Download AP Psychology Syllabus 2015 2016

Course: AP Psychology
Instructor: Mr. Scott Coleman
School Year: 2015-2016
Purpose: The AP Psychology class is designed to introduce students to the
systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human
beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts,
principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields with
psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in
their science and practice. The course will challenge you to think at a high level to
understand and analyze human behavior as well as successfully passing the
college board exam.
Guidelines and Procedures
The use of cell phones and electronic devises is strictly prohibited unless
approved for research purposes. They are to be put away when class begins.
All students are required to have and maintain a three ring binder
Listening, writing, and thinking skills are essential. Be focused!!
Due to some of the issues and concepts explored, all students are to conduct
themselves in a professional manner
During classroom reviews, experiments, and discussions, all students are expected
to participate as well as respect other points of view
Each day the class begins with a “Thought Question” The TQ is designed to
develop your psychological knowledge.
During the week we will have presentations, activities, and case studies. All in
class work will be scored as your weekly notebook grade.
During the year we will supplement some films that correspond with the unit.
And last but not least, you will be spelling psychology, psychological,
psychoanalytical, etc. quite a lot this year. Feel free to abbreviate in your notes.
The mind, brain, and human behavior makes for a complex and fascinating
subject. Set your goals high to pass the college board exam. Just for fun, let’s
examine a sample AP Psychology question.
Some people have said listening to certain rock music songs backwards often
perceive an evil message. That phenomenon best illustrates.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Parapsychology
Complimentary afterimages
Perceptual constancy
Perceptual adaptation
Top down processing
Not sure?? Don’t worry. If you work hard in class by the time May gets here you
will be quite proficient in Psychology.
Grading Policy
Test: 60 %
Daily: 40%
Please note that required psychoanalytical writings count as a Test grade. All
writings are expected to be turned in on the assigned due date. NO WRITING WILL
BE ACCEPTED if more than two days late.
If you miss school the day of a test, it is YOUR responsibility to make it up
provided the absence was excused
Text book and Resources: Psychology and You 3rd edition Supplemental reading
and information from Understanding Psychology, Introduction to Psychology
(Plotnik) and www.allpsych.com
Psychological Content Areas
The course provides instruction in each of the following 14 content areas:
History and approaches
Research Methods
Biological bases of behavior
Sensation and Perception
States of Consciousness
Learning
Cognition
Motivation and emotion
Developmental Psychology
Personality
Testing and Individual differences
Abnormal behavior
Treatment of abnormal behavior
Social psychology
As relevant to each content area, the course provides instruction in empirically
supported psychological facts, research findings, terminology, associated
phenomena, major figures, perspectives, and psychological experiments.
The course teaches ethics in research methods and psychological science and
practice. An essential question addressed in AP Psychology is “ I wonder why that
person did that?” Through an extensive body of study, students will appreciate
how psychologists study human behavior and attempt to develop theories to
explain particular behaviors.
Course Objectives
Describe and compare different approaches in explaining behavior
Recognize philosophical thoughts that shaped psychological thought
Recognize the strengths and limitations of applying theories to explain human
behavior
Identify important figures in psychology
Differentiate the types of research
Describe the process of conducting research
Describe the importance of ethics in research
Describe the importance of validity
Identify the components of research
Identify basic processes and systems in the biological basis of behavior
Describe the nervous system and its functions
Describe the latest research on brain injuries
Describe how hereditary and environment shape behavior
Discuss basic principles of sensation and perception
Describe sensory processes
Discuss how experiences and culture influence perceptual processes
Identify the major figures in the field of sensation and perception
Describe the various states of consciousness
Discuss aspects of sleep and dreams
Describe historical and contemporary usages of hypnosis
Identify the major figures in consciousness research
Distinguish between classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and
observational learning
Apply the learning principles to explain emotional learning, taste aversion, and
learned helplessness
Identify key contributors in the psychology of learning
Describe the psychological process of learning
Compare and contrast various cognitive processes
Describe and differentiate between psychological systems of memory
Identify and describe various methods of problem solving
List the characteristics of creativity and creative thinkers
Identify important figures in the field of cognition
Identify and apply basic motivational concepts to understand the behavior of
humans and other animals
Compare and contrast motivational theories
Compare and contrast major theories of emotion
Discuss the interaction of nature and nurture
Explain the maturation of cognitive abilities
Compare and contrast models of moral development
Discuss maturational challenges in adolescence, including related family
conflicts
Explain how parenting styles influence development
Identify key contributors in developmental psychology
Describe major theories on how humans develop patterns of behavior and
personality
Identify frequently used assessment strategies
Identify key contributors to personality theory
Describe intelligence and creativity and how psychologists evaluate and label
them
Compare and contrast various theories of intelligence
Identify key contributors in intelligence research and testing
Identify and describe various psychological disorders
Describe various treatments used in therapy
Identify major figures in psychological treatment
Describe how individuals relate to one another in social situations
Describe the structure and function of different kinds of group behavior
Understand the scope and purpose of social psychology
Identify important figures in social psychology
Course Overview:
Unit 1: Approaches to Psychology: This unit includes an in-depth examination of
the approaches psychologists use to study human behavior. This unit also includes
emphasis of the history of psychology, important contributions, and the
connection to philosophical thinkers. Students will also learn the scientific
method, the principles of psychological research, and methods use to gather data.
This also includes the importance of ethics as well as statistical analysis.
Unit 2: Brain, Body, and Awareness: This unit allows students to study in-depth
the functions of the brain and nervous system which includes dual brain
psychology, Commissurotomy, excitotoxicity and the latest in brain research.
Students will also study psychophysics, the signal-detection theory, Fechner’s
Law, Depth perception, and perceptual cues. In class experiments will include
applications of sensation.
Unit 3: Cognitive Processes: This unit allows students to explore and learn the
levels of consciousness, the extensions of waking life, stages of sleep, Dr. Lilly’s
Altered states of consciousness, and Freud’s dream interpretation and
psychoanalysis. Students will also examine classical conditioning, operant
conditioning, and social learning. Students will also examine motivation and learn
the instinct theory, drive-reduction theory, incentive theory, and cognitive theory
Unit 4: Human Development: This unit examines the issue of heredity vs.
environment as the basis of the study of infancy, childhood, and adolescence.
Students examine the development of language skills as well as physical and
psychological changes that occur during adolescence. This unit also examines
physical and psychological differences and similarities between men and women
and the influence of socialization and gender roles.
Unit 5: Personality, Adjustment, and Conflict: This unit looks at theories that
explain personality. Psychoanalytic, social psychoanalytic, behavioral, and
humanistic theories are looked are examined. Trait theories are also introduced.
This unit also examines how personalities and personal abilities are measured.
The unit will examine conflict and stress and offers solutions to cope with
pressure. Attention will also be given to substance abuse involving drugs, alcohol,
and nicotine.
Unit 6: Psychological Disorders: This unit focuses on the nature of mental
disorders and introduces students to the DSM-IV. Students will explore anxiety,
somatoform, dissociative, mood, psychotic, and personality disorders.
The unit will examine the treatments and various therapies in terms of mental
illness. This unit will also be addressed when current events reflect mental health
issues.
Unit 7: Society and Culture: This unit examines and teaches sociocultural
influences and relationships while looking at hidden influences on behavior,
aggression, and violence in individuals and society. Students will examine how
psychologists view the formulation of attitudes and beliefs. This final unit also
examines group influences, cultural diversity, changing attitudes, and social
persuasion.