DP: Individuals and societies

At the core of the DP psychology course is an introduction to three
different approaches to understanding behaviour: the biological,
cognitive and sociocultural approaches. Students study and critically
evaluate the knowledge, concepts, theories and research that have
developed the understanding in these fields.
The interaction of these approaches to studying psychology forms the
basis of a holistic and integrated approach to understanding mental
processes and behaviour as a complex, dynamic phenomenon, allowing
students to appreciate the diversity as well as the commonality between
their own behaviour and that of others.
The contribution and the interaction of the three approaches is
understood through the four options in the course, focusing on areas of
applied psychology: abnormal psychology, developmental psychology,
health psychology, and the psychology of relationships. The options
provide an opportunity to take what is learned from the study of the
approaches to psychology and apply it to specific lines of inquiry.

Geography is a dynamic subject firmly grounded in the real world, and
focuses on the interactions between individuals, societies and physical
processes in both time and space. It seeks to identify trends and patterns in
these interactions. It also investigates the way in which people adapt and
respond to change, and evaluates actual and possible management strat-
egies associated with such change. Geography describes and helps to
explain the similarities and differences between different places, on a variety
of scales and from different perspectives.
Geography as a subject is distinctive in its spatial dimension and occupies
a middle ground between social or human sciences and natural sciences.
The course integrates physical, environmental and human geography, and
students acquire elements of both socio-economic and scientific meth-
odologies. Geography takes advantage of its position to examine relevant
concepts and ideas from a wide variety of disciplines, helping students
develop life skills and have an appreciation of, and a respect for, alternative
approaches, viewpoints and ideas.
Students at both SL and HL are presented with a common core and optional
geographic themes. HL students also study the HL core extension. Although
the skills and activity of studying geography are common to all students,
HL students are required to acquire a further body of knowledge, to demon-
strate critical evaluation and to further synthesize the concepts in the
HL extension.

The IB DP information technology in a global society (ITGS) course is the
study and evaluation of the impacts of information technology (IT) on
individuals and society. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of
the access and use of digitized information at the local and global level.
ITGS provides a framework for the student to make informed judgments
and decisions about the use of IT within social contexts.

Economics is an exciting, dynamic subject that allows students to develop
an understanding of the complexities and interdependence of economic
activities in a rapidly changing world. At the heart of economic theory is
the problem of scarcity. Owing to scarcity, choices have to be made. The
economics course, at both SL and HL, uses economic theories, models and
key concepts to examine the ways in which these choices are made: at the
level of producers and consumers in individual markets (microeconomics); at
the level of the government and the national economy (macroeconomics);
and at an international level, where countries are becoming increasingly
interdependent (the global economy). The DP economics course allows
students to explore these models, theories and key concepts, and apply
them, using empirical data, through the examination of six real-world
issues. Through their own inquiry, students will be able to appreciate both
the values and limitations of economic models in explaining real-world
economic behaviour and outcomes. By focusing on the six real-world issues
through the nine key concepts (scarcity, choice, efficiency, equity, economic
well-being, sustainability, change, interdependence and intervention),
students of the economics course will develop the knowledge, skills, values
and attitudes that will encourage them to act responsibly as global citizens.