Download Purpose: "The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce

AP PSYCHOLOGY SYLLABUS-Mr. McLaughlin
Phoenixville Area HS-2013-2014
Purpose:
"The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific
study of 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 within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists
use in their science and practice." (Taken from the AP Guide.)
Course Objectives:
1. Develop an understanding of the major core concepts and theories of psychology.
2. Understand the basic types of psychological research.
4. Develop critical thinking skills.
5. Exercise reading, writing, and discussion skills.
6. Learn the ethical standards governing the work of psychologists.
7. Prepare to do outstanding work on the Advanced Placement Psychology Test.
Textbook:
Zimbardo, Phillip G. et al, Psychology AP Edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2007.
Teacher Resources:
Gruber, Craig. Instructor’s Manual for Zimbardo’s AP Psychology. Boston: Allyn and Bacon,
2007.
Houck, Roger R. Forty Studies that Changed Psychology: Explorations into the History of
Psychological Research, 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2002.
Student Expectations:
Students are expected to complete all required readings (textbook and articles) before coming
to class. They should also be ready and willing to discuss the readings in class.
Students are also required to complete the assigned vocabulary terms for each chapter.
**At this point in your education you should know what works best for you. I will not collect
vocab terms or “check you off” for them. You need to know them. You can always come see
me in the morning if there are any concepts that you do not fully comprehend.
Grading:
As per school policy the following scale is used:
Homework-10%
Quizzes-30%-expect reading check quizzes often.
Tests-60%
*Projects and research assignments (depending on length) will count as either quizzes or tests.
*Cheating/plagiarism in any form is not tolerated and will result in an automatic 0 for the
assignment and comes with a disciplinary referral as per school policy.
UNIT I: Introduction, History, and Research Methods. 3 Weeks.
Essential Questions:
What is Psychology/ What is it not?
What are Psychology's roots?
What do Psychologists do?
What are the perspectives psychologists use?
How do Psychologists develop knowledge?
-How do they interpret data?
Content/Skills:
Define Psychology and explain why it is a science
Name and define the different fields in Psychology.
Name and define the different specialties in Psychology
Identify and describe the following in the context of the history of Psych:
-Structuralism
-Functionalism
-Gestalt
-Behaviorism
-Psychoanalysis
Name and describe the different perspectives in Psychology.
Describe the difference between psychology and pseudopsychology.
Name the 5 steps of the scientific method.
Describe how the scientific method is used for investigation.
Name the common types of research design.
Explain bias and list the sources of bias in research.
Discuss typical ethical concerns in applied psychology.
UNIT II: Biopsychology and the Brain. 2 ½ weeks.
Essential Questions:
How are genes and behavior linked?
How does the body communicate internally?
How does the brain influence behavior and mental processes?
Content/Skills:
Discuss the process of evolution and natural selection
Explain the components of genetic processes and their influence on behavior.
Compare the nervous and endocrine systems and their function.
Describe the anatomy and function of the neuron.
Describe how neurons use electricity to communicate.
Discuss the specialized function of the two hemispheres.
UNIT III: Sensation and Perception. 3 weeks.
Essential Questions:
How does stimulation become sensation?
How are the senses alike/how are they different?
What is the relationship between perception and sensation?
Content/Skills:
Define and distinguish between sensation and perception.
Describe how stimuli are interpreted in the CNS.
Name the senses and describe their anatomy and function.
Describe how humans make perceptual judgments.
Describe what we can learn about the brain from optical illusions.
Identify and discuss the major theoretical explanations of perception.
UNIT IV: States of Consciousness. 2 weeks.
Essential Questions:
What is the nature of consciousness?
What are the cycles of consciousness?
What “other” forms can consciousness take?
What are the theories concerning the function of dreams?
Content/Skills:
Define Consciousness and list the methods for studying it.
Discuss the content and function of dreams.
Describe the stages of the sleep cycle.
Explain hypnosis and meditation.
List and classify commonly used psychoactive drugs.
Identify the major sleep disorders.
UNIT V: Learning. 2 ½ weeks.
Essential Questions:
How does classical conditioning explain learning?
How does one learn new behaviors by operant conditioning?
How does cognitive psychology explain learning?
Content/Skills:
Define the concept of learning.
Explain the process of classical conditioning.
Explain the process of operant conditioning.
Name and describe the schedules of reinforcement.
Discuss the criticisms of using punishment to shape behavior.
Discuss the criticisms of cognitive psychologists concerning behaviorism.
UNIT VI: Cognition. 2 ½ weeks.
Essential Questions:
What is memory?
How do we form memories?
Why does memory sometimes fail?
What are the components of thought?
What makes a “good thinker?”
Content/Skills:
Define the concept of memory and describe its functions.
Name the stages of memory.
Describe how processing in memory works.
Distinguish between implicit and explicit memories.
Describe the process of priming, recall, and recognition.
Discuss how “false memories” happen.
Describe several techniques used to improve memory.
UNIT VII: Motivation and Emotion. 2 ½ weeks.
Essential Questions:
What do our emotions do for us?
Where do emotions come from?
How can emotions be controlled?
How does motivation control our actions?
How are the basic motivations alike/different?
What role does stress play on our bodies and minds?
Content/Skills:
Describe the functions of emotion.
Identify the primary emotions.
Describe the biological basis of emotion.
Discuss emotional intelligence and control.
Discuss the leading theories of motivation.
Define Motivation.
Explain how stress influences the mind and body.
UNIT VIII: Psychological Development: 3 weeks.
Essential Questions:
How do psychologists explain development?
What capabilities do newborns possess?
What are the developmental tasks of childhood?
What are the developmental tasks of adolescence?
What changes take place in adulthood?
In what ways do people prepare for death?
Content/Skills:
Discuss the influence of the nature-nurture interaction on development.
Describe the key phases of prenatal development.
Identify the special capabilities of newborns.
Describe the process of physical and cognitive development.
Discuss the major areas of development in adolescence.
Describe Erickson’s phases of adult development.
UNIT IX: Personality: 2 weeks.
Essential Questions:
What forces shape our personality?
What patterns are found in personality?
What theories do people use to understand each other?
Content/Skills:
Define the term “personality.”
Name and describe the major theories of personality.
Evaluate the major personality theories.
Define “personality trait” and discuss trait and temperament theories.
Discuss the commonly used personality assessment techniques.
Explain implicit personality theory.
Discuss social and cultural influences on personality.
UNIT X: Testing and Individual Differences. 2 weeks.
Essential Questions:
How is intelligence measured?
What are the components of intelligence?
What are the types of intelligence?
How do psychologists explain IQ differences among groups?
Content/Skills:
Define intelligence.
Describe the history of intelligence testing.
Graph results of an IQ test.
Test for reliability using graphs.
Discuss “mental retardation” and “giftedness.”
Define and compare competing theories of intelligence.
Discuss the controversy over IQ testing concerning various ethnic and racial groups.
UNIT XI: Psychological Disorders. 3 weeks.
Essential Questions:
What is a psychological disorder?
How are psychological disorders classified?
What are the consequences of labeling people?
Content/Skills:
Identify the criteria for judging whether behavior is psychologically disordered.
Describe the medical model of psychological disorders.
Discuss how the DSM-IV is organized, and is used in the profession of psychology.
Describe the symptoms of various psychological disorders.
UNIT XII: Therapy. 2 weeks.
Essential Questions:
What is therapy?
How do psychologists treat disorders?
How is the biomedical approach used for treatment of disorders?
Content/Skills:
Define the term psychotherapy.
Briefly describe the history of therapy.
Name and explain the different types of therapy.
Discuss the effectiveness of the different types of therapy.
Discuss the basis for the use of drug therapy in treatment.
Discuss the issues associated with hospitalization, deinstitutionalization, and community-based
treatment.
UNIT XIII: Social Psychology. 3 weeks.
Essential Questions:
How do social situations influence behavior?
What influences our judgments of others?
What are the roots of violence and terrorism?
Content/Skills:
Define and discuss roles, norms, and scripts.
Explain diffusion of responsibility and the bystander effect.
Identify how our interpretation of social situation influences our judgments and behavior.
Define the principles of social cognition such as proximity, similarity, and the matching
hypothesis.
Define cognitive dissonance, and provide examples.
Describe the tendencies that are related to prejudice and discrimination.
Describe some of the principles of social psychology that help us better resolve and prevent
unnecessary conflicts.