Tom Coster – Psychology

Author: Tom

  • Earlier bedtimes leads to better cognition

    Every year, I tell my students that sleep is just as important as revision and study habits when it comes to academic performance. And now, a compelling new study from the University of Cambridge and Fudan University gives us even more reason to double down on that message.

    In a study involving over 3,000 teenagers, researchers discovered that those who:

    • Went to bed earlier,
    • Slept longer,
    • And had lower sleeping heart rates,

    scored significantly higher on a range of cognitive tests, including reading, vocabulary, and problem solving.

    Even more striking? The actual difference in sleep duration between groups was minimal—just 15 minutes between the lowest and highest scoring groups—yet this small variation had a surprisingly large impact on brain performance and function.

    Brain scans revealed that teens with the best sleep habits not only performed better but also had larger brain volumes and more efficient brain function.

    Despite these findings, even the best-sleeping teens in the study didn’t reach the 8–10 hours per night recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The healthiest group averaged just seven hours and 25 minutes of sleep.

    Why? Teenagers face a biological shift toward later bedtimes during adolescence. Add in screen use, homework, social media, and caffeine—and you’ve got a generation of students consistently underslept.

    We’re not powerless. In fact, this is where we shine. As Psychology teachers, we can…

    1. Teach the Science of Sleep

    Incorporate sleep research into your lessons on cognitive development, memory, and mental health. Use this new study to show how even small changes in sleep patterns make a real difference.

    2. Debunk Myths

    Help students understand that “catching up” on weekends (aka social jet lag) doesn’t undo the damage of sleep loss during the week. Emphasize consistency.

    3. Promote Simple, Practical Changes

    Share strategies backed by experts:

    • Encourage regular exercise to improve sleep quality.
    • Urge students to limit screens an hour before bedtime.
    • Support healthy bedtime routines, such as winding down with a book, journaling, or light stretching.

    4. Embed Sleep into Pastoral Care

    Work with your school’s wellbeing or pastoral team to create sleep hygiene workshops, or add sleep content into personal and social education. Oxford’s Teensleep project is a great resource for ideas and activities.

    5. Make Sleep “Cool”

    Reframe sleep as a performance enhancer. Better memory. Sharper thinking. Bigger brains. It’s the one lifestyle change that benefits everything from academics to mental health—and it doesn’t cost a thing.

    Professor Barbara Sahakian, who co-led the study, put it best: “It’s the sleep driving the better cognitive abilities… Small differences in sleep amounts accrue over time to make a big difference in outcomes.”

    Let’s empower our students to make those small changes—because every extra minute of quality sleep could mean a stronger brain, clearer thinking, and greater wellbeing.

  • You are 100% ready to start teaching the new course!

    Whether you’re new to teaching IBDP Psychology or a seasoned pro, our complete set of fully editable PowerPoint presentations will make your life easier and your lessons simpler – which is exactly what students are asking for.

    Perfectly aligned with Tom Coster’s IB Diploma Psychology – The Textbook and the brand-new syllabus (first assessments in 2027), this comprehensive bundle is your ready-to-go teaching solution. The Powerpoints include every concept, every content area, and every context, plus there is detailed guidance on the Internal Assessment and exam success. These slides are immediately downloadable, beautifully designed, and 100% customizable.

    With 16 clear, engaging, and logically structured presentations, this bundle does the planning for you—so you can focus on what really matters: inspiring your students.

    ✔️ Complete coverage of the syllabus
    ✔️ Instant access – just download and teach
    ✔️ Editable slides to suit your unique teaching style
    ✔️ Support for every part of the course – from critical thinking to exam prep

    Let your students thrive—and take the stress out of syllabus change.

    Download your bundle today and start the year strong!

  • A real-world issue for the in-class practicals

    The new IB Diploma Psychology course requires students to take part in four teacher-guided in-class practicals: an interview, an experiment, an observation, and a survey/questionnaire. We’re looking for issues that feel real and relevant to our students, and few topics are more urgent right now than the mental health crisis among young people.

    A recent UN-commissioned study by Jean Twenge and David Blanchflower has revealed a shocking reversal of the traditional “U-shaped” wellbeing curve. Happiness no longer dips in midlife—it now rises steadily with age, while young people are reporting record-low levels of life satisfaction. In six major English-speaking countries (UK, US, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand), wellbeing among teenagers has plummeted—especially for young women.

    Teenager wellbeing

    One clear suspect? Smartphones and social media.

    This trend didn’t start with COVID-19. It dates back to around 2013 and has only worsened. Young people are reportedly more isolated, less socially engaged, and more exposed to cyberbullying and body shaming.

    This is exactly the kind of real-world phenomenon that DP Psychology students could—and should—investigate through in-class practicals. Imagine students designing ethical, small-scale studies examining screen time, social media use, and indicators of wellbeing among peers. It’s relevant, measurable, and personally meaningful to them.

    But maybe there are other possibilities, such as a shortage of good quality sleep. Diet? The mass media? The topsy-turvy economy and jobs market? Or maybe the teenage years were never really the greatest time of our life.

    We may not solve a global crisis in one classroom, but maybe we will start asking the right questions.

    Smartphones? Lack of sleep? Mass media? Music? Exams? Or maybe it’s ‘just a phase’

    Note that our Textbook includes a detailed section including examples of the In Class Practicals.

  • A new Extended Essay Subject Guide too

    A new Extended Essay Subject Guide too

    While most of our recent attention has been on the updated DP Psychology Subject Guide, it’s important to be aware that the Extended Essay Subject Guide has also been revised and of course that’s big news for Psychology teachers.

    Psychology is one of the most popular EE subjects, and with the first assessment under the new guide set for May 2027, we all need to be up to date. The new EE Guide brings important changes to expectations, assessment criteria, and subject-specific guidance. Teachers supporting Psychology EE students will need a clear understanding of the updated descriptors: Focus and Method, Knowledge and Understanding, Critical Thinking, Presentation, and Engagement.

    One helpful new resource is IB Diploma Psychology: The Extended Essay, a resource book tailored to the new requirements. It includes 100 sample research questions with essay outlines, a full-length exemplar essay with commentary, and practical tips for time management, research strategy, and supervisor collaboration.

    In short, if you’re supervising EEs in Psychology, now is the time to refresh your knowledge and ensure your students are aligned with the new standards.

  • How good is the new internal assessment task for IBDP Psychology?

    As a teacher, I can’t say enough good things about the new Internal Assessment task for IBDP Psychology. Compared to the old model—where students had to work in groups to replicate an experiment, often on dry topics like Stroop effects or eyewitness testimony—the new research proposal format is a breath of fresh air.

    Now, students design a research proposal focused on a problem that actually matters to them and their target population. Whether it’s anxiety about climate change, peer pressure, bullying, or exam stress, students can explore real-world issues that resonate. They aren’t limited to running an experiment; they can propose interviews, surveys, or observations. This opens up creativity and allows for authentic engagement.

    Even better, the proposal can spark ideas for Extended Essays or even CAS projects. It’s so much simpler to teach and support—no logistical nightmares of groupwork or ethics approval for data collection. Students focus on designing ethical, methodologically sound research rather than scrambling to collect questionable data.

    In short, the new IA puts the emphasis on thinking like a psychologist, not just ticking boxes. It’s purposeful, meaningful, and a whole lot less stressful for everyone involved!

    If you’re looking for a guide to help you and your students navigate the new IA process with clarity and confidence, Tom Coster’s The Internal Assessment is essential reading. This comprehensive, step-by-step resource demystifies every stage of the IA, offers practical strategies for every research method, and includes twenty high-scoring sample proposals to inspire and guide. Say goodbye to IA stress—this book has you covered!

  • Powerpoints for the whole IBDP Psychology course

    We’re receiving very positive feedback for our comprehensive PowerPoint slides, covering the entire course, including the internal assessment and examinations. Designed to be 100% editable, teachers can add, delete, or modify slides to fit their teaching style and students’ needs.

    At just $50 for the complete set, these slides are not only a huge time-saver but also exceptional value for money. Streamline your lesson planning and deliver engaging, structured lessons with ease.

  • Peace via Hofstede’s cultural dimensions

    Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions are interesting when we consider the Russia-Ukraine-USA situation.

    Can IBDP help achieve a more peaceful world, as the mission statement says?

    Both Russia and Ukraine share high power distance (acceptance of strong leadership) and high uncertainty avoidance (a preference for stability and control). But Russia is more long-term oriented, which means it emphasizes strategic dominance, while Ukraine is more collectivist, meaning it values community and national identity.


    The U.S., by contrast, is highly individualistic, low in uncertainty avoidance, and indulgent. These traits influence its foreign policy toward promoting democracy, personal freedoms, and economic growth.

    This fundamental cultural difference means the U.S. often supports Ukraine’s sovereignty while rejecting Russia’s authoritarian, power-driven approach.

    Hofstede’s framework helps explain the cultural differences between Ukraine and Russia that are driving the conflict and the challenges in finding a resolution. Russia’s high power distance and long-term strategic thinking make it resistant to compromise. Russia views control over Ukraine as essential to its geopolitical security. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s collectivist and high uncertainty avoidance culture fuels its strong national identity and resistance to external control and its desire to join Europe and NATO.

    The U.S.’s individualism and low uncertainty avoidance drive its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, which fuels the tension between Ukraine and Russia.

    A path toward peace requires acknowledging these cultural differences—balancing Ukraine’s desire for independence with Russia’s security concerns while leveraging the U.S.’s preference for diplomacy and pragmatic solutions. 

    Peace can be achieved by addressing the core cultural and geopolitical needs of each side. For Russia, security guarantees, such as Ukraine’s neutrality (no NATO membership) or regional autonomy agreements, could reduce its strategic fears. For Ukraine, sovereignty and economic stability must be protected, possibly through international security assurances and reconstruction aid. For the U.S. and allies, diplomacy should focus on pragmatic solutions rather than ideological confrontations, ensuring Ukraine’s independence without escalating Russia’s insecurity.

    Hofstede’s cultural dimensions framework is lacking an important dimension. To what extent can each if these parties to the conflict be trusted to stick to any peace agreement?

  • IBDP Psychology and peace negotiations

    Understanding conflict is important for peace in Ukraine. Two elements of the IBDP Psychology course would help both Ukraine and Russia achieve peace – if that’s what they want.

    Peace tnrough IBDP Psychology

    If peace is the goal, Sherif et al. (1957)’s The Robbers Cave Study and Henri Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory offer hope.

    In the Robbers Cave Study, Sherif divided teenage boys at a summer camp into two competing groups. Initially, they bonded in their own groups. When competition was introduced, hostility erupted between the groups. Tbe conflict was resolved when the boys were given superordinate goals – to fix a leaking water tank. Working together, the mete act of required cooperation against a shared problem, turned the rival groups into allies.

    Henri Tajfel’s Social Identity Theory (SIT) explains how people categorize themselves into groups, leading to an “us vs. them” state – emphasis on the ‘versus’. The perceived difference triggers conflict. But SIT also shows that group identities can be reshaped. When people see themselves as part of a larger, inclusive group, intergroup conflict decreases, cooperation is possible and peace between previously warring groups can occur.

    Applying this knowledge about human behavior can lead to peace in Ukraine and Russia. It’s about creating shared goals and identities. The Orthodox church leaders in Russia and Ukraine could play a role here. Instead of reinforcing divisions, the church leaders could highlight common interests: we are more alike than different. Economic leaders such as the IMF could show that both countries, working together through a Free Trade Agreement could achieve economic growth and, more importantly, economic development.

    Of course, this presupposes that both Ukraine and Russia want peace.

  • Success at high school or college – practical, ‘how to succeed’ advice

    Success in high school or college isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about using the right strategies to maximize your learning. Success at high school or college is your step-by-step guide to thriving in education, whether you’re aiming for top grades or simply want to get the most out of your studies.

    Packed with practical advice, this book covers everything from attending every class and participating actively to mastering time management and building strong relationships with teachers. Each chapter provides actionable tips to help you stay motivated, organized, and confident in your academic journey.

    Whether you’re struggling to keep up or looking to reach new heights, this book gives you the tools to take control of your education—and your future. Don’t leave success to chance—start building the habits that will set you apart today!

  • The Textbook and the book of 10 Mock Examinations

    If you’re looking for a clear, concise, and affordable IB Psychology textbook, IBDP Psychology – The Textbook is the perfect choice. It features a plain and simple layout, straightforward language, and excellent value compared to big corporate publishers. Available in print and eBook formats, it’s an essential resource for both students and teachers.

    But that’s not all—there’s also a set of TEN mock exams (Papers 1, 2, and 3 for SL and HL), each with complete, high-scoring model answers to help students master exam technique.

    And have you seen the COMPLETE set of PowerPoint presentations? They cover the entire course and they’re fully editable, so you can customize them to suit your own preference.