Group 3: Individuals & Society
All students taking the IB Diploma are required to study an ‘Individuals in Society’ subject within their core six subject choice. Students have a choice of 3 subjects within Group 3, that include:
- Economics (HL or SL)
- History (HL or SL)
- Psychology (SL only)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Economics
Economics is a dynamic social science and is essentially about the concept of scarcity and the problem of resource allocation. Although there is a body of economic theory to be covered this has to be applied to real world examples. Students must use the media coverage of national and global issues to enhance their views, knowledge and understanding of the subject.
For both Higher Level and Standard Level courses the areas studied are:
• Resources and markets – a basic introduction to the concepts of resource allocation and scarcity, the market forces of supply and demand, market failure and government responses.
• Macroeconomics – a detailed examination of the major economic issues facing countries e.g. economic growth, economic development, inflation, unemployment and income distribution.
• International issues – trade between countries, international trade organisations, exchange rates and balance of payments.
• Development economics – sources of growth and/or development, consequences of growth, barriers to growth, evaluation of growth and development strategies.
International Baccalaureate Diploma History
History develops a number of transferable skills. Students learn to analyse sources, construct arguments and debate issues. They develop their skills in extended writing and learn to carry out Independent research.
History is traditionally very highly regarded by universities. The analytical skills required and the ability to construct a reasoned argument are skills that can be used across a number of disciplines.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Psychology
Psychology is the understanding of behaviour and experience. At Standard Level, three different perspectives on psychology will be considered: the biological level of analysis, the cognitive level of analysis and the socio-cultural level of analysis. For each of these approaches, relevant research will be reviewed and analysed and evidence supporting theories will be evaluated. There is also an option, and a simple experimental study (coursework).
Psychology is a fairly modern discipline and many students study it at Sixth Form level. The reputation of psychology as an academic subject has improved greatly over the last 20 years. For example, modern psychology courses include elements of statistics, experimental analysis and evaluative skills. Students can use their knowledge of psychology to help them understand human behaviour relevant for a wide range of university courses as well as using the more general skills learned in psychology.
