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AP PSYCHOLOGYCourse SyllabusHialeah Gardens Senior HighMrs. Borges

The purpose of AP Psychology is to introduce students to the studies of behavior and mentalprocesses of humans and animals. Students will be provided with a critical overview of the studyof psychology, focusing on the theories and research methods used in psychological science andpractice. Because psychology is a fascinating course, it is possible to explore the field using avariety of methods. The course information will be presented through lectures, classparticipation activities, demonstrations, and audio-visual aids.

COURSE TEXTBOOKWeiten, W. (2004). Psychology: Themes and Variations (6th ed.).

California: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

5 Steps to a 5: AP Psychology (ISBN: 0071624546)*

40 Studies that Changed Psychology (ISBN: 013603599X)**

1 - 2" (minimum) 3-ring binder (I give a lot of materials to help you along the way)

2 spiral notebooks (for notes/vocabulary, pages will not be ripped out!) 1 pack of dividers (for binder)

1 box of 12 colored pencils (12 minimum- 24 maximum)

1 box of markers (8-12)

1 highlighter (any color)

2 blue or black ink pens

2 pencils

college ruled notebook paper (in notebook and refilled as needed)

* 5 Steps to a 5: AP Psychology (ISBN: 0071624546) may be purchased, at almost half price, newor used, on Amazon.com or half.com. You may also purchase or borrow a used copy from a

former AP Psychology student.** 40 Studies that Changed Psychology (ISBN: 013603599X) may be checked out from a locallibrary, or purchased new or used on Amazon.com or half.com. Please keep in mind that thisbook will be used throughout the course, for several topics.

Please search for the best prices. You can get good deals on many books this way.

COURSE EXPECTATIONSStudents are expected to arrive to class on time, participate in class discussions and

activities, and complete all assigned readings and assignments. Any make-up assignments mustbe completed no later than 2 days after returning to class and must be accompanied with anexcused admit.

It is expected that each student that signs up for this course complete and turn in theaccompanying Summer Course Work on the first day of class. Failure to do so will have anegative effect on your academic progress.

AP COURSE DEMANDSIt should be understood from the beginning of this course that the expectations of this

class are consistent with those of any Advanced Placement course. Students should expect aworkload similar to that of a college level course. This will involve extensive reading every night,active participation in class discussions and activities, taking notes, completing projects, anddoing research.

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THE AP EXAMOne of the goals of this course is to prepare you for the AP Exam. A passing score will

earn you college credit for the class at most colleges and universities. The AP Psychology Examis scheduled for Monday, May 2nd.

COURSE PLANCHAPTER 1: The Evolution of Psychology- History and Approaches (1 week)

Logic, Philosophy, and History of Science

Historical Schools: Functionalism vs. Structuralism Approaches: Biological, Behavioral, Cognitive, Humanistic, Psychodynamic, Sociocultural,

EvolutionaryCHAPTER 2: Research (1 week)

Experimental, Correlational, and Clinical Research

Nature of Science Inquiry: Sources of bias and error

Statistics: Central tendency, variance, significance, correlation

Ethics in Research: Human participants, animal subjectsCHAPTER 3: Biological Basis of Behavior (3 weeks)

Neural Transmission

Functional Organization of Nervous System

Physiological Techniques

Neuroanatomy

Endocrine System

Genetics and HeritabilityCHAPTER 4: Sensation and Perception (2 weeks)

Thresholds

Sensory Mechanisms

Sensory Adaptation

Attention

Perceptual ProcessesCHAPTER 5: Consciousness (2 weeks)

Sleep and Dreaming

Hypnosis

Psychoactive Drug EffectsCHAPTER 6: Learning (1 weeks)

Classical Conditioning: Pavlov, Watson, applications

Operant Conditioning: Thorndike, Skinner, Bandura, behavior modification

Cognitive Processes in Learning

Biological Factors

Social LearningCHAPTER 7: Human Memory (1 weeks)

Memory: Encoding, Storage, and RetrievalCHAPTER 8: Language and Thought (1 weeks)

Language: Skinner and Chomsky

Thought

Problem Solving and CreativityCHAPTER 9: Intelligence and Psychological Testing (2 weeks)

Heredity/Environment and Intelligence

Human Diversity

Extremes of Intelligence: Mental Retardation, Giftedness

Standardization and Norms

Reliability and Validity

Types of Tests

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Ethics and Standards in TestingCHAPTER 10: Motivation and Emotion (2 weeks)

Biological Bases

Theories of Motivation

Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain

Social Motives

Theories of EmotionCHAPTER 11: Human Development (3 weeks)

Prenatal, Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence, and Adulthood Research Methods: Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies

HeredityEnvironment Issues

Nature vs. Nurture (maturation versus learning)

Sex Roles, Sex Differences

Influential Theories: Piaget and cognitive development, Freud and psychosocialdevelopment Kohlberg and moral development, Gilligan and gender differentiation.

CHAPTER 12: Personality (2 weeks)

Personality Theories and Approaches

Assessment Techniques

Growth and Adjustment

CHAPTER 13: Stress and Health (1 week) Nature of Stress

Major Types of Stress

Responding to Stress

Effects of Stress

Health-Impairing BehaviorsCHAPTER 14: Abnormal Psychology (3 weeks)

Definitions of Abnormality

Theories of Psychopathology

Diagnosis of Psychopathology

Types of Disorders: Anxiety, Somatoform, Mood, Schizophrenic, Organic, Personality,

DissociativeCHAPTER 15: Treatment of Psychological Disorders (2 weeks)

Treatment Approaches

Modes of Therapy

Community and Preventive ApproachesCHAPTER 16: Social Psychology (3 weeks)

Person Perception, Forming Impressions of others

Attribution Process: Explaining Behavior

Interpersonal Attraction: Liking and Loving

Attitudes: Making Social judgments

Conformity, Compliance, Obedience

Group Behavior Prejudice

REVIEW & PRACTICEThe remaining class time will be spent reviewing and practicing for the AP Psychology Exam.