IB Psychology SL Paper 1
Unlocking the Biological Basis of Behavior: Your
Essential Study Guide
This guide provides a clear and concise overview of key concepts and research
within the biological approach to understanding behavior. Master these principles
to excel in your studies
1. The Biological Approach: An Introduction
This approach emphasizes the role of physiology, genetics, neuroscience, and
biochemistry in shaping our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It explores how our
biological makeup influences everything we do.
2. Electroencephalogram (EEG): Peeking at Brain Activity
Question: What can an electroencephalogram (EEG) be used to study?
Answer: An electroencephalogram can be used to study electrical activity
in the brain.
o Study Tip: Think of an EEG as a way to get a general overview of
brainwave patterns. It's useful for studying sleep, seizures, and overall
brain function.
3. Lesioning: Investigating Brain Function Through Damage
Question: What research technique involves lesioning?
Answer: Lesioning involves damaging parts of non-human brains to
observe the effects on behavior.
o Exam Strategy: Remember that lesioning studies in animals help us
understand the function of specific brain regions, but ethical
considerations limit this type of research in humans.
4. Animal Models in Biological Psychology
Question: Which animals have brains that are often studied because of their
similarities to human brains?
Answer: Animals with brains similar to humans include rats, cats, and
primates.
, o Insight: Studying these animals allows researchers to make inferences
about human brain function, while acknowledging the differences that
exist.
5. The Preferred Level of Research Method
Question: What is generally considered the preferred level of research
method in the biological approach?
Answer: Experimentation is generally the preferred level of research
method because it allows for the manipulation of variables to establish
cause-and-effect relationships.
o Key Concept: True experiments involve a manipulated independent
variable, a control group, and random assignment.
6. Quasi-Experiments: When True Manipulation Isn't Possible
Question: What is a key characteristic of a quasi-experiment?
Answer: A quasi-experiment involves no systematic manipulation of the
independent variable. Researchers examine pre-existing groups or
conditions.
o Note: While valuable, quasi-experiments have limitations in
establishing causality compared to true experiments.
7. Nomothetic vs. Idiographic Approaches
Question: What is the focus of the nomothetic approach?
Answer: The nomothetic approach focuses on establishing broad
generalizations that apply to large groups of individuals.
Question: What is the focus of the idiographic approach?
Answer: The idiographic approach concentrates on the uniqueness of an
individual.
o Think Critically: The biological approach often leans towards the
nomothetic, seeking universal biological principles of behavior, but
case studies (idiographic) can also provide valuable insights.
8. Epilepsy: Understanding Uncontrolled Brain Activity
Question: What neurological condition is characterized by uncontrolled
electrical discharge in the brain?
Answer: Epilepsy is characterized by uncontrolled electrical discharge in
the brain.
, 9. Petit Mal vs. Grand Mal Seizures
Question: How do petit mal and grand mal seizures differ in their effects?
Answer: Petit mal seizures have effects that are barely noticeable, while
grand mal seizures involve convulsions and temporary unconsciousness.
o Terminology: "Mal" in this context refers to "bad" or "severe."
10. Commissurotomy: Splitting the Brain
Question: What is the procedure known as commissurotomy?
Answer: Commissurotomy is also known as split-brain surgery.
o Context: This procedure is sometimes used to treat severe epilepsy by
severing the corpus callosum.
11. Visual Fields and Hemispheric Processing in Split-Brain Patients
Question: Which visual field is linked to the right hemisphere in split-brain
patients?
Answer: The left visual field is linked to the right hemisphere.
Question: Which visual field is linked to the left hemisphere in split-brain
patients?
Answer: The right visual field is linked to the left hemisphere.
o Brain Fact: Due to contralateral processing, what we see in our left
visual field is processed by the right side of the brain, and vice versa.
12. The Left Hemisphere: The Language Hub
Question: What is a primary function associated with the left hemisphere of
the brain?
Answer: The left hemisphere is often considered the language center of the
brain for most people.
13. The Corpus Callosum: Bridging the Hemispheres
Question: What is the role of the corpus callosum?
Answer: The corpus callosum allows the two sides of the brain to
communicate with each other.
14. Hormones: Chemical Messengers of the Body
Question: What are hormones?
Unlocking the Biological Basis of Behavior: Your
Essential Study Guide
This guide provides a clear and concise overview of key concepts and research
within the biological approach to understanding behavior. Master these principles
to excel in your studies
1. The Biological Approach: An Introduction
This approach emphasizes the role of physiology, genetics, neuroscience, and
biochemistry in shaping our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It explores how our
biological makeup influences everything we do.
2. Electroencephalogram (EEG): Peeking at Brain Activity
Question: What can an electroencephalogram (EEG) be used to study?
Answer: An electroencephalogram can be used to study electrical activity
in the brain.
o Study Tip: Think of an EEG as a way to get a general overview of
brainwave patterns. It's useful for studying sleep, seizures, and overall
brain function.
3. Lesioning: Investigating Brain Function Through Damage
Question: What research technique involves lesioning?
Answer: Lesioning involves damaging parts of non-human brains to
observe the effects on behavior.
o Exam Strategy: Remember that lesioning studies in animals help us
understand the function of specific brain regions, but ethical
considerations limit this type of research in humans.
4. Animal Models in Biological Psychology
Question: Which animals have brains that are often studied because of their
similarities to human brains?
Answer: Animals with brains similar to humans include rats, cats, and
primates.
, o Insight: Studying these animals allows researchers to make inferences
about human brain function, while acknowledging the differences that
exist.
5. The Preferred Level of Research Method
Question: What is generally considered the preferred level of research
method in the biological approach?
Answer: Experimentation is generally the preferred level of research
method because it allows for the manipulation of variables to establish
cause-and-effect relationships.
o Key Concept: True experiments involve a manipulated independent
variable, a control group, and random assignment.
6. Quasi-Experiments: When True Manipulation Isn't Possible
Question: What is a key characteristic of a quasi-experiment?
Answer: A quasi-experiment involves no systematic manipulation of the
independent variable. Researchers examine pre-existing groups or
conditions.
o Note: While valuable, quasi-experiments have limitations in
establishing causality compared to true experiments.
7. Nomothetic vs. Idiographic Approaches
Question: What is the focus of the nomothetic approach?
Answer: The nomothetic approach focuses on establishing broad
generalizations that apply to large groups of individuals.
Question: What is the focus of the idiographic approach?
Answer: The idiographic approach concentrates on the uniqueness of an
individual.
o Think Critically: The biological approach often leans towards the
nomothetic, seeking universal biological principles of behavior, but
case studies (idiographic) can also provide valuable insights.
8. Epilepsy: Understanding Uncontrolled Brain Activity
Question: What neurological condition is characterized by uncontrolled
electrical discharge in the brain?
Answer: Epilepsy is characterized by uncontrolled electrical discharge in
the brain.
, 9. Petit Mal vs. Grand Mal Seizures
Question: How do petit mal and grand mal seizures differ in their effects?
Answer: Petit mal seizures have effects that are barely noticeable, while
grand mal seizures involve convulsions and temporary unconsciousness.
o Terminology: "Mal" in this context refers to "bad" or "severe."
10. Commissurotomy: Splitting the Brain
Question: What is the procedure known as commissurotomy?
Answer: Commissurotomy is also known as split-brain surgery.
o Context: This procedure is sometimes used to treat severe epilepsy by
severing the corpus callosum.
11. Visual Fields and Hemispheric Processing in Split-Brain Patients
Question: Which visual field is linked to the right hemisphere in split-brain
patients?
Answer: The left visual field is linked to the right hemisphere.
Question: Which visual field is linked to the left hemisphere in split-brain
patients?
Answer: The right visual field is linked to the left hemisphere.
o Brain Fact: Due to contralateral processing, what we see in our left
visual field is processed by the right side of the brain, and vice versa.
12. The Left Hemisphere: The Language Hub
Question: What is a primary function associated with the left hemisphere of
the brain?
Answer: The left hemisphere is often considered the language center of the
brain for most people.
13. The Corpus Callosum: Bridging the Hemispheres
Question: What is the role of the corpus callosum?
Answer: The corpus callosum allows the two sides of the brain to
communicate with each other.
14. Hormones: Chemical Messengers of the Body
Question: What are hormones?
