TIPS ON THE APPROACH, HOW TO STRUCTURE, OUTLINE WRITE AND

THIS SAQ

SAQ - DESCRIBE ONE STUDY OF LOCALIZATION OF FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN [9 MARKS]

MAGUIRE (2000)

MARITZA ZEPEDA ANDERSEN - IB PSYCHOLOGY SL – NOVEMBER 2022

 SAQ FOR SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT SOME POINTS TO CONSIDER:

• Please follow the instructions to write under (self-administered) exam conditions for about 20 minutes. Adherence to academic honesty
policies is expected.

• You have been advised to write about 250 words (no less than 200, no more than 350). In the May 2023 IB exam, you will be writing by
hand, and that is what most students can write in that time for a SAQ.

• You must write in your own words. (Remember that all your assignments generate a Turnitin Similarity Report.)

• In your preparation for the SAQ, you can write notes in your own words and practice by hand, but then when you are ready, close
all notes, books, and reference material while writing. Do not engage in collaborative writing, discuss with anyone while writing
your response.

• Your written response to an SAQ should be in your own words.

• Please resist the temptation to copy and paste from other sources or even copy from your own notes. “ Remember is under exam conditions”
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Just a blank paper for doing your outlining
 SAQS CONSIDERATIONS (SUMMARY)
1) Take notes and think about the material and the question and the command term.

2) Make an outlining before you start writing

3) Write in paragraphs. You should write around 250 words – 350 words (max) for an SAQ. 2 to 4 paragraphs for SAQs
(depending on the question). Use the words in the question. Remember that writing everything you know about a topic without
answering the question will not result in a high score, so “focus on the question (according to the evidence/study)”.

4) Define psychological terms and explain concepts. Say what localization of function is and say what area of the brain and the behaviour
are. Remember to clearly identify where in the brain and you must have in mind that in psychology, we are always looking at behaviour,
even if it isn’t in the question.

5) Always include and describe a relevant research study (which study and how many will depend on the question).

• 5.1) Make a clear link. “The response is supported by appropriate research which is described and explicitly linked to the
question” Explain how the study is linked to localization of function in the brain.​

6) Remember that first and last paragraphs are particularly important. The last paragraph should relate directly to the question. For
3
example: the link between the specific study and localization of function = which area of the brain and the behaviour. Words that you
can use in the end of your answer: In conclusion, For these reasons, To sum up, Therefore, Consequently….
 DESCRIBE ONE STUDY OF LOCALIZATION OF FUNCTION IN THE
BRAIN [9 MARKS]

• The command term “describe” requires that you give a detailed account of one
study that investigated localization of function in the brain.

• In other words: make a clear link between the study and localization of function in
the brain by being very clear in explaining what is meant by the concept of
localization of function in the brain, where in the brain takes place (the specific area
of the brain) and the specific behavior of the study.
 DESCRIBE ONE STUDY OF LOCALIZATION OF FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN -
MAGUIRE (2000)
• You could use the Maguire (2000) study to
answer this question
•The focus of the answer should be on the
description of the study which needs to be
explicitly [explicitly = clearly] linked to the
localization of function in the brain, where
in the brain takes place (area of the brain),
and the behavior.
First paragraph:
•Try to use the exact words of the SAQ in this paragraph. Writing
the topic sentences at this stage is an excellent idea to ensure your
answer is focused and meets the demands of the command term.
• You should clearly identify the study and you should provide context by
explaining what is meant by the concept of localization of function in
the brain.
•For example: Localization of function in the brain is…………..One
study of localization of function in the brain is Maguire (2000) and
clearly identify the area of the brain and the specific behavior from
the study (you can provide the aim for example demonstrating the
relevance of the study in support of the answer). At the end of the
first paragraph, make sure to make a clear link between the study
and localization of function in the brain (area of the brain and the
specific behavior)
• (further explanations/definitions/description of the study is provide in
the following paragraphs).
 DESCRIBE ONE STUDY OF LOCALIZATION OF FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN -
MAGUIRE (2000)

• Define/explain (briefly) some concepts - Focus only on the explanation that

is relevant to Maguire study and localization of function in the brain

• Avoid bullet point and write a paragraph Second paragraph:

• You can elaborate more on the definition of localization of function of the Define some of the
brain, explain what area is the hippocampus and the behavior or any other key concepts and
concept that you find is important to know about before you describe the make a clear link to
study. Maguire study.
• Remember that the main focus is on the description of the study and the
clear link to localization of function, where in the brain and the behavior.
• Localization of
For example, if you explain about the hippocampus function in the
• Hippocampus is a part of the limbic system, known to be implicated in memory. brain

• Definitions of the concepts will depend on the question and the study you • Hippocampus
chose to answer the question. • Memory
 DESCRIBE ONE STUDY OF LOCALIZATION OF FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN -
MAGUIRE (2000)

•Description (in detail) of a research study in your response should clearly identify and
describe . Make sure to have an introduction sentence in relation to localization of
Third paragraph
function in the brain and the study.

Clearly identify and describe the study

•1) name(s) of the investigator(s)

•2) date the study was published

Displaying clear understanding of, and
•3) the aim(s) or research question (purpose of the study) support for localization of function in the
brain
•4) method a)type of study undertaken; research method used), b)sample
and sampling method (if known) c)participants (characteristics of
participants) and d)procedure(s) in other words, the focus of this
paragraph should be on the description
• 5) findings (results) of the study which needs to be clearly
• 6) conclusion(s) of the chosen study, displaying clear understanding of, and linked to localization of function in the
support for localization of function in the brain and the behavior. brain , where in the brain and the
• 7) You should make an explicitly/clear link (explicitly link = clearly link) behavior.
between the study and Localization of function in the brain, area in the
brain and behavior to gain marks in the top markband.
DESCRIBE ONE STUDY OF LOCALIZATION OF FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN
-
MAGUIRE (2000)

• And finally, make the clear link between the Fourth (last) paragraph
study (name, year) and localization of function
in the brain (area of the brain and behavior).
This paragraph is crucial.

• In other words: This is where you make the clear link

• a) sum up the main points
• b) come to a conclusion from the previously
discussed question and the evidence presented.
between the study (name, year) and
localization of function in the brain,
where in the brain and behavior
In conclusion, …..
 Markband Level descriptor
0 The answer does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below.

  The response is of limited relevance to or only rephrases the question.

1–3 Knowledge and understanding is mostly inaccurate or not relevant to the

question.
The research supporting the response is mostly not relevant to the question
and if relevant only listed.

  The response is relevant to the question but does not meet the
4–6 command term requirements.
Knowledge and understanding is accurate but limited.
The response is supported by appropriate research which is described.

7–9 The response is fully focused on the question and meets the command
term requirements.
Knowledge and understanding is accurate and addresses the main
topics/problems identified in the question.
The response is supported by appropriate research which is described
and explicitly linked to the question.
 DESCRIBE ONE STUDY OF LOCALIZATION OF FUNCTION IN THE BRAIN -
MAGUIRE (2000)

Assessment and Markband and Level of description

If the link between the study and localization of function is only implicit apply the markbands up to a maximum
of [6 marks].
 
If you describe localization of function without making reference to a relevant study, apply the markbands up to
a maximum of [3 marks].
 
If you describe a study that is not relevant to localization of function in the brain, [0 marks] should be awarded.
 
If you describe more than one study, credit should be given only to the first description.
 
If you include irrelevant information (i.e. evaluation o comments about ethics); this could be considered as
losing focus on the question with irrelevant information.
ANY QUESTION?