Note: Before reading the following guidance, read the “General guidance for the extended essay” section in this guide.
An extended essay in the individuals and societies subjects explores a question that connects to human experience and behaviour across time and space. If you are interested in developing a critical understanding of the complexities of our social world and who we are as humans, an extended essay in individuals and societies will be a very rewarding choice.
The subjects in this group include business management, digital society, economics, geography, global politics, history, philosophy, psychology, social and cultural anthropology and world religions. These disciplines approach questions about the individual and collective dimensions of existence from multiple perspectives, providing different concepts, contexts, theories and methods for the study and understanding of a complex world filled with difference and variation.
Writing an extended essay in individuals and societies will give you the opportunity to:
Individuals and societies subjects naturally lend themselves to a wide variety of potential topics for the extended essay. The subjects in this group can tackle many big questions about our shared present, past and future. Topics could revolve around real-world issues such as the environmental and climatic crisis, the future of global capitalism, migration, governance in a digital age, and so many others. The big issues related to human experience and social life can be posed as well-focused questions that explore these issues within these disciplines’ perspectives.
The choice of a topic in individuals and societies could result from your own personal life experience, from issues of contemporary debate. Or it could be an extension of a topic covered in one of your favourite subjects, or even a topic related to but not covered by your favourite subject.
Your topic needs to be considered in terms of one of the subjects in individuals and societies. Although, often, a topic could be approached from more than one individuals and societies subject and from many different perspectives. For example, if your interest is in sport, your topic could be researched and written as an essay in different, distinct subjects.
|
Subject |
Approach |
|
Global politics |
Explore global discourses around women in sports and how these influence political decisions about gender rights. |
|
Business management |
Analyse a case study involving a brand sponsoring a football club. |
What makes these topics effectively grounded in one of these diverse subjects is the way in which they are approached. It is not a matter of a given content but rather the concepts, methods and perhaps theories relevant to the subject that will provide insights and will allow you to develop well-constructed arguments.
In general, most DP extended essay subjects require the use of primary research sources, in addition to mandatory secondary sources. However, this is not always the case.
Social and cultural anthropology: The IA is based on primary sources, including fieldwork. But for the extended essay, it is only permitted to use primary sources as a supplement to secondary data and sources: the extended essay must be based on existing ethnographic material(s).
Psychology: An extended essay must be based on secondary sources only. The collection of primary data is not permitted.
The subjects in the individuals and societies group are varied and diverse. As a consequence, your knowledge of the discipline’s approaches and perspectives is very important when researching and writing your extended essay.
Although all extended essays must include secondary research (literature review), different subjects will require different types of sources from which to gather information and construct your line of argument. It is important that you understand what constitutes an appropriate primary or secondary source in your subject of choice, as well as which methods are suitable. For example, in history, primary sources convey first-hand experience of the event or time period you are studying, while secondary sources interpret and analyse primary sources.
You must consider what an extended essay in your subject requires in terms of sources and methods because this is not the same in all subjects. For example, in world religions, the Bhagavad Gita sacred text is a primary source that can be analysed in depth in view of a chosen theoretical framework as a strategy to follow. In psychology, on the other hand, the extended essay is a review of literature; that is, an analysis of peer-reviewed research. The approach here is based on secondary sources only. In other subjects, such as global politics or social and cultural anthropology, relevant academic secondary sources will substantiate your line of argument, which may or may not be supplemented with primary data collected through appropriate methods.
Comparisons, case studies, discourse analysis, critical analysis of a theory or concept and in-depth analysis of a primary source are all possible research strategies through which you may construct a line of argument within individuals and societies. In a successful essay, this line of argument sticks to the logic of the discipline, uses specific terminology and follows disciplinary style and structural conventions. It is important that you seek advice from your supervisor and refer to the subject guide for the subject you have chosen to make sure you are making appropriate use of sources, methods, approaches and research strategies.
Subject: Business Management
Topic: How McDonald’s trains its managers in the USA: The Hamburger University in Chicago
Research question: To what extent is McDonald’s Hamburger University an optimal form of training?
Outline of approach: The in-house training courses offered by McDonald’s are described and evaluated, using secondary sources, supported by the findings from primary research. Primary research: interviews with trainers who work at Hamburger University and surveys of graduates from that school.
Topic: McDonald’s charitable work: Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)
Research question: Who benefits more from the relationship: RMHC or McDonald’s?
Outline of approach: Many academic articles have recently been published about RMHC, both to praise the charity but also to criticize the fact that donations could be more substantial. Using secondary data only, this extended essay discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the relationship between McDonald’s and RMHC.
Subject: Economics
Topic: Minimum wage theory
Research question: Does current economic research into minimum wage invalidate the neoclassical argument that increasing the minimum wage will lead to increased levels of unemployment?
Outline of approach: Neoclassical economics argues that increases in the minimum wage will lead to higher levels of unemployment. However, new research and new economic thinking argues that this is not the case and it was based on flawed assumptions. The neoclassical argument is researched and presented. The counterarguments are researched and evaluated in terms of the nature of the evidence and studies that have been carried out. This essay can use recent evidence from news articles or data banks to assess the link between minimum wages and unemployment in different places. Throughout the essay, conclusions to independent points of analysis help build the argument and identify how valid the neoclassical model is.
Topic: The role of mobile banking in economic development
Research question: How has increased access to mobile banking contributed to economic development in town (or village) “X” since 2010?
Outline of approach: This essay carries out primary research on the ways mobile banking can contribute to economic development, in theory. The research includes data obtained by others through randomized control trials. It focuses on relevant aspects of development: higher incomes, improved health outcomes, improved education outcomes, empowerment of women, increased civic participation. Primary research leads to an evaluation of the extent to which economic development has occurred in the area investigated.
Subject: Geography
Topic: Mangrove zonation
Research question: What are the most important factors that contribute to the biodiversity of mangroves in Singapore?
Outline of approach: Using a mangrove zonation model, primary data is collected on variables such as species, coverage, height, soil pH and infiltration rates. This is then mapped along several points on the coast of Singapore to determine whether the patterns match the model.
Topic: An investigation of the correlation between gender equality and socioeconomic development in the different neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro
Research question: To what extent does socioeconomic development affect gender equality in the neighbourhoods of Rio de Janeiro?
Outline of approach: Census data, figures from the Human Development Index (HDI) and other socioeconomic indicators are collected. A “Gender Index” is developed based on similar pre-existing indices. To test correlations, a geographic information system (GIS) is used to map the resulting patterns, graphs and statistics.
Subject: History
Topic: The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991
Research question: To what extent was the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 caused by the political reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev?
Outline of approach: tThis question provides a narrow focus to an otherwise overly broad topic. The key policies to be discussed would be the changes to the Soviet Union’s constitution in 1988, and the impact these had on the political structure of the state: allowing, eventually, for greater openness and a measure of democracy. Other factors that may also be considered as contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union are the discontent resulting from the failure of economic policies, the failure to win the war in Afghanistan, the “loss” of the Baltic states, and the growth of nationalism, perhaps most significantly in Russia.
Topic: The women’s suffrage movement in New Zealand
Research question: What was the significance of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) in gaining the vote for women in New Zealand?
Outline of approach: In 1893, New Zealand was the first country to grant all women citizens the right to vote. One approach to this question could be to consider the importance of the WCTU in two senses. First, galvanizing women to get involved in politics to achieve the moral improvement of society. Second and following on from this, to agitate for suffrage. Other factors such as the support of the Liberal Party and the increasing number of professional women with an education were also important.
Subject: Psychology
Topic: The struggles of a “perfect” athlete
Research question: Does being a perfectionist have a detrimental effect on performance in team sports?
Outline of approach: Sporting performance is operationalized (giving an abstract idea a measurable set of criteria, which can be researched), and a single sport is investigated. This definition must be consistently applied throughout the essay. Evidence is provided to both support and challenge the idea that perfectionism may have a detrimental effect on performance.
Topic: The effectiveness of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and mindfulness in stress management
Research question: Is mindfulness or CBT a more effective means of coping with stress?
Outline of approach: Although it is important to outline the key assumptions made by each of these two approaches to treatment, this should not be a significant part of the essay. The research should compare evaluated published research findings supporting each type of explanation, having linked the studies to relevant psychological theory. A balanced argument could evaluate evidence claiming support for partial and final conclusions.
CONSIDERING THE ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Make sure you use the extended essay assessment criteria to remind yourself of the expected elements of the extended essay. Each of the five criteria (A–E) is accompanied by a guiding question that should be applied to the context of individuals and societies. In this way, you can see how the assessment criteria relate to your own essay. It is important that you also refer to the “Generic guidance for the extended essay” section in this guide for a broader spectrum of advice on using the assessment criteria to inform your writing.
A: Framework for the Essay (6 pts)
Make sure your focused research question and research methods clearly align with the individuals and societies subject you are using. It may be a good idea to refer to the subject guide for that subject to confirm that you understand the nature of the subject and its methodology—you are investigating your topic through the lens of your chosen individuals and societies subject. Structural conventions relating to individuals and societies subjects include: clearly labelling diagrams, maps (that have all the required elements, such as scale and a key/legend), images and graphs, acknowledging if these are the work of others, and actively referring to them in the body of your essay; appropriate use of headings to organize your essay where appropriate.
B: Knowledge & Understanding (6 pts)
Each individuals and societies subject will have its own terminology, technical words and other special words or phrases that are used in that subject. Using this terminology identifies you as someone who understands the nature of the subject, e.g. “supply and demand” in economics or “digital systems” in digital society. Using important concepts in the subject in a meaningful and explanatory way in your writing demonstrates your knowledge and understanding. Application of key concepts in your writing is essential. For example, in a history extended essay you are likely to work the concepts “causation” and “consequence” into your essay. In social and cultural anthropology, you might apply a concept such as “marginalization” to show your understanding of a topic concerning the social exclusion of a group of people.
C: Analysis & Line of Argument (6 pts)
Regardless of the individuals and societies subject you are using, when you “own” the theories, concepts and methods of that subject, and can weave your research findings towards conclusions that answer your research question, you will have produced a strong line of argument that links your analysis to the research question and the conclusion.
D: Discussion & Evaluation (8 pts)
Consider what a balanced discussion looks like in an essay written in your subject. Review good examples of extended essays and other academic essays in that subject, and ensure that the supporting evidence you have used is appropriate. Evaluate by weighing up the strengths and limitations of your essay. A balanced discussion considers different perspectives on your topic. For example, a social and cultural anthropology essay exploring elements of cultural control in the context of neocolonialism could include discussions stemming from analysing the perspectives of the different stakeholders involved.
E: Reflection (4 pts)
See the Reflection tab above for detailed guidance on planning for and writing your reflection.