# Reflexivity

> IB Psychology · IB Psychology 2027 First Assessment
> Source: https://www.owlsprep.com/study/ib-psychology-rm-reflexivity/

The role of reflexivity and the process of checking for unconscious bias.

## Learning objectives

- The role of reflexivity and the process of checking for unconscious bias.

## How often is this tested?

Based on OwlsPrep's analysis of official CIE IB_PSYCH P3 past papers (2019–2025): **Reflexivity** appears **1 times** in the last 7 years — **4%** of all P3 questions (1 of 25).

Most-tested forms: SAQ (9 marks) (1).

*Small sample — indicative only.*

## Core concept

Reflexivity is the researcher deliberately examining how their own assumptions, expectations and presence shape the research — especially in qualitative work, where the researcher is the main 'instrument'. It means checking for unconscious bias in how questions are asked, how participants respond to the researcher, and how data are interpreted, and being transparent about it. Reflexivity does not remove bias but makes it visible, which is central to the credibility of qualitative findings.

## Key studies

IB Psychology answers must be supported by named studies. Learn these to cite as evidence:

**Festinger, Riecken & Schachter (1956)** — Covert participant observers embedded in a doomsday cult recorded that, after the prophecy failed, members intensified their belief to reduce dissonance. — *Immersed, covert observers can influence and selectively interpret what they see — exactly the situation reflexivity is meant to check.*

## Evaluation (AO3)

**Strength — turns a weakness into transparency** — Naming the researcher's influence lets readers judge findings honestly, instead of pretending the researcher was invisible.

**Limitation — no guarantee** — Reflexivity relies on self-awareness and honesty; unconscious bias can persist unnoticed, and reflexive accounts can become performative.

## Scope

> **note**
>
> Reflexivity and checking for unconscious bias; the broader menu of credibility strategies is RM_10, and the sampling side of bias is RM_16.

## Common pitfalls

- **Wrong:** 'Bias' in a study means the sample was unrepresentative (sampling bias).
  - Why it fails: A frequently penalised misconception in IB Psychology exams.
  - Correct: Reflexivity targets the RESEARCHER's own unconscious bias — in questioning, rapport and interpretation — which is different from sampling bias (an unrepresentative sample) and from generalization. Do not collapse them.

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From [OwlsPrep](https://www.owlsprep.com) — free study guides for A-Level, IB, AP and IGCSE, written against the official syllabus. Canonical page: https://www.owlsprep.com/study/ib-psychology-rm-reflexivity/