Tom Coster – Psychology

Category: teaching

  • Birth order and behaviour: A worksheet to support the 6 Concepts

    This post is about a Worksheet (below) that teachers can use in the first week or two of the course to introduce students to the 6 big Concepts of the course and to allow a conversation about the significance of good research. The worksheet includes a very recent article from BBC News (June 20th, 2025) and a collection of activities for students to complete, perhaps in small groups, perhaps individually, perhaps for homework…

    The birth order theory

    Is the first-born always the responsible one and the last born always the fun-loving rebel?

    The birth order theory suggests that your position in the family (firstborn, middle child, youngest, or only child) shapes your personality in predictable ways:

    • Firstborns are said to be more responsible and achievement-focused.
    • Middle children are often described as peacemakers or attention-seekers.
    • Youngest siblings are thought to be fun-loving and rebellious.
    • Only children are sometimes stereotyped as selfish or overly mature.

    These ideas are fun to talk about at dinner tables — and even show up in TV shows and social media memes — but do they hold up to scientific scrutiny?

    The research says… no.

    Decades of research have tried to pin down whether birth order really causes differences in personality. While some studies have found small patterns — for example, that firstborns might score slightly higher on intelligence tests — larger and better-designed studies have found no consistent, universal effects of birth order on broad personality traits.

    That doesn’t mean birth order has zero impact. It may shape behaviour in specific family contexts or cultures, and people’s beliefs about birth order can shape their identities. But overall, there’s very little evidence to say that your position in the family determines your personality in any reliable or scientific way.

    This example gives us a good way to start understanding the six key Concepts of IBDP Psychology:

    1. Bias

    We tend to notice evidence that confirms our expectations and ignore what doesn’t — a classic example of confirmation bias. If your older sister is bossy, you might say “Well, obviously, she’s the eldest.” But what about all the bossy youngest children?

    2. Causality

    Is it really birth order that causes certain traits? Or could it be age, parenting style, socioeconomic status, or even gender expectations? Psychology often grapples with correlation vs. causation, and birth order is a great example of that complexity.

    3. Measurement

    How do we measure personality? Many studies rely on self-report questionnaires, which come with limitations. People might describe themselves based on how they think they’re supposed to behave as an oldest child, not how they actually behave.

    4. Perspective

    The impact of birth order may differ between cultures and families. In some societies, firstborns may carry traditional responsibilities, while in others, birth order is far less significant. Perspective reminds us that psychology is not one-size-fits-all.

    5. Change

    Your personality and family roles can shift over time. A younger sibling might become more responsible later in life. Psychology recognises that behaviour and identity are not fixed, but dynamic.

    6. Responsibility/Ethics

    If we assume someone’s behaviour is fixed by their birth order, that can be limiting — even harmful. Ethical psychology considers the social consequences of labelling, stereotyping, and drawing broad conclusions from incomplete evidence.

    In the first week of IB Psychology, we’ll use this birth order debate to practice:

    • Asking critical questions about theories and research
    • Exploring the six Concepts in real-world contexts
    • Discussing beliefs vs. evidence, and developing a scientific mindset

    You’ll be using the attached worksheet to guide your thinking and conversation. Don’t worry — you don’t need to be an expert in Psychology yet. The goal is to start asking smart questions and learning how to evaluate claims, whether they’re in a textbook, a TikTok post, or a family argument at dinner.

    Final Thought

    1. What is your birth order?
      (First-born, middle child, youngest, only child, twin, etc.)
    2. Do you think your birth order has influenced your personality or behaviour?
      If so, in what ways?
    3. Do people ever describe you using “birth order” traits?
      (e.g. “You’re such a responsible oldest child” or “Typical youngest!”)
      Do you agree or disagree with those descriptions?
    4. How are your siblings’ personalities different from yours?
      Do you think these differences are because of birth order, or something else?
    5. Do you think all first-borns are more responsible? All youngest siblings more fun or rebellious?
      Why or why not?
    6. Do you think people act a certain way because of their birth order — or because they believe birth order affects their behaviour?
      Can belief shape personality?
    7. Do cultural or family expectations influence how children behave based on their birth order?
      Can you think of an example?
    8. Have you ever changed your role in the family over time?
      For example, were you once the “quiet one” but became more assertive? What caused that change?
    9. Do you think only children are different from children with siblings?
      In what ways, and why?
    10. If someone knew nothing else about you except your birth order, what might they assume about your personality?
      Do you think they’d be right?

    These questions can lead to some rich and open discussion — and they provide a natural bridge into critical thinking, the importance of evidence-based research, and the limitations of generalisations in psychology.

    Concepts worksheet – Eldest daughter syndromeDownload

    Final thought…

    Psychology is full of ideas that sound right — but part of becoming a psychologist is learning to dig deeper. The birth order theory may not be strongly supported by data, but it gives us the perfect launchpad into the skills, attitudes, and concepts that define this course.

  • Trust Tom Coster with your DP Psychology teaching

    When it comes to teaching the IB Diploma Psychology course, experience and insight matter.

    With a Master’s degree in Psychology and years of hands-on teaching, Tom Coster brings strong subject knowledge and a deep understanding of how students learn. He’s worked extensively with the IB —as an exam marker, IA moderator, Extended Essay marker, and workshop leader. He knows how to read between the lines of a Subject Guide and translate it into real-world classroom success.

    What does this mean for Psychology teachers? A complete set of affordable, classroom-ready teaching materials designed to help your students succeed—whether in the IA, exams, or the new extended essay.

    The materials are:

    • Perfectly aligned with the new syllabus
    • Available in both print and eBook formats
    • Packed with simple strategies for success
    • Easy to use and built for real classroom conditions

    Tom’s mission is simple: to make high-quality Psychology teaching less stressful for teachers and their students and more effective. And judging by the response from teachers around the world, it’s working.

    Ready to simplify your planning and boost student achievement? See for yourself.

  • 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!

  • Sleep – the overlooked health treatment

    Sleep – the overlooked health treatment

    As psychology teachers, we’re often at the front and centre of mental health discussions – with students and also with colleagues. We teach our students about the biological, cognitive, and social explanations of disorders, the effectiveness of SSRIs, and the transformative power of CBT. And yet, one of the simplest and most effective interventions remains woefully underemphasized: adequate sleep.

    There is a mountain of credible, published research highlighting just how significant sleep is to emotional regulation. We have compelling evidence showing that poor sleep isn’t just a symptom of anxiety or depression, it is often the primary cause.

    The relationship between sleep and mental health is bidirectional, creating a vicious cycle: insufficient sleep heightens emotional reactivity, disrupts rational thought processes, and increases vulnerability to stress, making individuals more prone to anxiety and depression.

    One night of sleep deprivation leads to a significant spike in anxiety and low mood the following morning. Chronic, ie longer term, sleeplessness makes everyday events feel more negative, reinforcing a bleak outlook on life. Research shows that individuals suffering from insomnia are at twice the risk of developing anxiety or depression compared to those who sleep well.

    The evidence is compelling. Sleep deprivation impairs the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s emotional regulator, weakening its connection to the amygdala, which governs fear and emotional responses. This disruption makes individuals more emotionally volatile, prone to misperceiving neutral events as negative, and more likely to spiral into stress and mood disorders.

    As educators, we must recognize the immense potential of sleep education as a preventative mental health strategy. A CAS project that focuses on sleep awareness could help students (and colleagues) track their sleep, analyze its effects on mood and cognitive function, and share findings with peers.

    Getting sufficient sleep is not about school starting later or school providing quiet spaces for rest. It’s about teaching students, their parents, and colleagues that the simplest treatment (and prevention) strategy relating to the most common mental health issues of anxiety and depression is getting sufficient sleep. In general we all need 8-9 hours of sleep, so we must go to bed more than 8-9 hours before the required wake-up time because we need about half an hour to ‘fall asleep’. We all need to be in bed, light off and phone off around half an hour before the sleep time.

    Ultimately, if there is one piece of mental health advice we can give our students—and even our colleagues—it is this: Prioritize sleep because it is the foundation of emotional resilience, cognitive function, and overall well-being.

    I seldom see anxious cats.

  • IB Psychology Examinations

    Preparing students for the IB Diploma Psychology exam can be a challenge, but IB Diploma Psychology: Ten Mock Examinations by Tom Coster is the essential resource to ensure success. This book provides ten meticulously designed mock exams that mirror the structure, difficulty, and content of the real IB assessments, offering students the most authentic practice experience possible.

    Teachers will appreciate how this resource aligns with the IB Psychology Subject Guide and Teacher Support Material, making it a perfect companion for classroom revision. With realistic time allocations, model answers, and success strategies, students gain valuable insights into exam techniques, structuring high-quality responses, and integrating research evidence effectively.

    By using this book, teachers can provide their students with practical, targeted preparation, helping them approach the exams with confidence. With comprehensive syllabus coverage and expert guidance, this resource is the key to maximizing student achievement in IB Psychology.

  • IBDP Psychology – The Textbook

    Looking for the perfect study companion? The Textbook is designed to make learning easier, clearer, and more affordable. Available in both print and eBook formats, our eBook never expires and can be accessed on your phone, tablet, or laptop—so you can study anytime, anywhere.

    With a straightforward Concepts, Content, and Context layout, The Textbook presents information in a way that’s easy to follow. It includes everything you need: diagrams, chapter summaries, a dedicated section on Internal Assessment, and a full guide to the examinations. No unnecessary complexity—just clear explanations in plain language.

    But The Textbook is more than just a textbook—it’s the centrepiece of a complete collection of teaching and learning resources. This includes Homework Revision Questions, specialised books on the IA and the exams, a Book of Essential Research Studies, and a Vocabulary Book to strengthen key concepts.

    Best of all, The Textbook costs significantly less than those from big publishers, making it an accessible choice for students and schools alike. Whether you’re studying at home or on the go, this is the complete textbook you can rely on.

  • Everything that the teacher needs for teaching the new IBDP Psychology course.

    Preparing to teach the new IBDP Psychology course may feel overwhelming, but The Tom Coster Collection has everything you need. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or teaching IB Psychology for the first time, our comprehensive suite of resources ensures you’re fully prepared.

    So you can relax

    We offer free downloadable course outlines, a detailed textbook, and PowerPoint presentations covering every aspect of the course—including the IA and all three exam papers. To support exam preparation, we provide a book of 10 mock exams with model answers, so students can practice effectively.

    On our website we have more 100 free downloadable worksheets on every topic and learning objective. These are great as a consolidation activity, reinforcing/practising/rehearsing material taught in a recent lesson. Did we mention they’re free? (Of course, we hope you’ll repay the kindness by buying some of our paid materials.)

    Need support with the IA? We have a dedicated book featuring a complete model IA, guiding students through the process. Our homework question book helps reinforce learning, while our Extended Essay research guide (aligned with the updated EE Guide) simplifies supervision.

    We have a book of 70 multiple choice tests for quick and easy assessments throught the two-year course.

    To enhance understanding, we also provide a book of 150 key research study outlines and a comprehensive psychology glossary.

    With The Tom Coster Collection, teaching IB Psychology could not be easier. Everything you need is ready to use—so you can focus on teaching, inspiring, and helping your students succeed.

  • Why choose the eBook versions?

    Why choose the eBook versions?

    The eBook versions of the Tom Coster Collection offer a smarter, lighter, and more affordable way to learn. Students don’t have to heave heavy textbooks—these eBooks live conveniently in the phone or tablet, devices they’ll never forget to bring to school. Priced at just 25-35% of their print counterparts, they’re also a budget-friendly option for students. Plus, no waiting for shipping! When you buy an eBook, it’s delivered instantly, ready to use right when you need it.

    The eBook collection includes everything you need for success: The Textbook, the Internal Assessment, Homework Revision Questions, the Extended Essay, the Essential Research Studies, the Glossary of Psychology Vocabulary and of course, How to succeed at high school or college.

    Convenience, affordability, and quality.