Which IB Subject is Harder: Economics HL or Psychology HL?
The difficulty of IB subjects like Economics Higher Level (HL) and Psychology HL can vary greatly based on a student's strengths, interests, and preferred learning style. Here are some key factors to consider for each subject to help prospective students make an informed decision.
Economics HL
Content: Economics HL covers a mix of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international economics. This involves understanding complex concepts, graphs, and models which can be challenging for some students.
Mathematics: While not as math-heavy as some other subjects, some mathematical skills are necessary for analyzing data and understanding economic models. This can vary depending on the specific topics covered.
Assessment: The assessment for Economics HL includes essays, data response questions, and internal assessments that test analytical skills and the ability to apply theory to real-world situations. This requires strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Psychology HL
Content: Psychology HL focuses on theories, studies, and applications of psychology. The topics include biological, cognitive, and sociocultural approaches which can be quite theoretical and complex.
Research: Understanding research methods and statistics is required but generally, this subject is less math-intensive than economics. Students often find the research project challenging, especially for those who struggle with writing and critical analysis.
Assessment: The assessment for Psychology HL includes essays and a research project. The research project can be particularly demanding, as it requires a significant amount of time and effort to design and execute.
Conclusion
Strengths and Interests: If you are more comfortable with quantitative analysis and enjoy understanding economic systems, you might find Economics HL more manageable. Conversely, if you are interested in human behavior and enjoy writing and analysis, Psychology HL might be a better fit.
Workload: Both subjects have significant workloads, but the type of work differs. Economics may involve more mathematical work, while Psychology might require deeper reading and understanding of theories. This can affect how a student feels about the workload.
Ultimately, the perceived difficulty will vary from student to student. It is highly recommended to review the syllabus for both subjects and consider your own academic strengths when making a decision.
A Personal Perspective
I have personally experienced studying Economics HL, and while I can say it wasn't particularly difficult, I understand that every student's experience is unique. I once knew a student who first studied Psychology HL at a British school. He found it challenging and full of material to learn, as the course is quite demanding in its first year.
When he transferred to our school in his second year, he had a tough decision: to take Economics HL or History HL. He opted for Economics HL, as our school didn’t offer Psychology HL. To cover two years' worth of material in just eight months, he had to work very hard. He attended our Economics classes diligently to study the first-year material and was often seen in class to ensure he understood the concepts thoroughly. He ended up scoring a 5, which, in my opinion, is a remarkable achievement considering his situation.
Based on both the academic experience and the personal story, I can say that for many students, Psychology HL might be perceived as more challenging compared to Economics HL. However, this can vary based on individual strengths and interests.
Remember, the choice ultimately depends on your personal strengths and interests. Taking the time to understand both subject syllabi and your own academic capabilities will help you make a more informed decision.