Educerie · IB Diploma · Psychology

Topic 1 — Topic test

Paper 2 style · 20 marks · 30 minutes

1. (a) Outline one technique used to study the relationship between the brain and behaviour. [2]

(b) Explain one limitation of using neuroimaging to draw conclusions about localisation of function. [2]

2. Explain what a heritability estimate of 0.5 for a trait means. [3]

3. Read the following description of a study.

Researchers recruited 40 university students and measured salivary cortisol immediately before and immediately after a 20-minute public speaking task. Cortisol rose significantly in 34 of the 40 participants. The researchers concluded that "public speaking causes stress in the general population".

(a) Identify the research method used. [1]

(b) Evaluate the researchers' conclusion. [5]

(c) Suggest one change to the design that would strengthen the study, and explain why. [2]

4. Discuss the extent to which the biological approach can explain depression. [5]

Total: 20 marks

Command terms in this test. Question 3(b) says evaluate, so strengths as well as limitations are required, followed by a judgement about what the evidence actually supports. Question 4 says discuss, which requires more than one perspective — an answer presenting only biological explanations, or only their weaknesses, cannot reach the top band.

Educerie · original questions written against the published IB syllabus structure for Psychology Topic 1, first assessment 2027. The study described in question 3 is fictional, created for this material. Last reviewed 5 September 2026.