IB Psychology IA: 60 Examples and Guidance

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program offers a variety of assessments for students, including Internal Assessments (IAs), which are pieces of coursework marked by students’ teachers. The Psychology IA is an assessment designed to test students' understanding of the material they have learned in their psychology course and their ability to conduct an experimental study.

What is the IB Psychology IA?

The IB Psychology IA is a project that requires students to conduct an original research study on a specific topic within the field of psychology. The IA must be based on empirical research, which means that students need to collect and analyze data to draw meaningful conclusions.

The investigation which students conduct will be executed as a group of 2-4 students, who work together on the research method, subjects and materials, as well as the operationalization of the Independent and Dependent Variables. However, the students will each write up the reports  independently of other group members, and the data will be analysed and conclusions drawn independently.

The report should contain an introduction, exploration, analysis, evaluation, and references.

60 Example Investigation Questions

Students should investigate an area which they are genuinely interested it. It can be from any area of psychology, but the theory or model on which the investigation is based must appear in a peer-reviewed publication. The link between this model and the students’ aims and objectives for their experiment must be made clear, as well as the relevance of the experiment. Here are 60 example investigation questions and descriptions. Some students choose to get the help of an IB Psychology tutor for extra support.

1. Does color influence cognitive recall in students?

Students could perform a quasi-experiment where they show two groups of students a list of words, with one list in black and white and the other list in vivid colors. The groups would then perform a recall task to determine which group remembers more words. This will enable students to examine the impact of color on cognitive recall.

2. What is the relationship between sleep deprivation and academic performance in high school students?

Using a correlational study design, students can survey their classmates about their average hours of sleep and their recent grades to investigate if there is a significant correlation between sleep deprivation and academic performance.

3. How does exposure to social media influence adolescents' perception of their body image?

Using a mixed methods approach, students could conduct surveys and interviews among their peers to explore the impact of social media usage on body image perceptions. The survey could quantitatively measure the amount of social media usage and body image satisfaction while interviews could offer deeper qualitative insights.

4. Does listening to classical music improve students' concentration during studying?

Students could conduct an experiment where participants study a specific piece of text in silence and then with classical music. After each session, a comprehension test about the text could measure concentration and retention levels.

5. How do stereotype threats affect the performance of female students in mathematics?

A study could be conducted where female students are reminded of gender stereotypes about mathematical ability before taking a math test. Their performance could then be compared to a control group who were not reminded of the stereotype, evaluating the influence of stereotype threats. Good IB English tutors can also support students in crafting a critical analysis that discusses the psychological impact of stereotype threats and potential educational interventions.

6. Does the presence of others impact an individual's willingness to help in an emergency situation (bystander effect)?

Students could stage a minor emergency situation in a crowded area and a less crowded area, and measure the time it takes for someone to help. This could reveal insights into the bystander effect.

7. How does the primacy effect influence recall of items in a list?

Students could conduct an experiment in which participants are given a list of words to memorise. Afterwards, the participants are asked to recall as many words as they can, and the results can be analyzed to see if words at the beginning of the list are recalled more frequently.

8. Does the mood of a person affect their perception of ambiguous situations?

An investigation could be conducted in which participants are induced into a positive or negative mood, and then asked to interpret ambiguous situations. The study would allow for analysis of how mood affects perception.

9. What impact does school start time have on student alertness and concentration?

Students could conduct surveys or observational studies to determine the correlation between school start times and student alertness/concentration levels throughout the day.

10. Does the physical attractiveness of a defendant influence jury decision-making?

Students could conduct a mock trial experiment where the physical attractiveness of the defendant is manipulated, and participants are asked to deliver a verdict and recommended sentence. This would allow investigation into bias in the legal system.

11. Do specific scents enhance memory recall?

An experiment could be conducted where participants are exposed to a specific scent while studying a set of information and later asked to recall the information under the same scent, a different scent, or no scent. The effect of scent on memory recall could then be analyzed.

12. Does socio-economic status influence attitudes toward mental health treatment?

Students could use a survey to examine attitudes towards mental health treatment among groups of different socio-economic status. This could help understand the role socio-economic status plays in mental health stigma.

13. How does mindfulness meditation affect stress levels in students?

A longitudinal study could be implemented where student participants practice mindfulness meditation over a set period and their stress levels are measured before and after the intervention, exploring the impact of mindfulness on stress.

14. Does exposure to violent video games increase aggression in teenagers?

An experiment could be performed where a group of teenagers play a violent video game and another group a non-violent game. Post-play aggression levels could then be measured using a suitable aggression scale, investigating the link between violent media and aggression.

15. What impact does group size have on conformity?

An experiment reminiscent of Asch's conformity experiments could be conducted where participants perform a task in groups of varying sizes, evaluating the effect of group size on conformity rates.

16. Does caffeine consumption affect memory retention in high school students?

An experiment could be designed where students consume a caffeinated drink prior to studying new information and later tested on memory recall, examining the influence of caffeine on memory.

17. How does the framing effect influence decision making in a simulated business scenario?

An experiment where participants make decisions in a business scenario presented in both positive (gain) and negative (loss) frames, enabling investigation of the framing effect.

18. What role does self-esteem play in susceptibility to peer pressure among adolescents?

A correlational study design could be used to investigate the relationship between levels of self-esteem and susceptibility to peer pressure, using appropriate scales and questionnaires.

19. Does the mere exposure effect influence music preferences?

An experiment could expose participants to a set of unknown songs at varying frequencies and then ask them to rate their liking for each song, assessing the impact of the mere exposure effect on preferences.

20. What is the effect of parent-child attachment styles on adolescent anxiety?

A correlational study could be designed to investigate the relationship between different attachment styles (secure, avoidant, anxious) and levels of anxiety in adolescents.

21. How does the availability heuristic affect decision-making in a gambling task?

An experiment where participants perform a gambling task designed to elicit the use of the availability heuristic, assessing its influence on decision-making.

22. Does the type of reward (intrinsic or extrinsic) affect motivation levels in students?

An experiment could compare student motivation levels under conditions of intrinsic rewards (e.g., learning for understanding) versus extrinsic rewards (e.g., learning for grades).

23. What impact does school bullying have on the mental health of adolescents?

A longitudinal study could be implemented where students' experiences of bullying and their mental health are tracked over time, understanding the psychological impact of bullying.

24. Does the presence of stereotype threat affect performance in spatial tasks between genders?

An experiment could be conducted where males and females are reminded (or not) of gender stereotypes regarding spatial abilities before completing a spatial task.

25. How does the illusion of control affect risk-taking behavior in a game of chance?

Participants could be given either real or illusionary control in a game of chance and their risk-taking behavior observed, studying the illusion of control phenomenon.

26. Does physical activity level impact mood in college students?

A correlational study could be designed to examine the relationship between levels of physical activity and self-reported mood scores in college students.

27. What is the effect of different types of parenting styles on the development of independence in children?

A longitudinal observational study could be implemented to analyze the impact of different parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, neglectful) on children's development of independence.

28. Does social isolation increase the risk of mental health issues in adolescents?

A survey could be conducted to assess the link between self-reported feelings of social isolation and mental health indicators among adolescents.

29. What role does culture play in perceptions of mental illness?

Students could conduct interviews or focus groups across different cultural groups to explore how mental illness is perceived and stigmatized, investigating cultural influences on mental health perceptions.

30. Does the scarcity principle influence consumer behavior in a simulated shopping task?

An experiment where participants perform a simulated shopping task with items presented as scarce or plentiful, studying the effect of perceived scarcity on consumer choices.

31. Does handwriting or typing notes improve memory recall in students?

An experiment could be conducted where one group of students types notes and another handwrites notes during a lecture, then both groups take a recall test to measure the impact of note-taking style on memory.

32. How does emotional state influence eating habits in adolescents?

A correlational study could be used to examine the relationship between self-reported emotional states and eating habits, investigating emotional eating tendencies in this demographic.

33. Does pet ownership influence stress levels in adults?

A comparative study could be conducted to measure stress levels among adults who own pets and those who do not, exploring potential stress-relieving benefits of pet ownership.

34. How do different types of humor affect mood in adults?

An experiment where participants are exposed to different types of humor (e.g., slapstick, satire, self-deprecating) and their subsequent mood is assessed, investigating the therapeutic effects of humor.

35. Does the Dunning-Kruger effect influence self-assessment in a knowledge-based task?

An experiment could be designed where participants perform a task and self-assess their performance. The discrepancy between self-assessment and actual performance would measure the presence of the Dunning-Kruger effect.

36. What impact do gender stereotypes have on career choices in adolescents?

A survey could be conducted to assess the relationship between self-reported career aspirations and perceived gender appropriateness of those careers, exploring the influence of gender stereotypes on career choices.

37. Does exposure to nature versus urban environments influence stress levels in individuals?

A study could be conducted where participants' stress levels are assessed after exposure to videos or images of nature versus urban environments, evaluating the potential calming effects of nature.

38. How does bilingualism affect cognitive flexibility in children?

An experiment could be conducted comparing cognitive flexibility task performance in bilingual children versus monolingual children, investigating cognitive benefits of bilingualism.

39. Does self-perception of aging affect physical health in the elderly?

A longitudinal study could explore whether older individuals with a positive self-perception of aging report better physical health and fewer age-related illnesses than those with a negative self-perception.

40. What is the impact of violent lyrics in music on aggression levels in adolescents?

An experiment where participants listen to music with violent or non-violent lyrics and then their aggression levels are assessed using a suitable aggression scale.

41. Does high smartphone usage increase symptoms of anxiety in students?

A correlational study could investigate the relationship between self-reported daily smartphone usage and anxiety symptoms, assessing the potential negative effects of heavy smartphone use.

42. How does expressive writing affect mood and stress levels in adults?

An experiment could be conducted where participants engage in expressive writing about a traumatic or stressful event and their mood and stress levels are assessed pre and post writing, evaluating the therapeutic benefits of expressive writing.

43. Does perceived social support influence resilience in individuals who have experienced trauma?

A survey study could examine the relationship between perceived social support and resilience among individuals who have experienced a traumatic event.

44. What impact does mindfulness have on impulsivity in adults with ADHD?

A study could implement a mindfulness intervention among adults with ADHD and assess any changes in impulsivity, investigating the potential benefits of mindfulness.

45. Does classroom layout influence student engagement?

An observational study could be conducted comparing student engagement in different classroom layouts (e.g., traditional rows, horseshoe, group tables), exploring the impact of environment on student behavior.

46. How does the sunk cost fallacy influence decision-making in a simulated investment task?

An experiment where participants are asked to make decisions in an investment scenario designed to elicit the sunk cost fallacy, assessing its influence on decision-making.

47. Does the foot-in-the-door technique increase compliance in a charitable donation context?

An experiment could be designed where participants are initially asked for a small favor or donation (foot in the door) and then a larger one, compared to a group asked only for the larger favor, studying compliance strategies.

48. What is the effect of growth versus fixed mindset interventions on academic performance in students?

A study could be conducted implementing growth mindset interventions in a classroom and measuring any changes in academic performance, investigating the impact of mindset on learning.

49. Does regular physical activity reduce symptoms of depression in adults?

A longitudinal study could measure the relationship between regular physical activity levels and depression symptoms, exploring the potential mental health benefits of exercise.

50. What is the impact of materialism on subjective well-being in adults?

A survey study could be conducted to examine the relationship between materialistic values and self-reported subjective well-being, assessing the psychological costs of materialism.

51. How does optimistic versus pessimistic future thinking affect mood in individuals?

An experiment where participants are asked to imagine positive or negative future scenarios and then their mood is assessed, studying the impact of future thinking on mood.

52. Does the halo effect influence student evaluations of teachers?

An experiment could be conducted where students watch a video of a teacher delivering a lesson and then rate the teacher on various attributes. The teacher's attractiveness level would be manipulated to test the presence of the halo effect.

53. What is the relationship between emotional intelligence and relationship satisfaction in adults?

A survey study could be conducted to investigate the correlation between self-reported emotional intelligence scores and relationship satisfaction ratings.

54. Does a high need for cognitive closure influence bias in decision making?

A study could be conducted to determine if individuals high in need for cognitive closure show greater bias in decision-making tasks compared to those low in this trait.

55. What is the impact of long-term meditation practice on attention span in adults?

A correlational study could be conducted comparing attention span measures between long-term meditators and non-meditators, investigating potential cognitive benefits of meditation.

56. How does perceived social status influence self-esteem in adolescents?

A survey could be conducted among adolescents to measure the correlation between their perceived social status and self-esteem levels.

57. Does imagery practice enhance performance in a motor task?

An experiment could be conducted where participants practice a motor task physically or via imagery and their performance is later assessed, studying the effectiveness of mental practice.

58. How does spacing versus massing study sessions influence recall in students?

An experiment could be conducted where students study a set of information in spaced or massed sessions and then take a recall test, exploring effective learning strategies.

59. What is the relationship between introversion-extroversion and preferred social activities in adults?

A survey could be conducted to investigate the correlation between introversion-extroversion scores and preferences for different social activities.

60. Does short-term fasting affect cognitive performance in adults?

An experiment could be conducted where adults fast for a set period of time and then perform cognitive tasks, assessing the impact of fasting on cognition.

Experienced online UK tutors can provide invaluable support in these investigations, offering guidance on experimental design, data analysis, and the interpretation and presentation of findings, IB study material, ensuring students effectively link psychological theories to their research objectives.

Have a look at our comprehensive set of IB Psychology resources that include IB Psychology Study Notes, IB Psychology Questions, IB Psychology Past Papers and more, developed by expert IB teachers and examiners!

How should I conduct the experiment?

The experimental method  looks for a relationship between the Independent and Dependent Variables, with all other factors being controlled as far as possible.

It is crucial for experiments to have only one Independent Variable, which refers to the variable that is manipulated by the experimenters. Students should choose the number and nature of conditions for their experiment based on the study that informs their experiment. A simple experiment may have only two conditions for the Independent Variable, while the study that it is based on may have several. Students can replicate all the conditions or choose to simplify the experiment by selecting two conditions.

However, variables based on pre-existing characteristics of participants cannot be used for internal assessment. Examples of such variables include gender, age, native language, culture, education level, socio-economic status, and handedness. Although these variables might be interesting to students, they cannot be manipulated within the framework of the internal assessment. If any of these variables are defined as the Independent Variable, the experiment will not meet the requirements and will not earn marks.

It is also important to note that experiments involving placebos, ingestion or inhalation (such as food, drink, smoking, or drugs), or deprivation (such as sleep or food) are not acceptable and will not earn marks. The operationalization of the Independent Variable may differ from the original study, such as using different words for a word list or a different type of music, as long as the link between the study and the student's experiment remains clear.

The Dependent Variable is the variable that is measured, and there are various approaches that students can take when working with it. They can either replicate the operationalization of the Dependent Variable used in the study that their experiment is based on, or they can modify it to suit their own resources or circumstances. This can include altering the number or type of measurements taken or even selecting a different Dependent Variable altogether, as long as they can justify the link between their experiment and the original study.

Moreover, students may need to adjust the methodology of the study to better suit their working context. For instance, they may need to modify the nature of the participants, as the most feasible participants for a school experiment would likely be other students. Alternatively, they may need to alter the number of participants involved, as the original study might have had access to participant numbers that are impossible to replicate in a school environment. Similarly, the original study may have employed a matched pairs design, which is not feasible in school as there are too few participants to choose from.

The marking criteria have been designed to allow for a certain degree of flexibility, and students can earn full marks if they apply the aforementioned variations appropriately. Further assistance in conducting the experiment for internal assessment, as well as exemplars of student work, can be found in the teacher support material.

How should I analyse and evaluate the data?

Psychology tutors suggest that the analysis should include the descriptive statistics to highlight the variability and spread of the data, and inferential statistics to draw conclusions about the significance of the data generated in terms of supporting a hypothesis.

The evaluation should cover the limitations for the method and suggestions for improving the method to generate more data or more effective data in order to arrive at a firmer conclusion.

How is the IA assessed?

Introduction (6 marks)

The aim of the investigation is stated and its relevance should be explained. The theory or model upon which the student’s investigation is based should be described and the link to the student’s investigation is explained. The Independent and Dependent Variables should be stated and operationalized in the null or research hypotheses.

Exploration (4 marks)

The research design should be explained.

The sampling technique should be explained.

The choice of participants should be explained.

Controlled variables should be explained.

The choice of materials should be explained.

Analysis (6 marks)

Descriptive and inferential statistics should be appropriately and accurately applied. The graph should be correctly presented and addresses the hypothesis. The statistical findings should be interpreted with regard to the data and linked to the hypothesis.

Evaluation (6 marks)

The findings of the student’s investigation should be discussed with reference to the background theory or model. Strengths and limitations of the design, sample and procedure should be stated and explained and relevant to the investigation. Modifications should be explicitly linked to the limitations of the student’s investigation and fully justified.

How much does the IA contribute to my overall grade?

For Standard Level students, the IA will contribute to 25% of your grade. For Higher Level students, the IA will contribute to 20%. The rest will be made up of Papers 1 and 2 for SL students, and Papers 1, 2, and 3 for HL students.

IB Psychology Subject Brief

What ethical guidelines should I consider?

Experimental studies that cause anxiety, stress, pain, or discomfort for participants are strictly prohibited. This also includes experiments that involve deception, conformity, obedience, or any other form of harm. It is important to consider the sensitivities of the school, community, and country when planning an experiment.

Unjustified deception, involuntary participation, invasion of privacy, and inappropriate use of ICT, email, or the internet must be avoided. If such infringements cannot be avoided, approval from experienced psychologists should be obtained before proceeding.

Partial deception may be allowed if it does not cause harm, and participants are fully debriefed at the end. Participants have the right to withdraw their data, except in conformity or obedience studies, which are never permitted.

Explicit consent must be obtained from participants using a consent form, and they must be informed of the aims and objectives of the experiment. Participants also have the right to withdraw at any time without pressure.

Children under 12 years of age cannot give informed consent, and parental consent is required for children from 12 to 16 years of age. Teachers' written consent is also required for school studies.

Participants must be debriefed, their anonymity guaranteed, and the results of the study shared with them. Local and international cultures must be respected, and participants must be in a fit state of mind to participate.

If a participant experiences stress or pain, the experiment must be stopped immediately, and they must be allowed to withdraw.

Non-human animals cannot be used for the experiment.

It is essential that all data collected during an experimental study is handled confidentially and with responsibility, without being disclosed to any third-party.

The data collected must only be used for the purpose agreed upon with the participants.

It is the responsibility of students to monitor their peers' research practices and encourage them to reconsider any practices that violate these guidelines.

The same guidelines apply to experimental studies conducted online. Any data collected online must be deleted once the research is completed and cannot be used for any purpose other than the experiment.

In cases where teachers require further guidance on the ethical implications of a particular experiment, they should consult other teachers via the OCC or IB tutors, who may offer additional expertise and critical perspectives.

Conclusion

In this guide, we've explored key steps for success in your IB Psychology IA. From choosing a topic to conducting research and presenting results, every stage is crucial. Remember, effective communication and a solid understanding of psychological principles are essential. Additionally, consider tutoring as a valuable resource to deepen your understanding and improve your IA, making your journey in IB Psychology both enriching and rewarding.