Causality
Can one factor genuinely be said to cause another, or are the variables only associated?
Ask about confounds, direction of effect, design and how confident the causal claim really is.
IB Psychology 2027
The six concepts, made usable
Definitions are not enough. These concepts become useful when they change the questions you ask about studies, explanations and applications.
Measurement
How was a psychological construct turned into something observable or measurable?
Ask about operationalisation, validity, reliability, self-report and inter-rater agreement.
Perspective
Which lens is being used to explain behaviour, and what does that lens leave out?
Compare assumptions and ask whether another biological, cognitive or sociocultural explanation changes the story.
Change
What changes, what may produce the change and how do we know the change lasted?
Separate genuine intervention effects from natural recovery, short-term shifts and relapse.
Bias
Where might expectations, sampling, culture or the research process skew the evidence?
Name the specific bias, then explain exactly how it limits a conclusion.
Responsibility
What ethical and social duties come with doing and applying psychological research?
Consider protection from harm, consent, confidentiality, stigma, social impact and whether benefits justify risks.
How to practise them
Choose one study or theory
Do not start with six separate essays. Start with evidence you already know.
Rotate the lens
Ask one strong question from each concept and note what changes in your evaluation.
Turn the thought into a claim
Use the concept to make a specific analytical point, not as a label added to the end of a paragraph.
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Six Thinking Concepts Cards
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