IB Psychology HL case studies

IB Psychology HL is the higher-level stream of the Diploma Programme psychology course, typically taught across two years to students aged roughly 16–19 who want a social science with a real research component. It suits candidates who are curious about why people behave as they do and who are willing to read primary studies rather than rely on textbook summaries, because the assessment rewards evidence-based argument over description. The course works through three compulsory approaches - biological, cognitive and sociocultural - then one option selected by the school, and HL candidates go further into research methodology, including qualitative methods and their analysis. Alongside the external papers, every candidate designs, conducts and reports an experimental study for internal assessment. The IB Psychology HL case studies are 5 cases and about 3,405 words.