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.

Psychology HL

01

1 Biological Approach to Understanding Behaviour

21 lessons5 units

Unit 01

1.1 The Brain and Behaviour

0/7

Unit 02

1.2 Neurotransmitters and Behaviour

0/3

Unit 03

1.3 Hormones and Pheromones and Behaviour

0/4

Unit 04

1.4 Genetics and Behaviour

0/4

Unit 05

1.5 The Role of Animal Research (HL)

0/3

1.5.1 Pavlov's DogsLesson
1.5.2 Skinner's RatsLesson
1.5.3 Ethical Considerations in Animal StudiesLesson

02

2 Cognitive Approach to Understanding Behaviour

15 lessons6 units

Unit 01

2.1 Cognitive Processing: Models of Memory

0/3

2.1.1 Short-Term vs. Long-Term MemoryLesson
2.1.2 Working Memory ModelLesson
2.1.3 Forgetting & Memory DecayLesson

Unit 02

2.2 Reliability of Cognitive Processes

0/3

2.2.1 Sensory PerceptionLesson
2.2.2 Optical IllusionsLesson
2.2.3 Cognitive Biases in PerceptionLesson

Unit 03

2.3 Thinking and Decision-Making

0/3

2.3.1 Heuristics in Decision MakingLesson
2.3.2 Factors Influencing DecisionsLesson
2.3.3 Problem-Solving StrategiesLesson

Unit 04

2.4 Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan

0/3

Unit 05

2.5 Emotion and Cognition

0/2

2.5.1 Emotion & MemoryLesson
2.5.2 Emotions in Decision MakingLesson

Unit 06

2.6 Cognitive Processing in the Digital World

0/1

2.6.1 Technology's Impact on CognitionLesson

03

3 Sociocultural Approach to Understanding Behaviour

14 lessons6 units

Unit 01

3.1 The Individual and the Group

0/4

Unit 02

3.2 Cultural Influences on Individual Behaviour

0/3

3.2.1 Cultural DimensionsLesson
3.2.2 Enculturation & AcculturationLesson
3.2.3 Cultural Variations in BehaviourLesson

Unit 03

3.3 Cultural Origins of Behaviour and Cognition

0/2

Unit 04

3.4 Language and Thought

0/2

3.4.1 Sapir-Whorf HypothesisLesson
3.4.2 Bilingualism & CognitionLesson

Unit 05

3.5 Stereotypes and Prejudice

0/2

3.5.1 Origins of StereotypesLesson
3.5.2 Prejudice & DiscriminationLesson

Unit 06

3.6 The Influence of Globalization on Behaviour (HL)

0/1

3.6.1 Globalization & Cultural IdentityLesson

04

4 Approaches to Researching Behaviour

15 lessons5 units

Unit 01

4.1 Quantitative Methods

0/3

4.1.1 Experimental Research in PsychologyLesson
4.1.2 Correlational ResearchLesson
4.1.3 Surveys & QuestionnairesLesson

Unit 02

4.2 Qualitative Methods

0/3

Unit 03

4.3 Research Design

0/3

Unit 04

4.4 Ethical Considerations

0/3

4.4.1 Informed Consent in Psychological ResearchLesson
4.4.2 Confidentiality & AnonymityLesson
4.4.3 Right to WithdrawLesson

Unit 05

4.5 Data Analysis and Evaluation

0/3

4.5.1 Types of DataLesson
4.5.2 Reliability & ValidityLesson
4.5.3 Recognising & Addressing BiasLesson

05

5 Option: Abnormal Psychology

15 lessons6 units

Unit 01

5.1 Defining Normality and Abnormality

0/2

5.1.1 Criteria for AbnormalityLesson
5.1.2 Historical PerspectivesLesson

Unit 02

5.2 Major Psychological Disorders

0/3

Unit 03

5.3 Etiology of Disorders

0/3

Unit 04

5.4 Treatment of Disorders

0/3

Unit 05

5.5 Stigma and Social Attitudes

0/3

5.5.1 Origins of StigmaLesson
5.5.2 Role of Media & Pop CultureLesson
5.5.3 Advocacy & Awareness CampaignsLesson

Unit 06

5.6 Classification Systems and Diagnosis

0/1

5.6.1 DSM & ICD EvolutionLesson

Psychology HL.

1.1 The Brain and Behaviour

1 Biological Approach to Understanding Behaviour

1.1 The Brain and Behaviour

1.2 Neurotransmitters and Behaviour

1.3 Hormones and Pheromones and Behaviour

1.4 Genetics and Behaviour

1.5 The Role of Animal Research (HL)

2 Cognitive Approach to Understanding Behaviour

2.1 Cognitive Processing: Models of Memory

2.2 Reliability of Cognitive Processes

2.3 Thinking and Decision-Making

2.4 Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan

2.5 Emotion and Cognition

2.6 Cognitive Processing in the Digital World

3 Sociocultural Approach to Understanding Behaviour

3.1 The Individual and the Group

3.2 Cultural Influences on Individual Behaviour

3.3 Cultural Origins of Behaviour and Cognition

3.4 Language and Thought

3.5 Stereotypes and Prejudice

3.6 The Influence of Globalization on Behaviour (HL)

4 Approaches to Researching Behaviour

4.1 Quantitative Methods

4.2 Qualitative Methods

4.3 Research Design

4.4 Ethical Considerations

4.5 Data Analysis and Evaluation

5 Option: Abnormal Psychology

5.1 Defining Normality and Abnormality

5.2 Major Psychological Disorders

5.3 Etiology of Disorders

5.4 Treatment of Disorders

5.5 Stigma and Social Attitudes

5.6 Classification Systems and Diagnosis

80 lessons.Start with one.

Psychology HL.

1.1 The Brain and Behaviour

1 Biological Approach to Understanding Behaviour

1.1 The Brain and Behaviour

1.2 Neurotransmitters and Behaviour

1.3 Hormones and Pheromones and Behaviour

1.4 Genetics and Behaviour

1.5 The Role of Animal Research (HL)

2 Cognitive Approach to Understanding Behaviour

2.1 Cognitive Processing: Models of Memory

2.2 Reliability of Cognitive Processes

2.3 Thinking and Decision-Making

2.4 Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan

2.5 Emotion and Cognition

2.6 Cognitive Processing in the Digital World

3 Sociocultural Approach to Understanding Behaviour

3.1 The Individual and the Group

3.2 Cultural Influences on Individual Behaviour

3.3 Cultural Origins of Behaviour and Cognition

3.4 Language and Thought

3.5 Stereotypes and Prejudice

3.6 The Influence of Globalization on Behaviour (HL)

4 Approaches to Researching Behaviour

4.1 Quantitative Methods

4.2 Qualitative Methods

4.3 Research Design

4.4 Ethical Considerations

4.5 Data Analysis and Evaluation

5 Option: Abnormal Psychology

5.1 Defining Normality and Abnormality

5.2 Major Psychological Disorders

5.3 Etiology of Disorders

5.4 Treatment of Disorders

5.5 Stigma and Social Attitudes

5.6 Classification Systems and Diagnosis

80 lessons.Start with one.

80 lessons.
Start with one.

80 lessons.
Start with one.