Download AP Psychology Syllabus

AP Psychology Syllabus
Instructor: Stacy M. Ruffin
Email: [email protected]
Textbook: Myers’ Psychology for AP David G. Myers
“The question that sometimes drives me hazy, am I or the others crazy.” Albert
Einstein
In AP Psychology we will be studying the mental functions and behaviors of
humans and animals. We will accomplish this through lectures, regular readings,
essays that mimic the writing required on the AP exam, research assignments,
and dissections.
Grading
Tests 50%
Quizzes 10%
Class Participation 10%
Homework 10%
Labs 10%
Projects 10 %
If you are absent please see me as soon as you return so we can set up a
reasonable time table for making up any missed work, ensuring that your grade
isn’t affected.
Course Scope
Students will be required along with regular readings and exams to complete
multiple small essays mimicking the writing on the AP exam.
Students will learn to write in APA style and how to successfully locate, read and
understand journal articles by completing short research assignments.
Students will be required to participate in dissections while covering sections on
Neurology and Sensation and Perception.
The Midterm and Final Exam will be cumulative.
Students will be required to participate in numerous class discussions of
assigned readings.
Course Sequence (Subject to Change)
Fall Semester
First Quarter
History and Approaches (CR 1)
Unit 1: Psychology’s History and Approaches
-Development of Psychology from its roots in classical philosophy to modern
thought
-Various approaches in psychology
-Contemporary perspectives used to understand behavior and mental process
-Major subfields of psychology and different career opportunities the discipline
offers
*Nature v. Nurture journal article readings and discussion
*Birth Order Activity
Research Methods (CR 2)
Unit 2: Research Methods: Thinking Critically With Psychological Science
-How to understand and use basic psychological statistics
-Know the differences between research strategies
-The development of Psychology as an empirical science
-APA standard of ethics
*Ethics Activity
*Experiment Design Lab
*Test Chapter 1 and 2
Biological Bases and Behavior (CR 3)
Unit 3: Biological Bases of Behavior
-Know structure and function of neuron
-Know how neurotransmitters work
-Describe and explain the organization of the nervous system
-Describe and explain the structure and function of the brain
-Know technology and clinical methods for studying the brain and its functions
-Compare and contrast the different functions of the brain’s hemisphere
-Describe structure and function of the endocrine system
-How heredity (nature) and environmental (nurture) interact to influence behavior
*Brain Labs
*Sheep Brain Dissection
*Chapter 3 Test
Developmental Psych (CR 9)
Unit 9: Developmental Psychology
-Development as a lifelong process
-Research techniques used to gather information on the developmental process
-Heredity and environmental issues
-Developmental theories
-Physical, cognitive, social, and oral dimensions of development
-Gender roles and sex and gender differences
*Reading on Harlow
*Marriage and Family Survey
*Chapter Test
Second Quarter
Sensation and Perception (CR 4)
Unit 4: Sensation and Perception
-Know and be able to explain thresholds and limitations of sensory processes
and their basic concepts
-Examine anatomy and function of the senses
-Define sensory adaptation, sensory disorders, and perceptual acuity
-Interpret the nature of attention
-Describe the interplay between the perceiver and the environment in
determining perception
*Dissection of the eye
*Perception Activities
*Sensation Study
*Chapter Test
States of Consciousness (CR 5)
Unit 5: States of Consciousness
-Know the stages and characteristics of sleep and theories behind why we sleep
-Analyze theories about why and how we dream
-Examine hypnosis and its uses
-Know the different psychoactive drugs and their effects
*Narcolepsy Video
*Chapter Test
Learning (CR 6)
Unit 6: Learning
-Know principles involved in classical and operant conditioning
-Processes in cognitive learning
-Biological factors that influence learning
-Social learning
*Classical Conditioning Worksheet
*Skinner Discussion
*Chapter Test
Cognition (CR 7)
Unit 7A: Cognition
-Encoding, storing, and retrieving information into short-term and long-term
memory
-Methods for improving memory
*Memory Lab
*Listening Exercises
*Chapter Test
Thinking, Problem Solving, Creativity, and Language
Unit 7B: Thinking, Problem Solving, Creativity, and Language
-Theories used in language acquisition
-Problems solving strategies and creativity
*Videos showing abnormalities of Wenicke and Broca’s areas
*Chapter Test
Second Semester
Third Quarter
Motivation and Emotion (CR 8)
Unit 8: Motivation and Emotion
-Theories of motivation
-Biological and environmental cues instigating basic motivation
-Theories and physiology of emotion
-Psychological and physiological reactions to stress
*Emotional IQ
*Eating Disorders
*Chapter Test
Personality (CR 10)
Unit 10: Personality
-Different approaches to studying personality
-Tools and test used in personality development
-Self-concept and self-esteem
-Growth and adjustment of personality
*Take Myers-Briggs
*Defense Mechanisms Activity
*Perspectives Activity
*Chapter Test
Testing and Individual Differences (CR 11)
Unit 11: Testing and Individual Differences
-Standardization, norms, reliability, and validity in testing
-Types of tests and ethical issues involved in use of these tests
-Nature of intelligence testing and intelligence
-Impact of heredity and environment on intelligence
-Human diversity and individual differences
-History of intelligence testing and its use to promote prejudice
*Mensa Test
*Chapter Test
Abnormal Psychology (CR 12)
Unit 12: Abnormal Psychology
-Define abnormal behavior
-Theories of psychopathology
-Use of the DSM in diagnosing psychopathological disorders
-Define etiology and diagnostic criteria for anxiety, somatoform, mood,
schizophrenic, organic, personality, and dissociative disorders
*Psychological Disorders
*What is abnormal? worksheet
*Chapter Test
Fourth Quarter
Treatment of Psychological Disorders (CR 13)
Unit 13: Treatment of Psychological Disorders
-Different treatment approaches, theories and styles of therapy
-Modes of therapy
-Community and preventative approaches to psychological disorders
*Therapy Role Play
*Case Studies
Chapter Test
Social Psychology (CR 14)
Unit 14: Social Psychology
-How structure and function of a given group affects the behavior of the group
and the individual
-Attribution processes where individuals form judgments about self and others
-The influence of stereotyping on behavior
-Classic studies dealing with conformity, compliance, and obedience
*Videos – milgram, zimbardo
Chapter Test
Careers In Psychology
Appendix A: Careers In Psychology
-Learn about the various careers in Psychology today including educational
requirements
Psychology at Work
Appendix B: Psychology at Work
-Learn how personnel psychologist benefit the workplace
-Learn the role of an organizational psychologist
-Learn how human factor psychologists create user-friendly machines and work
spaces
*Activity creating a product or improving upon a current product
Promoting Health
Appendix C: Promoting Health
-Define Stress
-Study methods to reduce stress
*Stress Activity
Animal Thinking and Language
Appendix D: Animal Thinking and Language
-Study animal thinking and language
*Videos on Animal Communication
*Test on all four appendices
We will have a two-week review before our AP Exam.