HL
The IB Psychology HL course first assessed in May 2027 integrates six concepts—bias, causality, change, measurement, perspective, and responsibility—with biological, cognitive, and sociocultural content and research methodology. Students apply this learning across health and well-being, human development, human relationships, and learning and cognition, completing a class practical in every context. HL also studies the roles of culture, motivation, and technology and develops data-analysis and interpretation skills. The StudyIB topic catalogue below is still organised primarily for the previous course whose final assessment is in 2026; use transferable studies and methods while mapping them to the 2027 concepts and contexts.
Research methods and evidence
Connect interviews, observations, surveys or questionnaires, and experiments to sampling, measurement, ethics, data quality, and the conclusions the evidence can support.
HL extensions and data
Evaluate how culture, motivation, and technology shape behaviour and interpret quantitative and qualitative findings for Paper 3.
Assessment at a glance
For IB Psychology HL first assessed in May 2027, Paper 1 integrates concepts, content, and contexts; Paper 2 applies concepts and content to research contexts; and the internal assessment is a research proposal. HL also takes Paper 3 on interpretation and analysis of research data.
| Component | Format | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1 hour 30 minutes; short-answer, application, and concept-based responses across content and contexts | 25% |
| Paper 2 | 1 hour 30 minutes; class-practical questions and evaluation of an unseen research study | 25% |
| Paper 3 | 1 hour 45 minutes; source-based interpretation and analysis of quantitative and qualitative research data | 30% |
| Internal assessment | 20 hours; research proposal for a specified population using one class-practical method | 20% |
Sources: official IB Psychology guide (first assessment 2027) and official IB Psychology curriculum update.
Revision plan
- 1.Confirm whether your examination session is the last-assessment-2026 course or the first-assessment-2027 course before using any topic checklist.
- 2.For the 2027 course, map each study or theory to its content area, relevant context, applicable concepts, supporting evidence, and limitations.
- 3.Review all four class practical methods and practise evaluating sampling, design, measurement, ethics, data, bias, and justified conclusions.
- 4.Use timed Paper 1 and Paper 2 sets, then practise Paper 3 with mixed quantitative and qualitative findings linked to culture, motivation, or technology.
Exam strategy
Identify the context, content, and concept being assessed before selecting evidence. Explain exactly how a study supports the claim, distinguish association from causation, and make every limitation relevant to the conclusion. For Paper 3, interpret both quantitative and qualitative information, then integrate the findings with the named HL extension instead of describing each source separately.
Practise IB Psychology HL questionsFrequently asked questions
Which syllabus applies to IB Psychology HL?
The previous Psychology course has its last assessment in 2026. The new course began teaching in August 2025 and is first assessed in May 2027. Use the syllabus that matches your examination session and confirm it with your school rather than combining the two structures.
What does IB Psychology HL cover from 2027?
HL integrates six concepts—bias, causality, change, measurement, perspective, and responsibility—with biological, cognitive, and sociocultural content plus research methodology across four contexts: health and well-being, human development, human relationships, and learning and cognition. HL also studies culture, motivation, technology, and data analysis and interpretation.
How is IB Psychology HL assessed from 2027?
HL Paper 1 lasts one hour 30 minutes and contributes 25%; Paper 2 lasts one hour 30 minutes and contributes 25%; Paper 3 lasts one hour 45 minutes and contributes 30%; the research proposal internal assessment contributes 20%.
What is the IB Psychology internal assessment from 2027?
Both SL and HL students design a research proposal for a specified population of interest. The proposal uses one of the methods practised across the four contexts: an interview, observation, survey or questionnaire, or experiment. This is different from the experimental-study IA in the course last assessed in 2026.
Does the StudyIB Psychology topic list match the 2027 syllabus?
Not yet. The current catalogue is organised around the biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches, research methods, and an abnormal psychology option associated with the course last assessed in 2026. Many studies and methods remain useful, but 2027 students must remap them to the six concepts and four contexts and use the official guide as the coverage checklist.