IB Psychology 🧠🔍: Evaluating Theories - TEACUP

    As IB Psychology students, we should be familiar with how to construct both Short Answer Questions (SAQ) and Extended Response Questions (ERQ). In an ERQ, there's a possibility that you will be asked to evaluate a theory that you had given to your essay. For current or upcoming IB Psychology students, this might be a great tips for you! All you have to do is to memorize this mnemonic: TEACUP

T - Testability

E - Empirical Evidence
A - Applicable

C - Construct Validity
U - Unbiased
P - Predictive Validity

Testability

Is it possible to arrange an experimental study to demonstrate the theory? Any theory has to be falsifiable, this means the theory itself should be able to be tested through experiment.

Empirical Evidence

Are there any research to support the theory? Or research that contradicts or challenges the theory?

Application

Can the theory be used to explain or change behavior? For instance, can it be used as a treatment for depression?

Construct Validity

Are there concepts that make up the theory well defined? Are the variables well defined so that they can be measured?

Unbiased

Is there a research that focuses on an ethnicity? Is the research focused specifically on men? Is the research on which the theory is based representative of a global population? A theory should not be biased towards a specific gender or culture.

Predictive Validity

Does the theory let us predict behavior? Can it be used to predict trends in behavior or to predict an individual's behavior?

    However, before using this technique to write your essay, you should consider these criteria: time and critical thinking. You should use your time properly in order to cover most of the variables, and you should be able to develop your own ability to evaluate the studies. I hope this can be a great tips for IB Psychology.

References:
https://prezi.com/twx-axk9glnj/psychology-teacup/
https://www.themantic-education.com/ibpsych/2017/10/26/t-e-a-c-u-p-and-why-i-dont-use-it/