Rathus, Spencer A. Psychology: Principles in Practice. New York, NY; Harcourt Publishers. Online Sources

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1 AP Psychlgy AP Psychlgy is an advanced placement curse ffered at the high schl level. As the fficial curse descriptin states: The AP Psychlgy curse is designed t intrduce students t the systematic and scientific study f the behavir and mental prcesses f human beings and ther animals. Students are expsed t the psychlgical facts, principles, and phenmena assciated with each f the majr subfields within psychlgy. They als learn abut the ethics and methds psychlgists use in their science and practice. This curse will serve as a full-year curse catered specifically t 11th and 12th grade students, ultimately culminating in an Advanced Placement examinatin in May. Students receiving a qualified grade n this exam will be eligible fr cllege credit. Curse Standards All participants within the curse will be expected t maintain a high level f academic perfrmance that meets r exceeds the requirements f a cllege-level curse. Students that fail t display a cmmitment t success in this curse can and will be asked t recnsider their participatin. This curse cntains a great deal f cntent and vcabulary, ften presented with reference t bth scientific and empirical appraches. Students shuld be aware f nt nly the cncepts f varius psychlgical principles, but als their applicatin t the real wrld. Curse Objectives Students will prepare in the necessary knwledge and skills required fr a passing grade n the AP Psychlgy Examinatin held in May. Students will examine the majr cre cncepts and theries related t mdern and histrical psychlgy. Students will be able t define and prperly use key psychlgy-related vcabulary. Students will be able t understand the basics f psychlgical research and study. Students will be able t apply psychlgical principles t their wn day-t-day experiences. Students will be able t evaluate psychlgical studies and infrmatin. Students will develp key critical thinking skills (especially related t psychlgy). Resurces within AP Psychlgy Textbk Rathus, Spencer A. Psychlgy: Principles in Practice. New Yrk, NY; Harcurt Publishers. Online Surces Will be used by students thrughut the curse, particularly during PsychNews analyses (dne nce per unit): The Guardian (Psychlgy Page) Psychlgy Tday PsychCentral.cm Medical News Tday (MNT) American Psychlgy Assciatin (APA) ScienceDaily.cm Review Bk Optinal, thugh recmmended highly by the instructr (ask instructr fr recmmendatins)

2 Additinal Materials Additinal materials, including articles related t varius research and studies, will be prvided fr students when required. Grading Plicy This curse will emply the use f a pint system t calculate grades. All assignments and assessments will be graded ut f a number f available pints. At the end f the marking perid, the ttal f all earned pints will be calculated ut f a ttal number f available pints and a percentage will be awarded. In the next sectin, all assignments will be detailed alng with their maximum number f pints. Assignments and Activities Unit Tests (200 pints each) At the cnclusin f each f the 14 units, a 200-pint unit test will be given. 100 pints f this will be based n 50 multiple-chice (AP-style) questins with an additinal 100 pints given fr an AP-style essay. After Unit II, all unit tests will include 10 review questins within the 50 multiple chice questins prvided. Majr Prjects ( pints each) Several units will invlve lng-term prjects related t the cntent being discussed. Requirements will vary, and will always be prvided by the instructr. Majr Prjects include: UNIT II: Research and Statistics Packet Prject UNIT XII: (Partner Prject) Research Prject Related t Psychlgical Disrder UNIT XIV: Lng-Term Ethngraphic Study REVIEW ASSIGNMENT: Experimental Design POST-AP EXAM: Research/Thesis Prject n a cntrversial tpic Frmative Quizzes ( pints each) Lnger units may include frmative quizzes which will cver all materials cvered within the unit thus far. Psychlgy Labs (50 pints each) In mst units, varius labs will take place (ften requiring the class t shift t the cmputer labs r available Bilgy classrms). These labs will be required, and will invlve varius write-ups and assciated assignments. Unit Textbk Wrk (50 pints per unit) Each unit will have varius reading assignments frm the textbk. Students are expected t cmplete these readings, as well as the questins that fllw within each sectin, by the end f each unit. Written (r typed) assigned questins will be due n the day f the unit examinatin. PsychNews (25 pints each) At the cnclusin f each f the 14 units, students will be expected t select a recent (within the past tw weeks) news article related t the field f psychlgy (and preferably t the tpic being discussed in class). Students will then be asked t cmplete a full analysis f the research (including identificatin f varius cmpnents, assessment f validity, identificatin f bias, etc.). Frms fr this are available frm the instructr. PsychNews assignments will be due n the day f the unit examinatin. Additinal Hmewrk Assignments (10-25 pints each) Additinal hmewrk assignments and wrksheets may take place within any unit.

3 Curse Plan AP Psychlgy will fllw the curse plan belw. Percentages indicate the apprximate percentages f the AP Exam s multiple chice sectin devted t that unit s cntent. UNIT I: Histry and Appraches (2-4%) Bk: Chapter 1 Lgic, Philsphy, and Histry f Science and Psychlgy Psychlgical Appraches Bilgical, Behaviral, Cgnitive, Humanistic, Psychdynamic, Scicultural, Evlutinary/Scibilgical MAJOR ACTIVITY: AP Psych Mixer (Using varius persnas frm the seven majr appraches) What is Psychlgy? Hw has psychlgy develped ver the years? What majr figures have played a part in this? Hw have the Behaviral and Psychdynamic Appraches shaped much f mdern Psychlgy? Hw have ther appraches t psychlgy shaped the field (Bilgical, Cgnitive, Humanistic, Scicultural, Evlutinary)? Hw have varius figures played a part in the develpment f psychlgy (Wundt, Hall, James, Pavlv, Freud, Watsn, Skinner, etc.) UNIT II: Research Methds (8-10%) Bk: Chapter 2 Experimental, Crrelatinal, and Clinical Research Crrelatinal and Experimental MAJOR ACTIVITY: Unit II Research and Statistics packet (Self-Driven mini-activities) Statistics Descriptive, Inferential Ethics in Research What are the differences between applied and basic research? Identify the basic elements f an experiment (variables, grups, sampling, ppulatins, cntrls, etc.). What is the experimental methd? Cmpare and cntrast the varius research methds (Case Study, Survey, Naturalistic Observatin, Lngitudinal, Labratry Observatin, Crrelatinal, etc.) What are the measures f central tendency and measures f variatin? What are ethics? Discuss the ethics f animal and human research. What standards are invlved in human testing? UNIT III: Bilgical Bases f Behavir (8-10%) Bk: Chapter 3 Physilgical Techniques (Imaging, Surgical) Neuranatmy MAJOR ACTIVITY: LAB - Dissectin f fetal pig brains, Identificatin f majr parts MAJOR ACTIVITY: LAB - (T be held during Deer Seasn later in the year, Optinal Activity) Dissectin f deer brain, identificatin f majr parts Functinal Organizatin f the Nervus System Neural Transmissin Endcrine System Genetics MAJOR ACTIVITY: Special Guest ( Ben, child with Dwn Syndrme) Describe the verall structure f the neurn. Hw des cmmunicatin ccur between neurns? Hw des this invlve neurtransmitters? Describe the structure and functin f the majr divisins f the nervus system.

4 Describe the functins f the brain structures (Thalamus, Cerebellum, Amygdala, Hippcampus, etc.) What are the fur lbes f the cerebral crtex? What are their functins? What are assciatin areas (Brca s, Wernicke s Area, etc.)? Explain split-brain studies and studies f brain plasticity. What is the endcrine system and hw des it interact with the nervus system? Hw des genetics shape psychlgy? Describe varius genetic disrders (Dwn Syndrme, Turner s Syndrme, etc.) UNIT IV: Sensatin and Perceptin (6-8%) Bk: Chapter 4 Threshlds MAJOR ACTIVITY: Skittle Taste Test Hw d taste and smell relate t each ther? Sensry Mechanisms Sensry Adaptatin Attentin Perceptual Prcesses What is sensatin? What is perceptin? What are meant by abslute and difference threshlds? Hw d they cntrast? What are the varius structural cmpnents assciated with visin and auditin? Describe the peratin f the five basic senses as well as kinesthetic and vestibular sense. Explain the cmpeting theries f clr visin (Yung-Hemhltz, Oppnent-Prcess). Explain the cmpeting theries f pitch perceptin (Place Thery, Frequency Thery). Discuss research n depth perceptin and cues. Hw has Gestalt Thery played a part in ur understanding f perceptin? UNIT V: States f Cnsciusness (2-4%) Bk: Chapter 5 MAJOR ACTIVITY: Take-Hme Packet Over Thanksgiving Break Sleeping and Dreaming MAJOR ACTIVITY: Analysis f sleep study research Hypnsis Psychactive Drug Effects Describe the cyclical nature f sleep. What functins des it satisfy? Hw can it be affected by sleep disrders? What are the functins f dreams? What are the differences between REM and NREM? What is hypnsis? Describe cmmn names and effects f varius depressants, stimulants, and hallucingenic drugs. What psychlgical effects can each induce? UNIT VI: Learning (7-9%) Bk: Chapter 6 Classical Cnditining MAJOR ACTIVITY: LAB Cnditining an Eye Blink Operant Cnditining Cgnitive Prcesses in Learning Bilgical Factrs MAJOR ACTIVITY: Analysis f Research Lucy the Chimpanzee (Temerlin) Are we taught t be human? (Nature Vs. Nurture) Scial Learning

5 Describe the prcess f classical cnditining (Use Pavlv s experiment as a case study). What are acquisitin, extinctin, spntaneus recvery, generalizatin, and discriminatin? Describe the prcess f perant cnditining. Hw have researchers like B.F. Skinner shaped ur thughts n learning? Describe the effects f reinfrcement, reinfrcement schedules, and punishment. Describe the prcess f bservatinal learning (Use Bandura s experiments as a case study) UNIT VII: Cgnitin (8-10%) Bk: Chapter 8, 7 Memry MAJOR ACTIVITY: Analysis f Variatins f Memry The Man With the 30-Secnd Memry Language Thinking Prblem-Slving and Creativity Describe memry and the varius theries assciated with it. Using the 3-Stage Mdel, what is meant by Sensry, Shrt-Term, and Lng-Term Memry? Explain the encding prcess. Hw d Lng-Term and Shrt-Term memry differ? Describe retrieval cues and their imprtance. What is interference? What is meant by the Cnstructive nature f memry? Describe the structure (phnemes, mrphemes) and purpse f language. Identify the varius stages f language develpment. Hw des this play int the Nature Vs. Nurture debate (particularly the ideas f Skinner and Chmsky)? Describe Whrf s Linguistic Relativity Hypthesis. Describe the nature f cncepts and prttypes. Discuss the use f trial and errr, algrithms, heuristics, and insight within cgnitin. UNIT VIII: Mtivatin and Emtin (6-8%) Bk: Chapter 13, 17 Bilgical Bases Theries f Mtivatin Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain Scial Mtives Theries f Emtin Stress Define mtivatin and identify mtivatinal theries. Discuss the psychlgical and cultural influences n hunger. Discuss the psychlgical and cultural influence n sex drive. Define achievement mtivatin. Differentiate between intrinsic and extrinsic mtivatin. What are the three theries f mtin, and hw d they differ (James-Lange, Cannn-Bard, Schachter-Singer? Describe the physilgical changes assciated with emtinal arusal. What is stress? What bilgical respnses take place because f it? UNIT IX: Develpmental Psychlgy (7-9%) Bk: Chapter 10, 11, 16 Life-span Apprach Research Methds (Lngitudinal, Crss-Sectinal) Heredity-Envirnmental Issues Develpmental Theries Dimensins f Develpment Physical, Cgnitive, Scial, Mral Sex Rles, Sex Differences

6 Discuss the curse f pre-natal develpment. Describe the varius develpment theries f Piaget, Eriksn, and Khlberg. Describe the develpment f self-cncept. What is meant by self-cncept? Within develpmental research, hw d lngitudinal and crss-sectinal studies differ? Hw des develpment change an individual physically, scially, and cgnitively? What is meant by bdy cntact? Familiarity? Respnsive parenting? What are the effects f each? Describe the benefits f secure attachment versus the dangers f parental neglect and separatin. UNIT X: Persnality (5-7%) Bk: Chapter 14 Persnality Theries and Appraches Assessment Techniques Self-Cncept, Self-Esteem Grwth and Adjustment Describe Freud s persnality structure (Id, Eg, Supereg). Describe defense mechanisms. Hw d they prtect an individual? What is meant by Ne-Freudianism? Hw have Ne-Freudians cntributed t psychlgy? Describe persnality inventries and their use in assessing traits. Describe the humanistic cntributins t ideas f develpment (Maslw, Rgers). What is meant by self-actualizatin? What is meant by ptential fr grwth? Hw d individualism and cllectivism impact self-identity? Describe the scial-cgnitive perspective n persnality. What is meant by persnal cntrl? Learned helplessness? Optimism? What are the cnsequences t each? UNIT XI: Testing and Individual Differences (5-7%) Bk: Chapter 9 MAJOR ACTIVITY: Take-Hme Packet Over Christmas Break Standardizatin and Nrms Reliability and Validity Types f Tests Ethics and Standards in Testing Intelligence Heredity/Envirnment and Intelligence Human Diversity Describe the nature f intelligence. What are the rigins f its testing? What is creativity? Hw des this relate t the idea f insight? Distinguish between aptitude and achievement tests. What is test standardizatin? Distinguish between reliability and validity within testing. Hw is intelligence affected by bth nature (genetics) and nurture (envirnment)? Discuss the claim that intelligence tests are culturally-biased. UNIT XII: Abnrmal Psychlgy (7-9%) Bk: Chapter 18 Definitins f Abnrmality Theries f Psychpathlgy Diagnsis f Psychpathlgy Anxiety Disrders Smatfrm Disrders Md Disrders

7 Schizphrenic Disrders Organic Disrders Persnality Disrders Dissciative Disrders MAJOR ACTIVITY: Disrder Research and Presentatin Describe the medical mdel f psychlgical disrders. What is the DSM-IV? Identify the criteria fr judging what behavir is cnsidered a psychlgical disrder. What are the dangers f diagnstic labels? What are the symptms and causes f: Generalized anxiety disrder Phbias Obsessive-cmpulsive disrder Psttraumatic stress disrder Smatfrm and md disrders Schizphrenia Describe rganic and persnality disrders. Describe the characteristics and pssible causes f dissciative disrders. Be able t identify the afrementined disrders based n their symptms. UNIT XIII: Treatment f Psychlgical Disrders (5-7%)Bk: Chapter 19 Treatment Appraches: Insight Therapies Behaviral Appraches Cgnitive Appraches Bilgical Appraches Mdes f Therapy Cmmunity and Preventative Appraches Discuss hw thse with mental disrders were treated histrically. Discuss the imprtance f multiple theries f treatment fr psychlgical disrders. Discuss the aims f psychanalysis. What methds are typically emplyed? Describe the success f psychtherapies. Describe the varius characteristics f humanistic therapy. Describe the varius characteristics f behavir therapy. Describe the varius characteristics f cgnitive therapy. Discuss the benefits f grup therapy and family therapy. Hw d values and cultural differences affect the therapeutic prcess? Describe the cmmn frms f drug therapy. Describe electrcnvulsive therapy. UNIT XIV: Scial Psychlgy (8-10%) Bk: Chapter 21 Grup Dynamics MAJOR ACTIVITY: Lng-Term Ethngraphic Study (minimum f 3 Observatins, All bserved grups must be apprved by the instructr) Attributin Prcesses Interpersnal Perceptin Cnfrmity, Cmpliance, and Obedience Attitudes and Attitude Change Organizatinal Behavir Aggressin/Antiscial Behavir

8 Describe the imprtance f Attributin and Affiliatin when understanding scial behavir. Describe the effect f rle-playing n attitudes in terms f cgnitive dissnance thery. Describe the findings f Asch s experiment n cnfrmity. Describe the findings f Milgram s experiments n authrity and bedience. Hw can grup interactin facilitate grup plarizatin and grupthink? Describe the findings f Zimbard s famus prisn experiments. Describe the scial, emtinal, and cgnitive factrs that cntribute t the persistence f cultural, ethnic, and gender prejudice and discriminatin. Discuss the issues related t aggressin and attractin. Explain altruistic behavir in terms f scial exchange thery and scial nrms. Describe the bystander effect. REVIEW UNIT: Review fr the AP Examinatin Review f all tpics (3 Weeks) MAJOR ACTIVITY: Experimental Design Students design a simple experiment based n the wrk f real psychlgists; students must site the research f at least tw ther studies that reflect the ideas f their wn wuld-be research POST-AP UNIT: After the AP Examinatin MAJOR ACTIVITY: Thesis/Research Prject n cntrversial subject within psychlgy (must include full-length paper and minute presentatin)