Technology & Self-development (DP IB Psychology): Revision Note

Here is an example of a Paper 3 source and a 15-mark ERQ using technology (HL extension) in the Human Development context:

Source 5

Humans have come a long way in terms of how they use technology over the last 30 years. There is now a gap – probably more like a gulf – between ‘digital natives’ (children born after the onset of the internet) and ‘digital immigrants’ (everyone else), particularly with regard to reliance on smart technology.

Research by Prensky (2009) argues that digital technology is actually making children smarter and wiser than previous generations. Prensky argues that:

• ‘Technology alone will not replace intuition, good judgement, problem-solving abilities, and a clear moral compass. In an unimaginably complex future, the digitally unenhanced person will not be able to access the tools of wisdom that will be available to even the least wise digitally enhanced human’ (p3).

Prensky states that children use a range of digital tools which enhance their cognitive capabilities, giving them access to a vast amount of data and the ability to conduct complex analyses.

Technology may, eventually, be able to help children (and the adults they will become) make moral and ethical choices – what he terms ‘digital wisdom’.

Prensky claims that new technologies, especially within popular culture, are actually making children more intelligent because they make greater cognitive demands than older forms of entertainment and communication.

Q4: To what extent can we conclude that digital technology boosts children's cognitive development? In your answer, use your own knowledge and at least three of sources 2–5.

[15 marks]

Model answer:

(Here are two paragraphs which could appear as part of a longer response to this question).

The 21st-century child could be argued to be dependent on digital technology (DT) for a range of needs (e.g., telling the time, educational support, entertainment). It would be easy (and lazy) to simply dismiss this reliance on technology as mindless due to the ease and wide availability of information which previous generations could not even imagine having. To argue for the cognitive benefits of DT one could cite the attention required to play a game online or the ability required to multitask between different forms of DT at the same time. Additionally, children are able to feel part of a wider global community thanks to DT (‘hyperconnectedness’).

There are, however, less positive implications of children's immersion in DT: gaming addiction, overuse of shortcuts, e.g., websites which include false/unchecked information, making it almost impossible for parents and teachers to know what children are taking in as fact. Some research has highlighted the 'google effect': reliance on internet search engines may lead to ‘digital amnesia’. This involves being overly dependent on external sources to store and retrieve information, negatively impacting memory.

Guidance

• The command term “To what extent” requires you to express a view/judgement on the merit, validity, or success of an argument or concept, supported by relevant evidence

• Weigh up the relative merits of the claim

  • What is there in this (and other) source(s) that could be used to back up this argument?

  • Do you know of any research or examples which could be used to validate the idea that digital technology boosts cognitive development?

  • Consider the difficulties facing in finding a suitable comparison tool to measure cognition across generations

    • What are the implications for making assumptions as to what constitutes intelligence?

  • Make sure that your argument is informed by the sources and that it draws from the relevant topics featured in this context

  • Include concepts (e.g., causality, bias) to inform your critical thinking and discussion of the source(s) as well as any real-world or anecdotal examples you are aware of