how to write an extended essay in psychology

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the complete ib extended essay guide: examples, topics, and ideas.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

IB students around the globe fear writing the Extended Essay, but it doesn't have to be a source of stress! In this article, I'll get you excited about writing your Extended Essay and provide you with the resources you need to get an A on it.

If you're reading this article, I'm going to assume you're an IB student getting ready to write your Extended Essay. If you're looking at this as a potential future IB student, I recommend reading our introductory IB articles first, including our guide to what the IB program is and our full coverage of the IB curriculum .

IB Extended Essay: Why Should You Trust My Advice?

I myself am a recipient of an IB Diploma, and I happened to receive an A on my IB Extended Essay. Don't believe me? The proof is in the IBO pudding:

If you're confused by what this report means, EE is short for Extended Essay , and English A1 is the subject that my Extended Essay topic coordinated with. In layman's terms, my IB Diploma was graded in May 2010, I wrote my Extended Essay in the English A1 category, and I received an A grade on it.

What Is the Extended Essay in the IB Diploma Programme?

The IB Extended Essay, or EE , is a mini-thesis you write under the supervision of an IB advisor (an IB teacher at your school), which counts toward your IB Diploma (learn more about the major IB Diploma requirements in our guide) . I will explain exactly how the EE affects your Diploma later in this article.

For the Extended Essay, you will choose a research question as a topic, conduct the research independently, then write an essay on your findings . The essay itself is a long one—although there's a cap of 4,000 words, most successful essays get very close to this limit.

Keep in mind that the IB requires this essay to be a "formal piece of academic writing," meaning you'll have to do outside research and cite additional sources.

The IB Extended Essay must include the following:

• A title page
• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

Additionally, your research topic must fall into one of the six approved DP categories , or IB subject groups, which are as follows:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts

Once you figure out your category and have identified a potential research topic, it's time to pick your advisor, who is normally an IB teacher at your school (though you can also find one online ). This person will help direct your research, and they'll conduct the reflection sessions you'll have to do as part of your Extended Essay.

As of 2018, the IB requires a "reflection process" as part of your EE supervision process. To fulfill this requirement, you have to meet at least three times with your supervisor in what the IB calls "reflection sessions." These meetings are not only mandatory but are also part of the formal assessment of the EE and your research methods.

According to the IB, the purpose of these meetings is to "provide an opportunity for students to reflect on their engagement with the research process." Basically, these meetings give your supervisor the opportunity to offer feedback, push you to think differently, and encourage you to evaluate your research process.

The final reflection session is called the viva voce, and it's a short 10- to 15-minute interview between you and your advisor. This happens at the very end of the EE process, and it's designed to help your advisor write their report, which factors into your EE grade.

Here are the topics covered in your viva voce :

• A check on plagiarism and malpractice
• Your reflection on your project's successes and difficulties
• Your reflection on what you've learned during the EE process

Your completed Extended Essay, along with your supervisor's report, will then be sent to the IB to be graded. We'll cover the assessment criteria in just a moment.

We'll help you learn how to have those "lightbulb" moments...even on test day!  

What Should You Write About in Your IB Extended Essay?

You can technically write about anything, so long as it falls within one of the approved categories listed above.

It's best to choose a topic that matches one of the IB courses , (such as Theatre, Film, Spanish, French, Math, Biology, etc.), which shouldn't be difficult because there are so many class subjects.

Here is a range of sample topics with the attached extended essay:

• Biology: The Effect of Age and Gender on the Photoreceptor Cells in the Human Retina
• Chemistry: How Does Reflux Time Affect the Yield and Purity of Ethyl Aminobenzoate (Benzocaine), and How Effective is Recrystallisation as a Purification Technique for This Compound?
• English: An Exploration of Jane Austen's Use of the Outdoors in Emma
• Geography: The Effect of Location on the Educational Attainment of Indigenous Secondary Students in Queensland, Australia
• Math: Alhazen's Billiard Problem
• Visual Arts: Can Luc Tuymans Be Classified as a Political Painter?

You can see from how varied the topics are that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to picking a topic . So how do you pick when the options are limitless?

How to Write a Stellar IB Extended Essay: 6 Essential Tips

Below are six key tips to keep in mind as you work on your Extended Essay for the IB DP. Follow these and you're sure to get an A!

#1: Write About Something You Enjoy

You can't expect to write a compelling essay if you're not a fan of the topic on which you're writing. For example, I just love British theatre and ended up writing my Extended Essay on a revolution in post-WWII British theatre. (Yes, I'm definitely a #TheatreNerd.)

I really encourage anyone who pursues an IB Diploma to take the Extended Essay seriously. I was fortunate enough to receive a full-tuition merit scholarship to USC's School of Dramatic Arts program. In my interview for the scholarship, I spoke passionately about my Extended Essay; thus, I genuinely think my Extended Essay helped me get my scholarship.

But how do you find a topic you're passionate about? Start by thinking about which classes you enjoy the most and why . Do you like math classes because you like to solve problems? Or do you enjoy English because you like to analyze literary texts?

Keep in mind that there's no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing your Extended Essay topic. You're not more likely to get high marks because you're writing about science, just like you're not doomed to failure because you've chosen to tackle the social sciences. The quality of what you produce—not the field you choose to research within—will determine your grade.

Once you've figured out your category, you should brainstorm more specific topics by putting pen to paper . What was your favorite chapter you learned in that class? Was it astrophysics or mechanics? What did you like about that specific chapter? Is there something you want to learn more about? I recommend spending a few hours on this type of brainstorming.

One last note: if you're truly stumped on what to research, pick a topic that will help you in your future major or career . That way you can use your Extended Essay as a talking point in your college essays (and it will prepare you for your studies to come too!).

#2: Select a Topic That Is Neither Too Broad nor Too Narrow

There's a fine line between broad and narrow. You need to write about something specific, but not so specific that you can't write 4,000 words on it.

You can't write about WWII because that would be a book's worth of material. You also don't want to write about what type of soup prisoners of war received behind enemy lines, because you probably won’t be able to come up with 4,000 words of material about it. However, you could possibly write about how the conditions in German POW camps—and the rations provided—were directly affected by the Nazis' successes and failures on the front, including the use of captured factories and prison labor in Eastern Europe to increase production. WWII military history might be a little overdone, but you get my point.

If you're really stuck trying to pinpoint a not-too-broad-or-too-narrow topic, I suggest trying to brainstorm a topic that uses a comparison. Once you begin looking through the list of sample essays below, you'll notice that many use comparisons to formulate their main arguments.

I also used a comparison in my EE, contrasting Harold Pinter's Party Time with John Osborne's Look Back in Anger in order to show a transition in British theatre. Topics with comparisons of two to three plays, books, and so on tend to be the sweet spot. You can analyze each item and then compare them with one another after doing some in-depth analysis of each individually. The ways these items compare and contrast will end up forming the thesis of your essay!

When choosing a comparative topic, the key is that the comparison should be significant. I compared two plays to illustrate the transition in British theatre, but you could compare the ways different regional dialects affect people's job prospects or how different temperatures may or may not affect the mating patterns of lightning bugs. The point here is that comparisons not only help you limit your topic, but they also help you build your argument.

Comparisons are not the only way to get a grade-A EE, though. If after brainstorming, you pick a non-comparison-based topic and are still unsure whether your topic is too broad or narrow, spend about 30 minutes doing some basic research and see how much material is out there.

If there are more than 1,000 books, articles, or documentaries out there on that exact topic, it may be too broad. But if there are only two books that have any connection to your topic, it may be too narrow. If you're still unsure, ask your advisor—it's what they're there for! Speaking of advisors...

Don't get stuck with a narrow topic!

#3: Choose an Advisor Who Is Familiar With Your Topic

If you're not certain of who you would like to be your advisor, create a list of your top three choices. Next, write down the pros and cons of each possibility (I know this sounds tedious, but it really helps!).

For example, Mr. Green is my favorite teacher and we get along really well, but he teaches English. For my EE, I want to conduct an experiment that compares the efficiency of American electric cars with foreign electric cars.

I had Ms. White a year ago. She teaches physics and enjoyed having me in her class. Unlike Mr. Green, Ms. White could help me design my experiment.

Based on my topic and what I need from my advisor, Ms. White would be a better fit for me than would Mr. Green (even though I like him a lot).

The moral of my story is this: do not just ask your favorite teacher to be your advisor . They might be a hindrance to you if they teach another subject. For example, I would not recommend asking your biology teacher to guide you in writing an English literature-based EE.

There can, of course, be exceptions to this rule. If you have a teacher who's passionate and knowledgeable about your topic (as my English teacher was about my theatre topic), you could ask that instructor. Consider all your options before you do this. There was no theatre teacher at my high school, so I couldn't find a theatre-specific advisor, but I chose the next best thing.

Before you approach a teacher to serve as your advisor, check with your high school to see what requirements they have for this process. Some IB high schools require your IB Extended Essay advisor to sign an Agreement Form , for instance.

Make sure that you ask your IB coordinator whether there is any required paperwork to fill out. If your school needs a specific form signed, bring it with you when you ask your teacher to be your EE advisor.

#4: Pick an Advisor Who Will Push You to Be Your Best

Some teachers might just take on students because they have to and aren't very passionate about reading drafts, only giving you minimal feedback. Choose a teacher who will take the time to read several drafts of your essay and give you extensive notes. I would not have gotten my A without being pushed to make my Extended Essay draft better.

Ask a teacher that you have experience with through class or an extracurricular activity. Do not ask a teacher that you have absolutely no connection to. If a teacher already knows you, that means they already know your strengths and weaknesses, so they know what to look for, where you need to improve, and how to encourage your best work.

Also, don't forget that your supervisor's assessment is part of your overall EE score . If you're meeting with someone who pushes you to do better—and you actually take their advice—they'll have more impressive things to say about you than a supervisor who doesn't know you well and isn't heavily involved in your research process.

Be aware that the IB only allows advisors to make suggestions and give constructive criticism. Your teacher cannot actually help you write your EE. The IB recommends that the supervisor spends approximately two to three hours in total with the candidate discussing the EE.

#5: Make Sure Your Essay Has a Clear Structure and Flow

The IB likes structure. Your EE needs a clear introduction (which should be one to two double-spaced pages), research question/focus (i.e., what you're investigating), a body, and a conclusion (about one double-spaced page). An essay with unclear organization will be graded poorly.

The body of your EE should make up the bulk of the essay. It should be about eight to 18 pages long (again, depending on your topic). Your body can be split into multiple parts. For example, if you were doing a comparison, you might have one third of your body as Novel A Analysis, another third as Novel B Analysis, and the final third as your comparison of Novels A and B.

If you're conducting an experiment or analyzing data, such as in this EE , your EE body should have a clear structure that aligns with the scientific method ; you should state the research question, discuss your method, present the data, analyze the data, explain any uncertainties, and draw a conclusion and/or evaluate the success of the experiment.

#6: Start Writing Sooner Rather Than Later!

You will not be able to crank out a 4,000-word essay in just a week and get an A on it. You'll be reading many, many articles (and, depending on your topic, possibly books and plays as well!). As such, it's imperative that you start your research as soon as possible.

Each school has a slightly different deadline for the Extended Essay. Some schools want them as soon as November of your senior year; others will take them as late as February. Your school will tell you what your deadline is. If they haven't mentioned it by February of your junior year, ask your IB coordinator about it.

Some high schools will provide you with a timeline of when you need to come up with a topic, when you need to meet with your advisor, and when certain drafts are due. Not all schools do this. Ask your IB coordinator if you are unsure whether you are on a specific timeline.

Below is my recommended EE timeline. While it's earlier than most schools, it'll save you a ton of heartache (trust me, I remember how hard this process was!):

• January/February of Junior Year: Come up with your final research topic (or at least your top three options).
• February of Junior Year: Approach a teacher about being your EE advisor. If they decline, keep asking others until you find one. See my notes above on how to pick an EE advisor.
• April/May of Junior Year: Submit an outline of your EE and a bibliography of potential research sources (I recommend at least seven to 10) to your EE advisor. Meet with your EE advisor to discuss your outline.
• Summer Between Junior and Senior Year: Complete your first full draft over the summer between your junior and senior year. I know, I know—no one wants to work during the summer, but trust me—this will save you so much stress come fall when you are busy with college applications and other internal assessments for your IB classes. You will want to have this first full draft done because you will want to complete a couple of draft cycles as you likely won't be able to get everything you want to say into 4,000 articulate words on the first attempt. Try to get this first draft into the best possible shape so you don't have to work on too many revisions during the school year on top of your homework, college applications, and extracurriculars.
• August/September of Senior Year: Turn in your first draft of your EE to your advisor and receive feedback. Work on incorporating their feedback into your essay. If they have a lot of suggestions for improvement, ask if they will read one more draft before the final draft.
• September/October of Senior Year: Submit the second draft of your EE to your advisor (if necessary) and look at their feedback. Work on creating the best possible final draft.
• November-February of Senior Year: Schedule your viva voce. Submit two copies of your final draft to your school to be sent off to the IB. You likely will not get your grade until after you graduate.

Remember that in the middle of these milestones, you'll need to schedule two other reflection sessions with your advisor . (Your teachers will actually take notes on these sessions on a form like this one , which then gets submitted to the IB.)

I recommend doing them when you get feedback on your drafts, but these meetings will ultimately be up to your supervisor. Just don't forget to do them!

The early bird DOES get the worm!

How Is the IB Extended Essay Graded?

Extended Essays are graded by examiners appointed by the IB on a scale of 0 to 34 . You'll be graded on five criteria, each with its own set of points. You can learn more about how EE scoring works by reading the IB guide to extended essays .

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

How well you do on each of these criteria will determine the final letter grade you get for your EE. You must earn at least a D to be eligible to receive your IB Diploma.

Although each criterion has a point value, the IB explicitly states that graders are not converting point totals into grades; instead, they're using qualitative grade descriptors to determine the final grade of your Extended Essay . Grade descriptors are on pages 102-103 of this document .

Here's a rough estimate of how these different point values translate to letter grades based on previous scoring methods for the EE. This is just an estimate —you should read and understand the grade descriptors so you know exactly what the scorers are looking for.

Here is the breakdown of EE scores (from the May 2021 bulletin):

How Does the Extended Essay Grade Affect Your IB Diploma?

The Extended Essay grade is combined with your TOK (Theory of Knowledge) grade to determine how many points you get toward your IB Diploma.

To learn about Theory of Knowledge or how many points you need to receive an IB Diploma, read our complete guide to the IB program and our guide to the IB Diploma requirements .

This diagram shows how the two scores are combined to determine how many points you receive for your IB diploma (3 being the most, 0 being the least). In order to get your IB Diploma, you have to earn 24 points across both categories (the TOK and EE). The highest score anyone can earn is 45 points.

Let's say you get an A on your EE and a B on TOK. You will get 3 points toward your Diploma. As of 2014, a student who scores an E on either the extended essay or TOK essay will not be eligible to receive an IB Diploma .

Prior to the class of 2010, a Diploma candidate could receive a failing grade in either the Extended Essay or Theory of Knowledge and still be awarded a Diploma, but this is no longer true.

Figuring out how you're assessed can be a little tricky. Luckily, the IB breaks everything down here in this document . (The assessment information begins on page 219.)

40+ Sample Extended Essays for the IB Diploma Programme

In case you want a little more guidance on how to get an A on your EE, here are over 40 excellent (grade A) sample extended essays for your reading pleasure. Essays are grouped by IB subject.

• Business Management 1
• Chemistry 1
• Chemistry 2
• Chemistry 3
• Chemistry 4
• Chemistry 5
• Chemistry 6
• Chemistry 7
• Computer Science 1
• Economics 1
• Design Technology 1
• Design Technology 2
• Environmental Systems and Societies 1
• Geography 1
• Geography 2
• Geography 3
• Geography 4
• Geography 5
• Geography 6
• Literature and Performance 1
• Mathematics 1
• Mathematics 2
• Mathematics 3
• Mathematics 4
• Mathematics 5
• Philosophy 1
• Philosophy 2
• Philosophy 3
• Philosophy 4
• Philosophy 5
• Psychology 1
• Psychology 2
• Psychology 3
• Psychology 4
• Psychology 5
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 1
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 2
• Social and Cultural Anthropology 3
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 1
• Sports, Exercise and Health Science 2
• Visual Arts 1
• Visual Arts 2
• Visual Arts 3
• Visual Arts 4
• Visual Arts 5
• World Religion 1
• World Religion 2
• World Religion 3

What's Next?

Trying to figure out what extracurriculars you should do? Learn more about participating in the Science Olympiad , starting a club , doing volunteer work , and joining Student Government .

Studying for the SAT? Check out our expert study guide to the SAT . Taking the SAT in a month or so? Learn how to cram effectively for this important test .

Not sure where you want to go to college? Read our guide to finding your target school . Also, determine your target SAT score or target ACT score .

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

As an SAT/ACT tutor, Dora has guided many students to test prep success. She loves watching students succeed and is committed to helping you get there. Dora received a full-tuition merit based scholarship to University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. She is also passionate about acting, writing, and photography.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Extended Essay: Writing an EE Introduction

• General Timeline
• Group 1: English Language and Literature
• Group 2: Language Acquisition
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies
• Group 4: Sciences
• Group 5: Mathematics
• Group 6: The Arts
• Interdisciplinary essays
• Six sub-categories for WSEE
• IB Interdisciplinary EE Assessment Guide
• Brainstorming
• Pre-Writing
• Research Techniques
• The Research Question
• Paraphrasing, Summarising and Quotations

Writing an EE Introduction

• Writing the main body of your EE
• Writing your EE Conclusion
• Sources: Finding, Organising and Evaluating Them
• Conducting Interviews and Surveys
• Citing and Referencing
• Check-in Sessions
• First Formal Reflection
• Second Formal Reflection
• Final Reflection (Viva Voce)
• Researcher's Reflection Space (RRS) Examples
• Information for Supervisors
• How is the EE Graded?
• EE Online Resources
• Stavanger Public Library
• Exemplar Essays
• Extended Essay Presentations
• ISS High School Academic Honesty Policy

The most important thing you need to know about writing your introduction is that it should be written LAST.   Although that sounds counterintuitive, that it is the best way to do it. Simply put, there is just no way to know everything that should go into your introduction until you have completed your research. 

Once you have written the bulk of your paper including your reasoned argument and conclusion, you will then have all the info you need to complete your introduction. 

Here are the basic components of what needs to be included in your EE introduction:

• Academic Context:  You need to show how your question fits into existing knowledge about your topic. 
• Outline of your argument:  Go through your reasoned argument chronologically – in the order it appears in your paper. 
• Scope:   How have you approached your RQ? What types of sources were used – did you use any unconventional methods?
• Worthiness: why is your RQ worthy of investigation?

From the EE Guide:

The introduction should tell the reader what to expect in the essay. The introduction should make clear to the reader the focus of the essay, the scope of the research, in particular an indication of the sources to be used, and an insight into the line of argument to be taken.

While students should have a sense of the direction and key focus of their essay, it is sometimes advisable to finalize the introduction once the body of the essay is complete.

I strongly urge you to read Chapter 5 of the Oxford EE Guide as it gives much more detail about writing your introduction along with examples.

***Remember to state your Research Question clearly in the introduction and remember to do your introduction  LAST ! 

Academic Writing Tips

Formal vs. Informal Writing A chart giving the differences between informal and formal essays in seven areas (author's viewpoint; subject/content (sources of evidence); tone; structure; location of the research question; vocabulary; and purpose. Also included are examples comparing informal and formal writing for essays in English, biology, and psychology.

How to Avoid Colloquial (Informal) Writing   While it may be acceptable in friendly e-mails and chat rooms, excessive colloquialism is a major pitfall that lowers the quality of formal written text. Here are some steps/tips that you can follow to help improve your overall writing.

Elements of Academic Context

•  Evidence that you’ve carefully considered the subject.
• A clear, appropriately qualified thesis
• A response to what others have said
• Good reasons supported by evidence
• Acknowledgement of multiple perspectives
•  Carefully documented sources
• A confidant, authoritative stance
• An indication of why your topic matters
• Careful attention to correctness

From Scotch College

Writing the introduction.

An introduction for an Extended Essay requires students to include the following aspects:

Aside from giving the essay a structural outline that any reader can follow, these aspects also help ensure that expectations for Criterion A (Focus and Method) are met.

Context : Explicitly stating your research question and providing some context that situated your question within existing knowledge is the key to a strong introduction. This does not mean providing detailed background information but rather indicating to an examiner what existing theories, critical approaches , methods or factors have already been suggested or exist to answer your research question.

Outline of the argument : Including the research question in your introduction is a quick way of ensuring you've made clear what you will be focusing on. In addition to this, it allows you to specify which aspects, factors or key features you will be investigating that will help you answer your overall question. Doing this in the order they appear in the main body is advised.

Scope : It is vital that you indicate in your introduction how you've gone about answering your research question. This means indicating to the examiner what source material has been used, or scientific methodologies followed or critical interpretations challenged and so on.

Stating that your essay utilised websites, books and journals is not as good as indicating exactly which authors, theories or methods have been used.

Worthiness : Finally, it is important, to indicate why your research question is worthy of investigation. Using the phrase "this research question is worthy of investigation because..." forces you to consider worthiness by default.

Exemplar of Introduction

Muawiya's accession to the caliphate is a hotly debated topic among historians with some, such as Kennedy, arguing that he owes his elevation to the weakness of opposition as reflected in the figure of Caliph Ali, while others, such as Shaban, arguing that his success owes itself in large measure to the tangible economic benefits that support Muawiya provided the Arab tribes...

... this essay seeks to challenge the orthodox interpretation offered by Kennedy and instead argue that Muawiya's success owes much to the changing socio-economic dynamic among Arab tribesmen within the newly formed Islamic Empire...

... the essay will also simultaneously explore what other factors, including the governorship of Syria, the conflict of Byzantium, the dwindling role of the Ansar, and the role the Kharijites played in helping Muawiya take over the Caliphate while relying on the works of principal historians such as Kennedy, Shaban, Armstrong and Hawting.

... this research question is worthy of investigation because Muawiya's rise to the caliphate marks a significant turning point in the development of the Islamic Empire during the seventh century and beyond. It established the tradition of dynastic and monarchic succession that would become commonplace in the ensuring centuries... the role played by Caliph Ali in supplanting the Rashidun model with a dynastic model is of critical significance to this early medieval period as it created the conditions for the schism between Sunni and Shi'a practices...

Introduction – Roughly 800 words

• Must include the RQ in bold – preferably in the first paragraph
• Context: What key aspects can you discuss to ensure you’ve provided some academic context underpinning your research question?
• For locally based investigations ensure you clearly identify and locate the local context
• Outline of argument: What features, aspects, factors, theories and so forth will your essay utilize in order to arrive at a conclusion?
• Give an overview of methodology and scope – how do you plan to answer the question? What authors, scientists, case studies, theories and so on have been consulted to answer your research question?
• What is the significance of your research? Why is this topic worthy of consideration?

EE Introduction Checklist

→does your introduction include some background information and place the topic in an appropriate context , →is your research question clearly focused, and highlighted in some way (bold, italics, etc), →does your introduction explain the significance and context of your topic (this topic is an important because…), →does your introduction explain why your topic is worthy of investigation , →does your introduction explain how the research question relates to existing knowledge (academic context) , →do you avoid writing lengthy, irrelevant background material, →do you outline a cohesive reasoned argument, →is it clear where your intro ends.

• << Previous: Paraphrasing, Summarising and Quotations
• Next: Writing the main body of your EE >>
• Last Updated: Apr 24, 2024 2:36 PM
• URL: https://isstavanger.libguides.com/c.php?g=695888

How to Write a Psychology Essay

Saul Mcleod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul Mcleod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Learn about our Editorial Process

Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.

On This Page:

Before you write your essay, it’s important to analyse the task and understand exactly what the essay question is asking. Your lecturer may give you some advice – pay attention to this as it will help you plan your answer.

Next conduct preliminary reading based on your lecture notes. At this stage, it’s not crucial to have a robust understanding of key theories or studies, but you should at least have a general “gist” of the literature.

After reading, plan a response to the task. This plan could be in the form of a mind map, a summary table, or by writing a core statement (which encompasses the entire argument of your essay in just a few sentences).

After writing your plan, conduct supplementary reading, refine your plan, and make it more detailed.

It is tempting to skip these preliminary steps and write the first draft while reading at the same time. However, reading and planning will make the essay writing process easier, quicker, and ensure a higher quality essay is produced.

Components of a Good Essay

Now, let us look at what constitutes a good essay in psychology. There are a number of important features.

• Global Structure – structure the material to allow for a logical sequence of ideas. Each paragraph / statement should follow sensibly from its predecessor. The essay should “flow”. The introduction, main body and conclusion should all be linked.
• Each paragraph should comprise a main theme, which is illustrated and developed through a number of points (supported by evidence).
• Knowledge and Understanding – recognize, recall, and show understanding of a range of scientific material that accurately reflects the main theoretical perspectives.
• Critical Evaluation – arguments should be supported by appropriate evidence and/or theory from the literature. Evidence of independent thinking, insight, and evaluation of the evidence.
• Quality of Written Communication – writing clearly and succinctly with appropriate use of paragraphs, spelling, and grammar. All sources are referenced accurately and in line with APA guidelines.

In the main body of the essay, every paragraph should demonstrate both knowledge and critical evaluation.

There should also be an appropriate balance between these two essay components. Try to aim for about a 60/40 split if possible.

Most students make the mistake of writing too much knowledge and not enough evaluation (which is the difficult bit).

It is best to structure your essay according to key themes. Themes are illustrated and developed through a number of points (supported by evidence).

Choose relevant points only, ones that most reveal the theme or help to make a convincing and interesting argument.

Knowledge and Understanding

Remember that an essay is simply a discussion / argument on paper. Don’t make the mistake of writing all the information you know regarding a particular topic.

You need to be concise, and clearly articulate your argument. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences.

Each paragraph should have a purpose / theme, and make a number of points – which need to be support by high quality evidence. Be clear why each point is is relevant to the argument. It would be useful at the beginning of each paragraph if you explicitly outlined the theme being discussed (.e.g. cognitive development, social development etc.).

Try not to overuse quotations in your essays. It is more appropriate to use original content to demonstrate your understanding.

Psychology is a science so you must support your ideas with evidence (not your own personal opinion). If you are discussing a theory or research study make sure you cite the source of the information.

Note this is not the author of a textbook you have read – but the original source / author(s) of the theory or research study.

For example:

Bowlby (1951) claimed that mothering is almost useless if delayed until after two and a half to three years and, for most children, if delayed till after 12 months, i.e. there is a critical period.

Maslow (1943) stated that people are motivated to achieve certain needs. When one need is fulfilled a person seeks to fullfil the next one, and so on.

As a general rule, make sure there is at least one citation (i.e. name of psychologist and date of publication) in each paragraph.

Remember to answer the essay question. Underline the keywords in the essay title. Don’t make the mistake of simply writing everything you know of a particular topic, be selective. Each paragraph in your essay should contribute to answering the essay question.

Critical Evaluation

In simple terms, this means outlining the strengths and limitations of a theory or research study.

There are many ways you can critically evaluate:

Methodological evaluation of research

Is the study valid / reliable ? Is the sample biased, or can we generalize the findings to other populations? What are the strengths and limitations of the method used and data obtained?

Be careful to ensure that any methodological criticisms are justified and not trite.

Rather than hunting for weaknesses in every study; only highlight limitations that make you doubt the conclusions that the authors have drawn – e.g., where an alternative explanation might be equally likely because something hasn’t been adequately controlled.

Compare or contrast different theories

Outline how the theories are similar and how they differ. This could be two (or more) theories of personality / memory / child development etc. Also try to communicate the value of the theory / study.

Debates or perspectives

Refer to debates such as nature or nurture, reductionism vs. holism, or the perspectives in psychology . For example, would they agree or disagree with a theory or the findings of the study?

What are the ethical issues of the research?

Does a study involve ethical issues such as deception, privacy, psychological or physical harm?

Gender bias

If research is biased towards men or women it does not provide a clear view of the behavior that has been studied. A dominantly male perspective is known as an androcentric bias.

Cultural bias

Is the theory / study ethnocentric? Psychology is predominantly a white, Euro-American enterprise. In some texts, over 90% of studies have US participants, who are predominantly white and middle class.

Does the theory or study being discussed judge other cultures by Western standards?

Animal Research

This raises the issue of whether it’s morally and/or scientifically right to use animals. The main criterion is that benefits must outweigh costs. But benefits are almost always to humans and costs to animals.

Animal research also raises the issue of extrapolation. Can we generalize from studies on animals to humans as their anatomy & physiology is different from humans?

The PEC System

It is very important to elaborate on your evaluation. Don’t just write a shopping list of brief (one or two sentence) evaluation points.

Instead, make sure you expand on your points, remember, quality of evaluation is most important than quantity.

When you are writing an evaluation paragraph, use the PEC system.

• Make your P oint.
• E xplain how and why the point is relevant.
• Discuss the C onsequences / implications of the theory or study. Are they positive or negative?

For Example

• Point: It is argued that psychoanalytic therapy is only of benefit to an articulate, intelligent, affluent minority.
• Explain: Because psychoanalytic therapy involves talking and gaining insight, and is costly and time-consuming, it is argued that it is only of benefit to an articulate, intelligent, affluent minority. Evidence suggests psychoanalytic therapy works best if the client is motivated and has a positive attitude.
• Consequences: A depressed client’s apathy, flat emotional state, and lack of motivation limit the appropriateness of psychoanalytic therapy for depression.

Furthermore, the levels of dependency of depressed clients mean that transference is more likely to develop.

Using Research Studies in your Essays

Research studies can either be knowledge or evaluation.

• If you refer to the procedures and findings of a study, this shows knowledge and understanding.
• If you comment on what the studies shows, and what it supports and challenges about the theory in question, this shows evaluation.

Writing an Introduction

It is often best to write your introduction when you have finished the main body of the essay, so that you have a good understanding of the topic area.

If there is a word count for your essay try to devote 10% of this to your introduction.

Ideally, the introduction should;

Identify the subject of the essay and define the key terms. Highlight the major issues which “lie behind” the question. Let the reader know how you will focus your essay by identifying the main themes to be discussed. “Signpost” the essay’s key argument, (and, if possible, how this argument is structured).

Introductions are very important as first impressions count and they can create a h alo effect in the mind of the lecturer grading your essay. If you start off well then you are more likely to be forgiven for the odd mistake later one.

Writing a Conclusion

So many students either forget to write a conclusion or fail to give it the attention it deserves.

If there is a word count for your essay try to devote 10% of this to your conclusion.

Ideally the conclusion should summarize the key themes / arguments of your essay. State the take home message – don’t sit on the fence, instead weigh up the evidence presented in the essay and make a decision which side of the argument has more support.

Also, you might like to suggest what future research may need to be conducted and why (read the discussion section of journal articles for this).

Don”t include new information / arguments (only information discussed in the main body of the essay).

If you are unsure of what to write read the essay question and answer it in one paragraph.

Points that unite or embrace several themes can be used to great effect as part of your conclusion.

The Importance of Flow

Obviously, what you write is important, but how you communicate your ideas / arguments has a significant influence on your overall grade. Most students may have similar information / content in their essays, but the better students communicate this information concisely and articulately.

When you have finished the first draft of your essay you must check if it “flows”. This is an important feature of quality of communication (along with spelling and grammar).

This means that the paragraphs follow a logical order (like the chapters in a novel). Have a global structure with themes arranged in a way that allows for a logical sequence of ideas. You might want to rearrange (cut and paste) paragraphs to a different position in your essay if they don”t appear to fit in with the essay structure.

To improve the flow of your essay make sure the last sentence of one paragraph links to first sentence of the next paragraph. This will help the essay flow and make it easier to read.

Finally, only repeat citations when it is unclear which study / theory you are discussing. Repeating citations unnecessarily disrupts the flow of an essay.

Referencing

The reference section is the list of all the sources cited in the essay (in alphabetical order). It is not a bibliography (a list of the books you used).

In simple terms every time you cite/refer to a name (and date) of a psychologist you need to reference the original source of the information.

If you have been using textbooks this is easy as the references are usually at the back of the book and you can just copy them down. If you have been using websites, then you may have a problem as they might not provide a reference section for you to copy.

References need to be set out APA style :

Author, A. A. (year). Title of work . Location: Publisher.

Journal Articles

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (year). Article title. Journal Title, volume number (issue number), page numbers

A simple way to write your reference section is use Google scholar . Just type the name and date of the psychologist in the search box and click on the “cite” link.

Next, copy and paste the APA reference into the reference section of your essay.

Once again, remember that references need to be in alphabetical order according to surname.

Tips for writing an EE in Psychology

“Extended essay” – It’s funny how the mere mention of these two words can send a shiver running down the spine of IB students. Writing a 4000-word essay can seem like a daunting task, especially if you haven’t had the experience of writing an academic research paper. But unfamiliarity doesn’t necessarily have to be synonymous with dread. In fact, writing the extended essay can be an extremely insightful and interesting adventure if you pick a topic and a subject that you absolutely love. For me that was Psychology, and here are my tips on how to write a Psychology EE.

1. Talk to seniors who have written their EE in Psychology

Always remember that anyone who has written an EE will be willing to help a junior because they have been in your position. I asked my seniors questions such as “ how was your experience with the Psychology EE supervisor ?”, “how long did it take you to write the first draft”, and where did they find their studies from? Getting to know about their experience helped me get a better understanding of what I was putting myself into and made me feel prepared to start with my EE. 

2. Document everything

I used a padlet to brainstorm all of my ideas and jot down every idea that “sparked joy” inside me. The human brain isn’t capable of absorbing every single piece of information, making it extremely important to write things down so that ideas don’t simply slip away from your mind. Using a vision board , post its, or a padlet can help you create a visual representation of your brainstorming process. 

Documenting your thoughts and steps of the process will also help you write reflections and prepare for your viva after you are done writing your EE.

Here is the link to my padlet which was my life saviour. 10/10 would recommend! 

3. Stay Organized

In my opinion, writing the actual EE is much easier than the preparation that leads up to it. You might feel overwhelmed with the sheer amount of research studies; to tackle the stress, follow the following steps:

Step 1: Always bookmark webpages and journal articles that you think can support your claims and counterclaims for the EE. 

Step 2: Keep a master google doc where you log every link or information that you use. This will make sure that everything that you come across is accessible to you. It might become an extremely long document but that’s fine because you will cut out the irrelevant bits and pieces later on.

Step 3: Go through the google doc and highlight the studies that are relevant to your research question. My research question was “ to what extent is EMDR an efficacious treatment for PTSD caused due to sexual assault in adults.” I had to make sure that I only selected studies which focused on PTSD, had used EMDR and had been conducted on adults – these criteria helped me shortlist my research material.

Step 4: Once you have your shortlist, create a spreadsheet where you enter the following information: 

i) Name of the research study/article

ii) Name of the authors

iii)Link from where you accessed the study

This is what my spreadsheet of sources looked like for reference

Doing so will help you cite your sources in your bibliography to avoid plagiarism!

4. Start writing!

I know how daunting a blank google doc can seem, but the only way to move forward is to actually start writing. Like seriously, just write the first page – choose a font (Times New Roman for the win), write the subject in which you’re doing your EE, your Research Question, IB session and word count- with double spacing . Doing just this much will make you feel like a professional. After this, set small deadlines for yourself. Spend a few days writing your introduction, spend some time writing about a few studies and before you know you will have a rough draft. It doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to exist; you can always edit it later. 

Think of writing a Psych EE as writing a bunch of essay response questions, you have practised enough of those and this is no different! And for the moments when it just seems to be too much work? Step back, let your EE breathe and come back to it after some time, it may provide a different perspective! Most importantly, believe in yourself! You’ve got this. It might seem impossible and you might be intimidated by the number of words you have to write but trust me you can do this and you can do it well!*virtual hugs*

You may also like…

• Nanami’s advice for an EE in Economics .
• Tiffany’s tips on scoring high on a Physics EE .

Share this:

Leave a reply cancel reply, discover more from iblieve.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Extended essay

The extended essay is an independent, self-directed piece of research, finishing with a 4,000-word paper.

One component of the International Baccalaureate® (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) core, the extended essay is mandatory for all students.

Read about the extended essay  in greater detail.

You can also read about how the IB sets deadlines for the extended essay , find examples of extended essay titles from previous DP students and learn about the world studies extended essay .

Learn more about the extended essay in a DP workshop for teachers . 

DP subject briefs

Find out about what each subject offers within the Diploma Programme (DP).

Our DP subject briefs—for both standard and higher level—contain information about core requirements, aims and assessment.

• Explore the DP subject briefs

Essay Writing

An essay is a formal piece of writing that methodically analyses and evaluates a topic or issue. It is designed to give a reasoned, thoughtful and objective opinion on the issue, and is a formal piece of writing which typically includes an introduction, body and conclusion. A detailed description of an essay structure (provided by the State Library of Victoria) and an example of an excellent psychology essay (provided by the International Baccalaureate) are outlined below, and further information can be found in the links (here):

• Research Scaffold

Introduction

Your introduction should:

• establish and explain your argument
• define any complex words in the question
• give any background information needed for your argument to make sense
• be one or two paragraphs long.

The best introductions quickly establish the argument and grab the reader's attention. Although all introductions need to follow a similar formula, there are ways to make your introduction a bit different and more interesting.  (Ergo, 2016)

There are usually 3–6 paragraphs in the body of an essay, and each paragraph should:

• present one new idea that adds to your argument
• start with a topic sentence summarising the main idea for discussion
• follow with an example and a brief explanation of how the point adds to your argument
• be connected by a linking sentence describing the relationship between the two paragraphs. ( Ergo, 2016 )

The first sentence in each paragraph is called a topic sentence. Topic sentences:

• explain the point you're going to make in the paragraph
• are clear and concise
• link back to your argument and introduction
• build on the points made in the previous paragraphs
• when read together, summarise your argument.

If you recorded your key points in your essay plan, you've already written your topic sentences. Take your key points, write them in a single sentence and then write a paragraph discussing each one. ( Ergo, 2016 ).

Your conclusion is the last paragraph of your essay and the last thing your reader will read, so it needs to be memorable. A conclusion:

• links back to the introduction
• summarises your key points
• restates your main idea
• should never contain any new information.

Once you've covered these basic elements, think about the ‘So what?' factor – whether your essay stands out from the crowd. Ask yourself:

Why should anyone care about what I've written in this essay? 

How do my ideas add to what we know about the topic?

If you can answer these questions, you're on your way to a great essay.  ( Ergo, 2016 )

Introduction - Example

Autism is a common disorder affecting 1 child in every 166 (Centres for disease control and prevention (CDC), 2006). According to the American Psychiatric association, it is defined by impairment in social interaction and communication skills, as well as an occurrence of repetitive behaviour (APA, 2000). A child diagnosed with autism can debatably obtain normal functioning through measures of therapy, and thus recover from the disorder. Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is a widely known treatment for autism. The goal of ABA intervention is to enable an autistic child to best function independently and successfully in various environments (Green, Taylor, Luce, & Krantz, 2005). ABA is most successful in combination with early intervention. At a younger age, the brain is at a more adaptable state. According to research, ABA in unison with early intervention allows, in most cases, for a decrease in the severity of autistic characteristics. The extent to which Applied Behaviour Analysis is effective in treating autism is discussed.

Body - First Paragraph Example

Autism is classified as a pervasive development disorder(PDD) due to three common features that appear during early stages of life. These three characteristics are “impaired reciprocal social interaction, impaired communication skills, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behaviour, interests and activities” (Berkell, 1999, p.7). The diagnostic features of autism are best described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV-TR. At least six of the criteria must be present for the diagnosis of autism. Of these six, additional requirements exist in each area. Impairment in social interaction is one key feature of autism. This can be marked by abnormal nonverbal behaviours, such as eye contact, facial expression, and body gesture or postures. Failure to develop appropriate peer relationships for age and development, and lack of spontaneous sharing of interests or achievements are two additional examples that demonstrate impaired social interaction. Furthermore, a lack of “social or emotional reciprocity” mark this impairment (APA, 2000, p.70). A child must have at least two of these social criterions in order to be considered autistic (APA, 2000).

Conclusion - Example

Applied Behaviour Analysis appears to be a therapy that works well with the diagnosis of autism. Awareness of case studies, along with personal success stories, can give hope to parents and doctors. Although ABA should never be viewed as a cure, it can help to alleviate characteristics of autism. Therapists and parents must be dedicated to the case at hand, and if so, some improvement can be made. ABA is a recommendable therapy because of the chance of recovery, which is every parent’s dream.

IB Psychology EE examples

Filter exemplars, to what extent does global self-esteem influence academic performance, to what extent is mental cognitive specific imagery an effective strategy in enhancing skill specific performance for individual athletes, want to get full marks for your ee allow us to review it for you 🎯, how does maintaining high levels of oxytocin would influence positive behaviors that impact the longevity of romantic relationships in adults, how does major depressive disorder impact the academic performance of youth, to what extent do the big five personality traits play a role in predicting the risk of alzheimer’s disease, fast track your coursework with mark schemes moderated by ib examiners. upgrade now 🚀, to what extent do genetics play a role in male homosexuality, to what extent does conflict contribute to the effectiveness of teamwork, to what extent does intensive care treatment lead to the development of ptsd post- discharge, to what extent does oxytocin affect interpersonal trust in young adults, to what extent do social networking sites increase rates of anxiety in adolescents, how could family-based therapies such as cff-cbt, fft, and fft-hr be implemented in the treatment of pediatric bipolar disorder, to what extent is group art therapy effective in treating the negative effects of schizophrenia, to what extent is bilingualism an additive advantage in accelerating cognitive development during early childhood, to what extent do violent video-games increase aggressive behaviour in adolescents, to what extent was age a significant predictor of the subjective feeling of the passage of time during the covid-19 pandemic, to what extent is the use of psilocybin an effective therapeutic approach in patients suffering from treatment-resistant depression (trd), to what extent does music influence the different components of working memory, an analysis of the impact of social and emotional impairment on children with adhd, social media use and mental health during covid-19, to what extent is cognitive-behavioral therapy (cbt) a more effective intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd) in adults compared to prolonged exposure therapy (pe), to what extent is art therapy effective in treating anxiety, analysis of sociocultural effects - western media on the etiology of anorexia nervosa present in adolescent females, to what extent is exposure to corporal punishment before preadolescence correlated with decreased emotional regulation, to what extent do violent video games contribute to aggressive behaviour in adolescents, how effective is debiasing in reducing the influence of cognitive biases in decision making, to what extent can the infliction of corporal punishment by parents cause aggression in children, to what extent does lack of support influence the development of depressive symptoms in transgender people among other sociocultural factors, to what extent does stress negatively influence an individual’s performance on examinations, how do action video games influence the cognitive processes of memory and attention, practice essay: to what extent does mass media play a role in normalizing unethical food choices, to what extent is schizophrenia developed through inheritance, ee draft: integration of societal factors within the lives of adolescents: analysis on mental and physical well-being, to what extent does autism play a role in the onset of depression, to what extent are immigrant adolescents more susceptible to internalizing behaviours.

Extended Essay Writers

How to Write a Psychology Extended Essay? Insights From an IB Writer

Luke MacQuoid

Writing an exceptional Psychology extended essay that adheres to general IB criteria is challenging and rewarding. Over the years, I’ve gathered valuable insights into this process, and I’m excited to share my tips and strategies with IB students.

In this article, I’ll provide a roadmap for success, covering essential aspects such as selecting your topic, conducting research, and structuring your essay.

Understanding the Psychology Extended Essay

A Psychology extended essay is a significant research project that IB (International Baccalaureate) students undertake as part of their IB Diploma program. It’s an in-depth investigation into a specific psychological topic or question, allowing students to apply their knowledge and research skills more independently and extensively.

The assessment criteria for the Psychology extended essay are divided into five categories:

• Focus and method (6 points).
• Knowledge and understanding (6 points).
• Critical thinking (12 points).
• Presentation (4 points).
• Engagement (6 points).

In the IB program, you can earn a maximum of 34 points when you write your Psychology extended essay. Combined with the ones you get from your TOK and CAS activities, they make up your total IB Diploma score .

Now, let’s talk about the word count for your Psychology extended essay. Your work should be around 3,000 to 4,000 words long. It includes all the writing in the central part of your essay, but it doesn’t count things like the abstract, table of contents, footnotes, bibliography, or any appendices you might have.

Choosing the Right Psychology Extended Essay Topic

Choosing the perfect Psychology extended essay topic is crucial to shaping your research process. I will give you some valuable tips that will make it easier for you to pick an excellent topic for further investigation.

Psychology Extended Essay Research Questions

According to the general IB criteria, the primary focus of your work should be on Psychology extended essay research questions. They should not be buried within your text but prominently featured in your introduction. It not only aligns with academic standards but also piques the reader’s interest from the very beginning.

For instance, consider the research question: “What are the key psychological factors influencing adolescent decision-making?” This thought-provoking issue is not only relevant but also captivating. It invites readers into the intriguing world of Psychology.

How to Find Ideal Psychology Extended Essay Topics IB

Here are some valuable tips to help you refine your focus and choose a topic that genuinely resonates with your academic interests and the Psychology extended essay rubric :

• Start by contemplating your interests within this field. What topics or areas have captivated your curiosity during your coursework?
• Your IB Psychology teacher is an invaluable resource. Seek their guidance and expertise when brainstorming potential topics.
• Ensure that your chosen topic aligns with the assessment criteria, especially the emphasis on research questions. It will help you stay on track and meet IB standards.
• Think about the feasibility of your chosen topic. Do you have access to the necessary resources, data, or participants to conduct research?
• Start with a broader topic area and gradually narrow it down to a specific research question.
• Before finalizing your topic, consider conducting some initial research. It will help you gauge the availability of information and whether the topic is a viable option.

If you want more ideas for Psychology extended essay topics , follow the link to find more information on our blog.

Psychology Extended Essay Research Sources

When conducting research for your Psychology extended essay, gathering information from various credible sources to support your arguments and provide a well-rounded understanding of your chosen topic is essential.

Academic Journals

Academic journals are rich sources of peer-reviewed research articles. Options like the “ Journal of Abnormal Psychology ,” “ Psychological Review ,” and “ Psychological Bulletin ” often contain in-depth studies and findings on various psychological topics.

Textbooks and scholarly books written by renowned psychologists provide comprehensive background information and theories about your topic. Look for books by authors such as Sigmund Freud, B.F. Based on your specific area of interest, Skinner, Jean Piaget, or Erik Erikson.

Use online databases like PubMed , PsycINFO , and Google Scholar to search for academic articles, research papers, and dissertations related to your research question. These databases offer a vast collection of scholarly resources.

University/School Libraries

I highly recommend using your university’s or local library’s psychology section. Libraries often provide access to various print and electronic resources, including books, journals, and databases.

Government Publications

Government agencies publish reports and studies on various psychological topics, such as the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) or the World Health Organization (WHO). In my experience, these reports often contain valuable statistics and research findings.

Professional Organizations

Not all students use these resources, but I recommend checking it out. Websites of associations like the American Psychological Association (APA) or the British Psychological Society (BPS) offer valuable resources, including research articles, guidelines, and reports related to Psychology.

Interviews and Surveys

If your research involves gathering primary data, consider conducting interviews or surveys with experts or individuals related to your topic. Trust me, it will give a whole new color to your work. Ensure that you obtain informed consent and follow ethical guidelines for data collection.

Structuring Your Psychology Extended Essay

A well-structured essay aligns with the Psychology extended essay rubric and facilitates a coherent presentation of your ideas and arguments. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the components of an effective structure.

Introduction: Setting the Stage

The beginning of your extended essay is like a front door. It’s where you start your research and get your readers interested.

First, you should quickly examine the crucial ideas, theories, or research of your topic. This helps your readers understand what your research is about. Next, you need to state your main point clearly and simply (it’s your thesis). Make sure it connects to your research questions and gives a sense of what your essay will be like. It sets the tone for the whole essay.

Body Paragraphs: Developing Your Arguments

The body of your extended essay is where you’ll present your research, analyze findings, and develop your arguments:

• Divide your text into clear, logically structured subsections corresponding to the different aspects or arguments of your topic. Each subsection should have a clear purpose and contribute to your overall thesis.
• Cite relevant research studies, experiments, or data to support your arguments. Analyze and interpret this evidence critically, demonstrating your understanding of the topic.
• Incorporate transition words and phrases to ensure smooth flow between paragraphs and subsections. It enhances readability and aligns with the general IB criteria for clarity.

Also, remember to address counterarguments when applicable. Acknowledging opposing viewpoints and providing counter-evidence demonstrates a well-rounded analysis.

Conclusion: Summarizing Your Findings

The end of your essay is like the finish line. It’s where you wrap things up nicely for your readers. Start by repeating your main point, which is called your thesis. Then, discuss the essential things you found and learned in your essay. But don’t bring in new stuff here.

To get a perfect grade , you should also talk about why your research matters in the big picture of Psychology. How does it add to what we already know? End with something that makes your readers think or feel strongly. That’s how you leave a mark on them.

Writing a Psychology Extended Essay: Final Tips

In the final stretch of writing your Psychology extended essay, several critical considerations make a substantial difference in the quality and integrity of your work.

Talking about plagiarism is really important. It’s like a big problem that can get you in trouble at school. When you use someone else’s ideas, research, or words, you must give them credit by correctly citing them. You must also carefully and consistently use the proper citation style for extended essay Psychology (APA or MLA).

Also, remember that editing and proofreading are equally paramount. These processes are not just about catching typos or grammatical errors; they are the final touches that polish your essay to a high standard. When reviewing your work, focus on your arguments’ clarity, coherence, and logical flow.

Need help with your IB extended essay?

From research and analysis to structuring and editing, our skilled mentors will be by your side, helping you craft an exceptional extended essay that not only meets the wordcount and stringent IB criteria but also reflects your passion for selected IB group .

Lastly, the IB Psychology extended essay examples can serve as valuable guides. They offer structural models, inspire research questions, and provide an understanding of the expectations outlined in this rubric. However, remember that your essay must be an original piece of work. While examples can guide you, ensure that your content is your creation and that you conduct your research independently.

To Sum It Up

Here, we come to the final part of our Psychology extended essay guide. Such a paper is a valuable component of the IB Diploma Program, providing students with a unique opportunity to explore a specific psychological topic in depth, develop essential research and critical thinking skills, and prepare for higher education.

By following these tips from my experience , you’ll be well on your way to writing an exceptional IB Psychology extended essay that meets academic standards and earns a high grade. Good luck with your writing! ANd if you need assistance – Extended Essay Writers will always cover your back!

Luke MacQuoid has extensive experience teaching English as a foreign language in Japan, having worked with students of all ages for over 12 years. Currently, he is teaching at the tertiary level. Luke holds a BA from the University of Sussex and an MA in TESOL from Lancaster University, both located in England. As well to his work as an IB Examiner and Master Tutor, Luke also enjoys sharing his experiences and insights with others through writing articles for various websites, including extendedessaywriters.com blog

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

IBDP Psychology

Website by John Crane

Updated 26 April 2024

InThinking Subject Sites

Subscription websites for IB teachers & their classes

Find out more

• thinkib.net
• IBDP Biology
• IBDP Business Management
• IBDP Chemistry
• IBDP Economics
• IBDP English A Literature
• IBDP English A: Language & Literature
• IBDP English B
• IBDP Environmental Systems & Societies
• IBDP French B
• IBDP Geography
• IBDP German A: Language & Literature
• IBDP History
• IBDP Maths: Analysis & Approaches
• IBDP Maths: Applications & Interpretation
• IBDP Physics
• IBDP Spanish A
• IBDP Spanish Ab Initio
• IBDP Spanish B
• IBDP Visual Arts
• IBMYP English Language & Literature
• IBMYP Resources
• IBMYP Spanish Language Acquisition
• IB Career-related Programme
• IB School Leadership

Disclaimer : InThinking subject sites are neither endorsed by nor connected with the International Baccalaureate Organisation.

InThinking Subject Sites for IB Teachers and their Classes

Supporting ib educators.

• Comprehensive help & advice on teaching the IB diploma.
• Written by experts with vast subject knowledge.
• Innovative ideas on ATL & pedagogy.
• Detailed guidance on all aspects of assessment.

Developing great materials

• More than 14 million words across 24 sites.
• Masses of ready-to-go resources for the classroom.
• Dynamic links to current affairs & real world issues.
• Updates every week 52 weeks a year.

Integrating student access

• Give your students direct access to relevant site pages.
• Single student login for all of your school’s subscriptions.
• Create reading, writing, discussion, and quiz tasks.
• Monitor student progress & collate in online gradebook.

Meeting schools' needs

• Global reach with more than 200,000 users worldwide.
• Use our materials to create compelling unit plans.
• Save time & effort which you can reinvest elsewhere.
• Consistently good feedback from subscribers.

For information about pricing, click here

Download brochure

See what users are saying about our Subject Sites:

Find out more about our Student Access feature:

• EE introductions
• Extended Essay
• Writing the Extended Essay

The introduction is a very important part of your extended essay. It has the important role of framing the argument for your paper. It tells the reader what the paper is about and what the position of the paper will be. It also makes important clarifications in order to set limits on what will be discussed. Finally, the introduction should catch the reader’s attention.Please read the following introduction. Please...

To access the entire contents of this site, you need to log in or subscribe to it.

Alternatively, you can request a one month free trial .

• Bipolar Disorder
• Therapy Center
• When To See a Therapist
• Types of Therapy
• Best Online Therapy
• Best Couples Therapy
• Best Family Therapy
• Managing Stress
• Sleep and Dreaming
• Understanding Emotions
• Self-Improvement
• Healthy Relationships
• Student Resources
• Personality Types
• Guided Meditations
• Verywell Mind Insights
• 2023 Verywell Mind 25
• Mental Health in the Classroom
• Editorial Process
• Meet Our Review Board
• Crisis Support

How to Write an Introduction for a Psychology Paper

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

• Writing Tips

If you are writing a psychology paper, it is essential to kick things off with a strong introduction. The introduction to a psychology research paper helps your readers understand why the topic is important and what they need to know before they delve deeper.

Your goal in this section is to introduce the topic to the reader, provide an overview of previous research on the topic, and identify your own hypothesis .

At a Glance

Writing a great introduction can be a great foundation for the rest of your psychology paper. To create a strong intro:

• Research your topic
• Outline your paper
• Introduce your topic
• Summarize the previous research
• Present your hypothesis or main argument

Before You Write an Introduction

There are some important steps you need to take before you even begin writing your introduction. To know what to write, you need to collect important background information and create a detailed plan.

Research Your Topic

Search a journal database, PsychInfo or ERIC, to find articles on your subject. Once you have located an article, look at the reference section to locate other studies cited in the article. As you take notes from these articles, be sure to write down where you found the information.

A simple note detailing the author's name, journal, and date of publication can help you keep track of sources and avoid plagiarism.

Create a Detailed Outline

This is often one of the most boring and onerous steps, so students tend to skip outlining and go straight to writing. Creating an outline might seem tedious, but it can be an enormous time-saver down the road and will make the writing process much easier.

Start by looking over the notes you made during the research process and consider how you want to present all of your ideas and research.

Introduce the Topic

Once you are ready to write your introduction, your first task is to provide a brief description of the research question. What is the experiment or study attempting to demonstrate? What phenomena are you studying? Provide a brief history of your topic and explain how it relates to your current research.

As you are introducing your topic, consider what makes it important. Why should it matter to your reader? The goal of your introduction is not only to let your reader know what your paper is about, but also to justify why it is important for them to learn more.

If your paper tackles a controversial subject and is focused on resolving the issue, it is important to summarize both sides of the controversy in a fair and impartial way. Consider how your paper fits in with the relevant research on the topic.

The introduction of a research paper is designed to grab interest. It should present a compelling look at the research that already exists and explain to readers what questions your own paper will address.

Summarize Previous Research

The second task of your introduction is to provide a well-rounded summary of previous research that is relevant to your topic. So, before you begin to write this summary, it is important to research your topic thoroughly.

Finding appropriate sources amid thousands of journal articles can be a daunting task, but there are several steps you can take to simplify your research. If you have completed the initial steps of researching and keeping detailed notes, writing your introduction will be much easier.

It is essential to give the reader a good overview of the historical context of the issue you are writing about, but do not feel like you must provide an exhaustive review of the subject. Focus on hitting the main points, and try to include the most relevant studies.

You might describe previous research findings and then explain how the current study differs or expands upon earlier research.

Provide Your Hypothesis

Once you have summarized the previous research, explain areas where the research is lacking or potentially flawed. What is missing from previous studies on your topic? What research questions have yet to be answered? Your hypothesis should lead to these questions.

At the end of your introduction, offer your hypothesis and describe what you expected to find in your experiment or study.

The introduction should be relatively brief. You want to give your readers an overview of a topic, explain why you are addressing it, and provide your arguments.

Tips for Writing Your Psychology Paper Intro

• Use 3x5 inch note cards to write down notes and sources.
• Look in professional psychology journals for examples of introductions.
• Remember to cite your sources.
• Maintain a working bibliography with all of the sources you might use in your final paper. This will make it much easier to prepare your reference section later on.
• Use a copy of the APA style manual to ensure that your introduction and references are in proper APA format .

What This Means For You

Before you delve into the main body of your paper, you need to give your readers some background and present your main argument in the introduction of you paper. You can do this by first explaining what your topic is about, summarizing past research, and then providing your thesis.

Armağan A. How to write an introduction section of a scientific article ?  Turk J Urol . 2013;39(Suppl 1):8-9. doi:10.5152/tud.2013.046

Fried T, Foltz C, Lendner M, Vaccaro AR. How to write an effective introduction .  Clin Spine Surg . 2019;32(3):111-112. doi:10.1097/BSD.0000000000000714

Jawaid SA, Jawaid M. How to write introduction and discussion .  Saudi J Anaesth . 2019;13(Suppl 1):S18-S19. doi:10.4103/sja.SJA_584_18

American Psychological Association. Information Recommended for Inclusion in Manuscripts That Report New Data Collections Regardless of Research Design . Published 2020.

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Global main menu

• School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences
• Undergraduate
• Undergraduate degrees

Extended Essay in Psychology

Module code: PSY606

Credits: 15.0 Semester: YEAR

Contact: Prof David Clayton Overlap: None Prerequisite: None

Connected course(s): UDF DATA Assessment: 100.0% Coursework Level: 6

Guide to the IB Extended Essay in 2024

January 24, 2024

If you’re an International Baccalaureate student getting ready to write your IB Extended Essay, you might be experiencing some very understandable trepidation. But have no fear—we’re here to help you understand what’s required of you, how to plan ahead (IB extended essay topics), and how you’ll be graded (IB extended essay rubric). Keep reading for a good dose of preparation and confidence before you begin the journey. In this article, we’ll cover:

What is the IB Extended Essay?

The ib extended essay—required content, ib extended essay topics.

IB Extended Essay—Sample Essays

IB Extended Essay Tips

Ib extended essay rubric, ib extended essay—more resources.

The IB Extended Essay is a 4,000-word paper that asks you to immerse yourself in research and academic writing. A required part of the IB program, the Extended Essay is a chance to dig deep into a topic that fascinates you.

Although it’s no small task, the IB Extended Essay is an opportunity to gain practical research and writing skills that will come in handy again in college. As you write, you’ll learn how to:

• Identify credible sources
• Formulate a research question and limit your scope of research
• Communicate ideas to an audience
• Develop a well-supported argument

The IB Extended Essay is largely an independent, self-directed project, but don’t worry—the IB program doesn’t throw you into the deep end. You do get to select a mentor (usually a teacher at your school) to help guide you through the process. As you write, you’ll be required to meet with your mentor three times. As part of your final evaluation, your mentor will interview you in a final reflection section called a viva voce . During the viva voce, your mentor will check for plagiarism and malpractice, ask you to reflect on challenges and difficulties, and prompt you to discuss what you’ve learned through the research and writing process. Your mentor will then generate a report that factors into your final grade.

Your final essay must include the following:

• Contents page
• Introduction
• Body of the essay
• References and bibliography

For this essay, it will be up to you to generate a topic; the International Baccalaureate does not provide prompts. However, your essay will need to fit within one of six provided subject areas . You’ll choose from the following list of IB Extended Essay Topics:

• Language and literature
• Language acquisition
• Individuals and societies
• Mathematics

IB Extended Essay Topics (Continued)

At a glance, the subject areas might look limited, but the topics you can choose to write about are actually wide-ranging. The “Individuals and societies” category includes social science topics like economics, history, world religions, and philosophy. And, if you’re leaning toward “Science,” you can choose from classic subjects such as biology, chemistry, and physics, or related topics like environmental systems or health science, among others.

The IB also offers a special “World Studies” option for students interested in researching global issues. This subject would allow you to center your writing on global issues such as migration, global health, cultural exchange, or climate change.

Wondering what an outstanding IB Extended Essay looks like? The International Baccalaureate provides quite a few sample student essays online . Here are five essays that earned A grades.

Language and literature: An exploration of an aspect of the narrative voice in Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita

Environmental Systems and Societies: The economic impact of the 1995 reintroduction of grey wolves to Yellowstone National Park

Psychology: To what extent do social networking sites (SNS) usage lead to experience of anxiety in adolescents?

Music: Composition techniques in the 1st movement of Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 2, Op. 73

Business Management: Corporate Culture at Oracle

1) Pick something you’re passionate about

As you can see from the titles above, the IB Extended Essay is a great place to delve into a niche topic that fascinates you. Since you’ll be spending many months on this essay, you’ll want to pick a topic you genuinely enjoy spending time learning about. It’s also smart to choose something you’ve already learned about in your IB classes so that you have a strong foundation of knowledge to start with. In music class, do you love pondering why music makes us feel a certain way? Maybe an essay about music theory will keep your gears turning. Do you come alive trying to solve seemingly impossible problems in physics class? Now’s your chance to put those equations into action.

Since this essay is all about your academic interests, it’s also a good idea to pick a topic that’s relevant to what you plan to study in college. Selecting a relevant topic will provide you with significant exposure to the field and will also give you something meaningful to talk about in your college admissions essays.

2) Limit your scope

What’s the meaning of life? Why do wars happen? What is time? Some questions are just way too big to answer, and your IB Extended Essay is not a good place to tackle expansive, philosophical questions. Instead, think of this essay as a place to investigate one piece of a big question. If, let’s say, you’re generally interested in what helps women reach positions of leadership in business, this is a good place to examine how one or a few companies approach this issue. Or, if you’re interested in studying what inspires surrealist painters, you’ll want to pick one or a few painters to research, likely all from the same time period. For both these topics, you’d need a whole textbook to tackle the full question, but limiting your scope will make it much easier to write a clear and cohesive 4,000 words.

On the other hand, it’s possible to narrow your focus too much. It would be impossible, for example, to write 4,000 words about a single sentence in a novel. Make sure you talk about scope early and often with your mentor. Together, you can find the perfect Goldilocks scope for your project that’s not too big and not too small.

3) Choose a good mentor

Speaking of mentors, choosing wisely will help you enormously as you embark on your IB Extended Essay. You’ll want to make sure you choose someone with existing knowledge in your research topic. Your English teacher may be able to give you great writing advice, for example, but they won’t be able to guide your research and scope if you’re writing about marine animals or modern dance.

Before you approach a teacher, make sure you have at least one topic idea (or even a few ideas) in mind so that you can make sure they’ll be a good fit to supervise your project. When you meet with them, find out what their mentorship style is like. Make sure they’ll have time to read several drafts of your essays, meet with you a few times, and give you feedback. Some IB schools will require your IB Extended Essay mentor to sign an agreement form too, so make sure you find out what paperwork is required in advance.

4) Get organized, way organized

The IB Extended Essay is not something you can crank out the night before it’s due. The essay is meant to be a substantive, in-depth, thoughtful, and thoroughly researched analysis, and Rome simply isn’t built in a day. This might be the longest paper you’ve written to date, and this project might require more research than you’ve been asked to do before. Timelines vary by school, but you’ll likely spend between eight months and a year working on your IB Extended Essay. So, how will you pull it all off? For these 8-12 months, organization will be your guiding light. We recommend you:

• Get started early. If your essay is due November of your senior year, start generating topic ideas during your junior year right after winter break.
• Create a long-view schedule for yourself. What will you accomplish each month of your process?
• Give yourself deadlines. Once you choose a mentor, suggest 2-3 draft deadline dates so that you will be held accountable throughout the writing process.
• Find a note-taking system that works for you. You’ll be reading many articles and books and it’s hard to keep track of all your sources. Create a document or spreadsheet where you keep track of the sources you’ve found and check them off as you read. As you finish reading a text, type up important quotes and a few notes explaining how it connects to your topic and to your other texts.

5)Write a messy first draft

Writing never comes out perfect the first time, even for New York Times bestselling authors and the most experienced researchers. In your first draft, give yourself permission to get all your thoughts out, no matter how unstructured or rambling they are. Call this your brainstorming draft. When you’re ready to revisit it, see what patterns emerge, what common ideas you can group together, what beginning buds of ideas you can make bloom into full-fledged analysis.

6) Communicate for an audience

When you’re used to producing writing that only your teacher reads, it can be hard to remember to write for an audience. But at the end of the day, writing is communication , and the best writing is clear and thorough communication that anyone could pick up and read. For your IB Extended Essay, you’ll want to remember that many people will be reading your final essay, and not all of them will be experts in the niche topic you choose to study. Ask yourself: how can I explain my research to an audience who doesn’t already agree with my analysis?

To communicate to an audience, you’ll want to:

• Provide lots of general background information on your topic.
• Don’t assume your reader is familiar with your sources. Introduce them as if they’re guest speakers about to walk up to a podium and deliver a lecture.
• After including quotes, facts, and figures, be sure to explain what those sources mean in your own words and how they connect to your bigger-picture argument.
• Don’t assume your arguments are self-evident. In this essay, communicating for an audience means supplying ongoing interpretation and analysis, even if it feels like you’re explaining the obvious. Your reader isn’t on your research journey with you, so your points might not be so obvious to your reader.

Although your IB Extended Essay provides a report that factors into your grade, your essay will also be assessed by external examiners the IB. Per the IB Extended Essay Rubric , essays are graded on a scale from 0 to 34 based on 5 different criteria:

• Criterion A: Focus and Method (6 points maximum)
• Criterion B: Knowledge and Understanding (6 points maximum)
• Criterion C: Critical Thinking (12 points maximum)
• Criterion D: Presentation (4 points maximum)
• Criterion E: Engagement (6 points maximum)

As you can see, Critical Thinking is the most significant rubric category. This means that the IB wants to see you arrive at your own unique analysis of your topic, drawing connections between sources and data, and making well-supported arguments. This means they want a lot of you: your ideas, your interpretations, your thoughts. Make sure you emphasize that in your essay, but of course don’t forget the other categories.

The score a student receives corresponds to a letter grade scale that is slightly different than what we’re accustomed to in the U.S. Here’s the letter grade to numerical score breakdown:

You must earn a D or higher to receive your IB Diploma. To learn more about the different criteria included in the IB Extended Essay Rubric, you can explore the IB’s full guide to the Extended Essay .

We hope you found our look at the IB extended essay rubric and IB extended essay topics to be helpful. Ready to dive into research? You may want to read our 10 Expert Tips for Improving Reading Comprehension before you hit the books.

And if you’re a high school student in the process of mapping out your pathway to college, take a look at a few other useful guides:

• IB vs AP—Which Classes are Best for College Admission?
• How to Earn College Credit in High School
• High School Course Requirements for College Admission
• SAT Score Calculator
• ACT Score Calculator 
• High School Success

Christina Wood

Christina Wood holds a BA in Literature & Writing from UC San Diego, an MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in English at the University of Georgia, where she teaches creative writing and first-year composition courses. Christina has published fiction and nonfiction in numerous publications, including The Paris Review , McSweeney’s , Granta , Virginia Quarterly Review , The Sewanee Review , Mississippi Review , and Puerto del Sol , among others. Her story “The Astronaut” won the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award for short fiction and received a “Distinguished Stories” mention in the 2019 Best American Short Stories anthology.

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High Schools
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Private High School Spotlight
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

I am a... Student Student Parent Counselor Educator Other First Name Last Name Email Address Zip Code Area of Interest Business Computer Science Engineering Fine/Performing Arts Humanities Mathematics STEM Pre-Med Psychology Social Studies/Sciences Submit

• Support Sites

Extended Essay Support Site

An rppf with examiner comments.

With a little guidance, every candidate should be able to score top marks on Criterion E: Engagement, which is based on the Reflections on Planning and Progress Form ( RPPF ). Reflection is an art form. And like any art form it can be learned. Below is a rather mediocre RPPF in the left column. In the right column, an experienced examiner has provided comments. Try to learn from these comments before writing your own RPPF comments or commenting on other RPPFs. 

First reflection 

Interim reflection , final reflection (viva voce).

If you read Criterion E: Engagement carefully you will notice several references to the 'Approaches to Teachaing and Learning' (ATLs), such as 'conceptual understanding and skill development' and 'engagement with the research'. When writing comments on the RPPF , refer to the ATLs.

Mae Hampton Watt Presidential Scholarship in Psychology - Writing

About the scholarship.

The Mae Hampton Watt Presidential Scholarship in Psychology - Writing is open to undergraduate students enrolled in the Department of Psychology at Florida State University. Students who can submit an essay about their experience as a psychology major are encouraged to apply.

• Essay Required : Yes
• Need-Based : No
• Merit-Based : No
• Resident of the U.S.
• Attending Florida State University
• Undergraduate student
• Seeking a bachelor's degree
• Studying psychology
• Country : US

• Abnormal Psychology
• Assessment (IB)
• Biological Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology
• Criminology
• Developmental Psychology
• Extended Essay
• General Interest
• Health Psychology
• Human Relationships
• IB Psychology
• IB Psychology HL Extensions
• Internal Assessment (IB)
• Love and Marriage
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Prejudice and Discrimination
• Qualitative Research Methods
• Research Methodology
• Revision and Exam Preparation
• Social and Cultural Psychology
• Studies and Theories
• Teaching Ideas

Essay Writing Tips: Three Rules of Three

Travis Dixon July 12, 2018 Assessment (IB) , Revision and Exam Preparation

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

If you’re learning how to write essays in IB Psychology or looking for good tips to pass on to your students, I would suggest the following “Three Rules of Threes.”

#1: Three Parts to an Essay

Every good essay has three parts (excluding the introductions and conclusions):

• Central argument/s
• Supporting Evidence
• Counter argument/s

The central argument is where you address the core part of the question. This will involve explaining one of the following:

• …a behaviour, or how a variable affects a behaviour
• … a theory or model
• … a key topic (e.g. neuroplasticity)
• … the use of a research method (or technological technique)
• … ethical considerations

The central argument is where you show your understanding of the topic. It’s an important part of a good essay and one that many students miss. It might only be a few sentences, but they are key in showing your knowledge and understanding of the topic.

After you’ve shown your understanding, you need evidence to support that explanation. This is where you explain one (or two) studies to support your argument. You should describe the studies fully and have at least 1-2 sentences applying them to the question.

After the studies you’ll have your counter-arguments, which is your critical reflection on what you’ve just written. This will involve evaluation of your explanation and/or the evidence that supports it. As I’ve written below, you may not wait until the end of your essay to add your critical thinking points – you’ll need to add them where is logical. For example, if you are evaluating two models of memory, it would make sense to evaluate each one after you explain it, not waiting until the very end.

Remember that these tips are frameworks and are free to be adapted and amended based on context, including the specific question you are answering.

In this video on our youtube channel I explain how I interpret the new essay rubric. 

#2: Three Studies

The general wisdom has always been that you should have at least one study in an SAR and two in an essay. However, after marking for Paper Two this past May, I would say that  if possible , you should aim for three studies.

Of course, the more studies you have the more knowledge you can show, but you have to balance this with how much you are revising. A good strategy is to see how you can use studies that overlap in other areas.

For example, if I was a HL student and I was preparing to write my Paper 1 essay on the biological approach, I would prepare Radke’s study for hormones to support my central argument about how testosterone affects aggression, as well as Albert et al.’ s rat study, and then use Bandura’s social cognitive theory as a counter-argument. I would also plan to use Albert’s study for a possible HL animal extension question, Radke for a question on the use of technological techniques, Albert and Radke for research methods, Bandura for SCT in the sociocultural approach and one or two of these when discussing “Origins of Conflict” in Paper 2.

By studying smarter by planning my supporting evidence and counter-arguments carefully, you can still have three studies per topic without adding to your revision load.

It is possible to score top marks with two studies, but it would require excellent arguments and critical thinking at a level beyond the reach of many students. So, in order to maximize potential for high marks for all students, I suggest aiming for three studies if possible.

#3: Three Critical Thinking Points

After you’ve addressed the key part of the question by explaining the topic in your central argument and then used studies to support that argument, it’s time to show your  critical thinking . My advice here is to aim for  at least  three critical thinking points  in your counter-arguments.

Your counter-arguments may come at the end of an essay, or they could be spread throughout – it will depend on the question and your preference. 

These could be three similar-types of points. e.g. evaluating the three studies you have used, or they could be three diverse points. The IB outlines the following as guidance as to types of critical thinking points (and these are explained in the textbook in the introduction).

The reason I would recommend at least three different points is that it can fully showcase your range of critical thinking skills. Previously, I would have said to make sure your “critical thinking” is relevant to the question, but in the latest exams I saw an example answer given credit for explaining limitations of a study based on ethical considerations in a question ask the student to “explain etiologies” of a disorder. How this is a relevant counter-argument to the question, I do not know, but it suggests that the relevance of the critical thinking point a student makes in their answer is of secondary importance to the making of the point. So my advice would be to aim for well-developed, relevant points, and also aim for at least three.

The following posts might help you with evaluating studies and include examples of well-developed evaluations:

• Ecological validity ( link )
• Population validity ( link )

I hope this helps improve the quality of your essays.

Here’s the video of me explaining these tips…

Travis Dixon is an IB Psychology teacher, author, workshop leader, examiner and IA moderator.