Mr. Benjamin Walters ( Bwalters@iss.k12.nc.us or 704-799-8555 ext. 1333) AP Psychology Office Hours: Smart Lunch Course Description: The purpose of the AP course in Psychology is to introduce the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. This class is a year long 90 minute course. The AP Psychology exam is scheduled for the first Monday in May. Course Objectives: 1. Students will prepare to pass the Advanced Placement Exam in Psychology. 2. Students will study the major core concepts and theories of psychology. They will be able to define key terms and use these items in daily discussions. 3. Students will learn the basic skills of psychological research. They will be able to devise simple research projects, interpret and generalize from results and evaluate the validity of research reports. 4. Students will be able to recognize psychological concepts in their own lives. They should be able to recognize psychological principles when encountered in everyday situations. 5. Students will develop critical thinking skills. They will become aware of the danger of blindly accepting or rejecting any psychological theory without careful, objective evaluation. 6. Students will build their reading, writing, and discussion skills. 7. Students will learn about psychology as a profession and become aware of the educational requirements, which must be met to pursue a variety of careers in this field. They will learn about the standards of governing the work of psychologists. Determination of Grade The grading policy is such that everyone can be successful. Keeping up with work on a daily basis is the key to success. 1. Tests will occur after each unit of work. They will be announced well in advance of the test date. Tests will count for 60% of the semester grade. Test corrections will be offered at the teachers discretion. Students will have to explain question and fully explain correct answer for all incorrect questions to receive credit. Students will receive 30% of credit for incorrect questions. 2. Quizzes, which may be announced or unannounced, will make up 12% of the semester grade. 3. Homework will be used and other assignments where appropriate will make up the next 20% of the grade. Homework is due on its assigned date; I do not take late assignments. Missed assignments are recorded as a 0; if a student misses an assignment due to an absence it is the student s responsibility to obtain the assignment information. Homework will include outside readings and their analysis along with chapter readings and an outline. 4. Class Participation is a requirement in this course and in order to make a critical analysis of the written material presented and will represent 8% of the grade. Students are encouraged to analyze and present their own hypothesis concerning scientific and theoretical documentation. a. AP Psychology Exam All students who take AP Psychology are expected to take the AP Psychology Exam
Class Expectations: 1.) Students are expected to be here on time. 2.) Students need to limit absences and be responsible for work missed when absent. 3.) Bring all needed materials to class every day. Text: David Myers, Myers Psychology for AP, Worth Publishers, 2011. Other Materials: Demonstrations highlight key principles with an animation or video clip to reinforce important concepts. Critical-Thinking Activities pose key thought questions based on concepts discussed in an introductory psychology course. Students gather and evaluate further evidence to challenge assumptions or substantiate claims. Research Projects are structured research activities that can be used as collaborative laboratory activities or as individual homework assignments. There will be numerous research projects throughout AP Psychology. Course Outline: This is a basic outline of AP Psychology, the course scheduling can and will be changed at Mr. Walters discretion. Historical Foundations and Major Approaches of Scientific Psychology 1.) Explore the historical and cultural foundations of scientific psychology. 2.) Survey the major goals of psychologists, the varied specializations, and the different theoretical approaches in order to determine their strengths, challenges, and acceptability within the psychological community. Wilhelm Wundt/ Edward Tichener: Structuralism William James: Functionalism Gestalt psychology Biological Perspective Psychodynamic Perspective Biopsychosocial Perspective Cognitive Perspective Behavioral Perspective Humanistic Perspective Transpersonal Perspective Connections: Unifying Themes a. Nature (heredity) vs. Nurture (environment) b. Conscious vs. Unconscious determinates of behavior c. Observable behavior vs. Internal mental processes d. Individual differences vs. Universal principles Methods of Tests: Measure and Assessment 1.) Acquire knowledge of various methodological approaches of tests, measures, and assessment used by psychologists through experimental and practical design and the ethical implications of their use. The Scientific Method
Methods of Study a. Experimental b. Correlation c. Clinical Statistics a. Descriptive b. Inferential Ethical Concerns a. Humans b. Animals Biological Basis of Behavior 1.) Study and analyze the biological determinants of behavior and be able to describe the functions and outcomes of the various systems. Genetics a. Evolution b. Modern behavioral c. Sociobiology Neurobiology b. Electrochemical transmission Functional Organization of the Nervous System a. Central nervous system b. Peripheral nervous system c. Autonomic nervous system d. Somatic nervous system e. Sympathetic/Parasympathetic Endocrine System b. Hormones and behavior The Brain b. Brain damage c. Split-brain Phenomenon Sensation and Perception 1.) Gain an understanding of the different modes of sensation and perception through self-examination, experimental design, and comparison to others. Thresholds Vision b. Light Theories of color vision Colorblindness Hearing b. Sound c. Deafness
Vestibular and touch senses Chemical senses a. Taste b. Olfaction Perceptual Interpretation a. Attention b. Perceptual organization c. Depth perception d. Movement perception e. Pattern perception f. Perceptual learning g. The Gestalt psychology Approach Altered States of Consciousness 1.) Explore normal states of consciousness and the variations, which occur due to medication and drugs, hypnosis, and disorders. 2.) Compare and analyze the similarities and differences between the different states of consciousness. Consciousness Sleep and dreaming a. Stages b. Functions c. Theories d. Disorders e. circadian rhythms Hypnosis and Medication Drugs a. Chemicals b. Disorders Learning 1.) Analyze learning theory by studying classical studies and contemporary research. 2.) Use experimental design to test the validity of learning theory. Behaviorism Pavlov and Classical Conditioning B.F. Skinner and Operant Conditioning Social Learning Cognitive Processes in Learning Memory, Cognition, and Language 1.) Investigate memory and the thinking processes and be able to discern scope through classical and contemporary research. 2.) Demonstrate knowledge of both abstract and creative thinking processes. Information-processing perspective Memory: Improvement Thinking and mental processes Problem solving Creativity
Language Intelligence and Measurement 1.) Research and evaluate intelligence. 2.) Understand the ethical concerns as well as issues concerning bias in testing, measurement, and assessment. Standardization and norms Reliability and validity Types of tests Ethics and standards in testing Intelligence Heredity/Environment and intelligence Development Psychology 1.) Understand the psychological precepts from a developmental perspective and gain knowledge in research methodology. 2.) Study various cognitive, environmental, and cultural dimensions, which effect development. Life span approach Research methods Heredity: Environmental issues Developmental Theories Dimensions of Development a. Physical b. Cognitive c. Social d. Moral e. Languages Gender differences Parenting styles Motivation and Emotion 1.) Explore the basis of motivation a. Biological bases b. Theories of motivation 2.) Understand the relationship between emotion and motivation. 3.) Study the mental and physical manifestations, which occur due to different states of emotion. a. Hunger, thirst, sex, and pain b. Social motives c. Theories of emotion d. Conflict e. Stress Personality 1.) Assess the different theories of personality development 2.) Gain knowledge in understanding assessment procedures and methodological approach. Research methods Assessment techniques
Analyze the concept of self Self-concept, self esteem Growth and adjustment Abnormal Psychology and Treatment 1.) Compare/contrast normal and abnormal behavior. a. Definitions of Abnormality b. Theories of Psychopathology 2.) Analyze abnormal and pathological disorders and understand the relationship between development, society, and culture in relation to abnormal psychology. 3.) Gain knowledge in the treatment of various disorders as well as discuss their validity. Anxiety and avoidance disorders Substance-Related disorders Mood Disorders Schizophrenia Treatments Social Psychology 1.) Evaluate the relationship between the individual and society. 2.) Understand group, family, and society dynamics. Attribution processes Interpersonal perception Conformity, compliance, obedience Attitudes and attitude change Aggressive/Anti-social behavior Industrial-Organizational Psychology School Psychology Assistance/Parent contacts: AP Psychology provides a challenging class environment of rigorous study that exceeds factual recall. We will engage in a systematic study of psychological theories using a variety of instructional methods and materials. Emphasis on real world issues and experiential learning will introduce you to complicated questions and situations where there is no single right answer. You will be encouraged to explore, experiment, and to take intellectual risks. One of the biggest changes in this year s academic requirement will be the emphasis on critical thinking and writing skills. Reading and essays students will have to master; additionally, students must read the textbook. All too often, students have relied simply on their notes in order to study for an exam. This is not only an inefficient way to study, but students miss many explanations on material while trying to write down what is on the board. Parent contacts will be done through phone calls. Students will also be receiving progress reports every 5 weeks. Questions to Think About: 1. What are you taking this class for? Do you want to learn about psychology? Are you ready for a college level class? Are you serious about the exam in May?
2. What are your priorities? Are academic classes near the top of the list, or are you more concerned with a part-time job, athletics, television, and your social life? For a high grade in this class, academics should be a high priority. 3. How much time will you need to devote to this class? This will depend on your own strengths and weaknesses. A rule of thumb suggested by many colleges is to spend about three hours working outside of class for every hour you spend in class. Most college courses meet three hours a week. This translates to about nine out-of-class hours per week. Are you willing to make this type of commitment? 4. Are you a strong reader? In terms of course assignments, nothing will occupy more of your time that reading and studying the text. Research has shown that the strongest correlation to success in high school AP classes is reading ability. If you are a good reader you have a distinct advantage. If you are not a good reader, know that it is going to require extra time and effort on you part to compensate. Suggested Review Book to Purchase AP Study Books are available. A great choice is Rob McEntauffers Barron s Guide to the AP Psych Exam (Barron s $15.95). Another book that is a must have is Essentials to Psychology I and Psychology II. Used copies can be picked up very inexpensively. Suggested Supply List Three ring binder w/ dividers Filler paper Pens/pencils Highlighter Paper folder THE AP PSYCHOLOGY EXAM Put your in-depth exploration of psychology to the test and potentially earn college credit!! About the Exam The two-hour exam includes a 70-minute multiple-choice section and a 50-minute free-response section. Section I: Multiple-Choice This section is designed to assess the breadth of your knowledge of the subject. The questions cover the 14 areas of scientific psychology covered in the course and described in the topic outline. In some questions, you are asked to demonstrate your understanding of a psychological term (e.g., genotype, echoic memory, mania, phonemes). In others you are asked to apply concepts from a particular psychological theory (e.g., Kohlberg's theory of moral judgment, attribution theory) or to identify the theoretical framework with which a given explanation is associated (e.g., an explanation of depression in terms of norepinephrine levels). Other questions are designed to assess general understanding of the scientific method as well as knowledge of findings from major research studies or areas of study. Total scores on the multiple-choice section are based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for incorrect answers and no points are awarded for unanswered questions. Section II: Free-Response The free-response section tests your ability to make connections among constructs from a number of the 14 content domains covered in the course. There are two questions in the free-response section. Each question incorporates concepts from a number of domains. The questions often involve application, analysis, synthesis, or a critique of psychological principles. Scoring the Exam The multiple-choice section counts for two-thirds of your grade; the free-response section counts for one-third.