Key Idea: Human relationships covers how we bond one-to-one and behave in groups — social identity, cooperation and conflict.
Topic 3.3 at a glance
- Interpersonal relationships — Formation and maintenance; biological, cognitive and social factors.
- Group behaviour — Social identity, conformity, cooperation and competition.
- Evaluating — Findings vary by culture; watch for ethnocentric or gender bias.
Interpersonal · Groups · Influence
IB-style questionExplain[6 marks]
In the context of human relationships, explain one factor that influences whether a relationship forms or lasts.
🔒 Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
What drives group rivalry? Social identity — us/them categorisation and in-group favouritism.
One factor in relationships? Similarity, proximity, reward, or cultural norms.
A limitation of relationship research? It often varies by culture and can be biased.
Use social identity theory and conformity to explain group behaviour, and always note cultural variation for evaluation marks.