IELTS Psychology Vocabulary — Band 7.0 Words, Collocations & Examples

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Full Prompt

Task: Write an essay discussing psychological phenomena. Use appropriate vocabulary to achieve Band 7.0.

Example Topic: "The impact of social media on mental health among adolescents."

Model Answers

Band 6.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response: 5.0 (Addresses the task but with limited development)
• Coherence & Cohesion: 6.0 (Logical but with some unclear progression)
• Lexical Resource: 6.0 (Limited range, some errors)
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: 6.0 (Frequent errors, simple structures)

Text:

Social media affects teens' minds. Many studies show this. Teens use social media a lot. They compare themselves to others. This makes them feel bad. They feel sad or anxious. This is called negative self-esteem. Parents and teachers should teach teens to use social media less. They should do other activities. This can help teens feel better.

Band 7.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response: 7.0 (Addresses all parts of the task, presents a clear position)
• Coherence & Cohesion: 7.0 (Logical organization, uses cohesive devices effectively)
• Lexical Resource: 7.0 (Sufficient range, some less common lexical items)
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: 7.0 (Attempts complex sentences, some errors)

Text:

The pervasive use of social media among adolescents has become a significant concern for mental health professionals. Numerous studies have demonstrated a correlation between excessive social media use and increased levels of anxiety and depression. Adolescents often engage in social comparison, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. This phenomenon is exacerbated by the curated nature of social media content, which presents an unrealistic portrayal of others' lives. To mitigate these effects, educators and parents should encourage teens to limit their screen time and engage in offline activities that promote mental well-being.

Band 8.0 Answer

Score Breakdown:

• Task Response: 8.0 (Fully addresses the task, presents a clear, supported argument)
• Coherence & Cohesion: 8.0 (Clear progression, uses cohesive devices skillfully)
• Lexical Resource: 8.0 (Frequent use of less common lexical items, skilful use)
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: 8.0 (Uses complex structures, few errors)

Text:

The psychological impact of social media on adolescents' mental health has emerged as a critical area of study in contemporary psychology. Research indicates that prolonged exposure to social media platforms can induce cognitive dissonance, as teens struggle to reconcile their self-image with the idealized representations they encounter online. This dissonance often manifests as symptoms of anxiety and depression, with studies showing a marked increase in these conditions among heavy social media users. To combat this trend, a multifaceted approach is required, involving digital literacy education, parental guidance, and the promotion of alternative recreational activities that foster genuine social connections and personal growth.

Key Vocabulary for Band 7.0

Nouns

• Phenomenon (plural: phenomena) - A fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or explanation is in question.
• Example: "The phenomenon of social comparison is widespread among adolescents."
• Correlation - A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.
• Example: "Researchers found a strong correlation between screen time and anxiety levels."
• Anxiety - A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
• Example: "Excessive social media use can exacerbate feelings of anxiety."
• Depression - A mental health disorder characterized by persistently low mood and a feeling of sadness and loss of interest.
• Example: "Long-term depression can have severe consequences on one's mental health."
• Self-esteem - Confidence in one's own worth or abilities; self-respect.
• Example: "Low self-esteem can lead to various psychological issues."
• Cognitive dissonance - The state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavior and usually involving anxiety.
• Example: "Social media can induce cognitive dissonance in users."
• Conditioning - A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired, which results in a new behavior or response.
• Example: "Classical conditioning can explain certain behavioral patterns."
• Neuroplasticity - The ability of the brain to change throughout an individual's life.
• Example: "Neuroplasticity allows the brain to adapt to new experiences."
• Symptoms - Physical or mental features that are regarded as indicating a condition of disease, particularly such features that are apparent to the patient.
• Example: "The symptoms of depression include persistent sadness and loss of interest."
• Manifestation - The display or embodiment of something by signs or symptoms.
• Example: "The manifestation of anxiety can vary greatly among individuals."
• Trend - A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
• Example: "The trend of increased social media use is concerning."
• Literacy - The ability to read and write.
• Example: "Digital literacy is essential in today's society."
• Recreation - Activity done for enjoyment when one is not working.
• Example: "Engaging in recreational activities can improve mental health."
• Connection - A relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else.
• Example: "Social connections are vital for mental well-being."
• Growth - The process of increasing in physical size.
• Example: "Personal growth is a lifelong journey."

Verbs

• Exhibit - To show or demonstrate a particular characteristic or set of qualities.
• Example: "Patients may exhibit symptoms of depression."
• Conduct - To organize and carry out a survey, experiment, or trial.
• Example: "Researchers conducted a study on social media use."
• Exacerbate - To make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse.
• Example: "Excessive screen time can exacerbate anxiety."
• Mitigate - To make less severe, serious, or painful.
• Example: "Educators should mitigate the negative effects of social media."
• Encourage - To give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
• Example: "Parents should encourage healthy habits in their children."
• Promote - To support or actively encourage something to happen.
• Example: "Schools should promote digital literacy."
• Foster - To encourage the development of something, especially something desirable.
• Example: "Teachers should foster a positive learning environment."
• Reconcile - To make one accept someone or something unpleasant or unfortunate.
• Example: "Teens struggle to reconcile their self-image with online portrayals."
• Induce - To bring about or give rise to.
• Example: "Social media can induce feelings of inadequacy."
• Struggle - To experience difficulty and make a very great effort in order to do something.
• Example: "Adolescents struggle with self-esteem issues."
• Engage - To participate or become involved in.
• Example: "Teens should engage in offline activities."
• Present - To introduce or offer something for consideration.
• Example: "Social media presents an idealized version of life."
• Curate - To select, organize, and present content.
• Example: "Users curate their online personas carefully."
• Portray - To depict someone or something in a particular way.
• Example: "Social media portrays life as perfect."
• Compare - To examine the similarities or differences between two or more things.
• Example: "Teens compare themselves to others online."
• Limit - To restrict something in extent, amount, or scope.
• Example: "Parents should limit their children's screen time."
• Promote - To support or actively encourage something to happen.
• Example: "Schools should promote digital literacy."

Adjectives

• Pervasive - Present or happening everywhere; widespread.
• Example: "The pervasive use of social media is concerning."
• Excessive - More than is necessary, normal, or desirable.
• Example: "Excessive screen time can harm mental health."
• Curated - Selected, organized, and presented carefully and skillfully.
• Example: "Social media content is often curated to appear perfect."
• Idealized - Represented as perfect or better than in reality.
• Example: "Social media presents an idealized version of life."
• Unrealistic - Not based on what is real or possible.
• Example: "Social media portrays unrealistic standards."
• Contemporary - Living or occurring at the same time; modern.
• Example: "This is a contemporary issue in psychology."
• Critical - Involving or expressing a judgment based on careful analysis.
• Example: "This is a critical area of study."
• Marked - Clearly noticeable or strongly expressed.
• Example: "There is a marked increase in anxiety levels."
• Multifaceted - Having many different aspects or features.
• Example: "A multifaceted approach is required to address this issue."
• Genuine - Truly what something is said to be; authentic.
• Example: "Genuine social connections are important."
• Alternative - One of two or more available possibilities.
• Example: "Alternative activities can improve mental health."
• Lifelong - Lasting for the whole of one's life.
• Example: "Personal growth is a lifelong journey."
• Essential - Absolutely necessary; extremely important.
• Example: "Digital literacy is essential in today's society."
• Vital - Necessary for continued existence or operation.
• Example: "Social connections are vital for mental well-being."
• Severe - Serious; extreme.
• Example: "Long-term depression can have severe consequences."
• Persistent - Continuing firmly or obstinately, especially despite difficulty, danger, or opposition.
• Example: "Persistent sadness is a symptom of depression."
• Curated - Selected, organized, and presented carefully and skillfully.
• Example: "Social media content is often curated to appear perfect."
• Idealized - Represented as perfect or better than in reality.
• Example: "Social media presents an idealized version of life."
• Unrealistic - Not based on what is real or possible.
• Example: "Social media portrays unrealistic standards."
• Contemporary - Living or occurring at the same time; modern.
• Example: "This is a contemporary issue in psychology."
• Critical - Involving or expressing a judgment based on careful analysis.
• Example: "This is a critical area of study."
• Marked - Clearly noticeable or strongly expressed.
• Example: "There is a marked increase in anxiety levels."
• Multifaceted - Having many different aspects or features.
• Example: "A multifaceted approach is required to address this issue."
• Genuine - Truly what something is said to be; authentic.
• Example: "Genuine social connections are important."
• Alternative - One of two or more available possibilities.
• Example: "Alternative activities can improve mental health."
• Lifelong - Lasting for the whole of one's life.
• Example: "Personal growth is a lifelong journey."
• Essential - Absolutely necessary; extremely important.
• Example: "Digital literacy is essential in today's society."
• Vital - Necessary for continued existence or operation.
• Example: "Social connections are vital for mental well-being."
• Severe - Serious; extreme.
• Example: "Long-term depression can have severe consequences."
• Persistent - Continuing firmly or obstinately, especially despite difficulty, danger, or opposition.
• Example: "Persistent sadness is a symptom of depression."

Common Mistakes

1. Overusing basic vocabulary: Many students rely on simple words like 'good', 'bad', 'happy', and 'sad'. To achieve Band 7.0, incorporate more sophisticated terms like 'exacerbate', 'manifestation', and 'neuroplasticity'.
2. Incorrect collocations: Students often misuse collocations, such as 'do research' instead of 'conduct research' or 'have symptoms' instead of 'exhibit symptoms'.
3. Lack of specificity: Vague language like 'many people' or 'some studies' weakens arguments. Use precise terms like '60% of adolescents' or 'recent longitudinal studies'.
4. Incorrect verb forms: Mixing up verb forms, such as using 'impact' as a verb (e.g., 'social media impacts mental health') instead of 'affect' (e.g., 'social media affects mental health').
5. Spelling errors: Common spelling mistakes include 'anxietey' instead of 'anxiety', 'depresion' instead of 'depression', and 'phenomina' instead of 'phenomena'.

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