Melody Barger



AP Psychology Syllabus

Mrs. Amber M. Rice

Email: arice@

314-415-5703

Plan 1& 2

A: Brief Description of Course

AP Psychology introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental process of human beings. Students will be exposed to psychological facts, principals, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They will also learn about the methods psychologists use to explore the process involved in normal and abnormal perceptions, thoughts, feelings and actions. This course is designed to prepare students for the AP exam.

B: Resources Used for Class:

Textbook:

Myers, D. G. (2014). Myers' Psychology for AP (2nd Editions ed.). Holland, MI: Worth Publishers.

Supplemental Reading:

Hock, Roger R. Forty Studies that Changed Psychology. 6th Edition ed. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009. Print.

Review AP Books:

HIGHLY ENCOURAGED for PURCHASE!

Weseley, Allyson J., and Robert McEntaraff. Barron's AP Psychology. 8th ed. USA: Library of Congress, 2018. Print

C: Communication Information:

It is critical you keep up with up to the date information about homework, tests, due dates, etc. In order to stay informed you will need to sign up for REMIND 101, check our homework page periodically and MOST IMPORTANTLY LISTEN and RECORD any homework assignments mentioned at the end of class.

Quick Links:

➢ Homework Page: GetPsychedAP. or Google Classroom/Schoology

➢ Remind: Sign up for Text Alerts!

• Red Day: To receive messages via text, text the message @apred18 to the number 81010

• Blue Day: To receive messages via text, text @apblue18 to the number 81010

➢ GET PSYCHED! Webpage:

This site houses TONS of RESOURCES, TEMPLATES, SIMULATIONS, BRIDGE & ACTION IDEAS….MUST SEE!

D: Materials Needed for Class:

← 2 inch binder

← 18 divider tabs (you can make these with post-it notes)

← Psych Notebook

← Blue or Black Pen

← Highlighter

← Post Its

E: Course Objectives

1. In studying the major core concepts and theories of Psychology, students will be able to define key terms and use these terms in their everyday vocabulary.

2. Students will be able to apply psychological concepts to their own lives.

3. Students will be able to recognize psychological principles when they encounter them in everyday situations.

4. Students will evaluate psychological theories using the tools of psychological research. They will become aware of the danger of blindly accepting or rejecting any psychological theory without careful, objective evaluation.

5. Students will build on their reading, writing, and discussion skills.

F. Expectations: You will be expected to accomplish the following items:

• BE READY! Be on time and ready to learn.

• BE RESPONSIBLE! Have your notebook, binder, post-its, pen, textbook and HOMEWORK with you, every day.

• BE RESPONSIVE! You will need to participate and to respond to learning objectives, class discussions, etc. Wearing headphones or playing with your cell phone in class is NOT being responsive to a learning environment.

• BE REAL! Treat one another with respect. This course covers sensitive topics that you will need to be real (mature) about when discussing these issues. It is expected you will be respectful to one another’s viewpoints and experiences.

G. Tardy Policy: (6 week periods)

1st Tardy- Warning

2nd Tardy- After School Detention

Detention for each additional tardy thereafter

H. Make Up/Absent Policy:

1. Everyday missed, you will have one day to make up work.

2. Check remind text or in with a friend for due dates and missing assignments. All materials and instructions can be found in the AP Psych Crate. Appropriate times to discuss missing work/grades is before or after class (NOT DURING CLASS). I am also available during Ac Lab. If you know you are going to be absent let me know ahead of time so you don’t feel overwhelmed.

3. Limit your FIELD TRIPS when missing this class! You are expected to turn in work as if you were in attendance on those days. You will be expected to turn in the work you missed the next class. You will not be considered “absent” you will be considered in school. You will receive a field trip contract to further explain expectations.

4. MAKE UP TESTS: There will be a designated date to make up each unit’s test. There will be an alternative test form for makeup tests. Your binder will be due on this date. If you fail to turn in your binder or make up the test on the designated date you will be charged late points.

I. Late Policy:

1. One day late: 25% off

2. Thereafter: 50% off

3. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER SIX WEEK PERIODS…NO EXECPTIONS!

4. Communication is KEY- EMAILING me LATE WORK ONLY holds your spot proving you have completed the work so no more late points are docked. In order for the work to be GRADED you STILL MUST TURN in a HARD COPY.

5. If you binder is not turned in the day of the test you will lose half credit for your binder points. After two days of missing a binder you will received ZERO BINDER POINTS.

J. Grading:

Your grade will be based on participation points, in-class assignments, group projects, research projects, exams, homework, presentations and a semester - long portfolio. Various extra credit opportunities will be announced throughout the year. Extra credit will NOT be offered with the sole purpose to obtain an “H” or to “save your grade at the end of the semester. I do not round up grades. H’s will only be given as a semester grade. H’s will not be given at the 6 week periods.

H: 100 to 97.0 A 96.9 -90.0 B: 89.9-80.0 C: 79.9-70.0 D: 69.9-60.0

K: TEST CORRECTIONS: Tests can be corrected within a two week time frame of taking the test. Corrections can only be completed on your own time (Ac Lab, after school, etc). You will receive a 1/3 of a point back for each question corrected. You may use your notes and book to help in the correction process. This is well worth your time for points and clarification on missed information. There will be NO exceptions at the end of the year for test corrections for extra points after the 2 week time limit!!

K. Citizenship Grade:

“O”- participates in class, helps others, respectful, responsible for their learning, is prepared for class, shows up on time to class, good attendance, actively engaged in class all of the time

“S”- student does what is expected of them most of the time an “S” is standard, actively engaged most of the time

“U”- does not show up to class on time, rarely prepared for class, detentions, irresponsible for their learning, needs to show improvement on treating others with respect, disruptive to the learning environment, rarely engaged in class.

L. WARNING!

Please, remember just because you are a student of Psychology it is important you remember you are NOT a Psychology expert. DO NOT start diagnosing yourself or your peers. That needs to be left for the experts ONLY! We all carry with us quirks and personality traits that at times might seem abnormal but in reality much of it is normal.

M: Academic Guidelines

This is an Advanced Placement course. It will require a significant amount of reading and writing. You will have AP style tests that include multiple choice items and Free Response essays.

Each unit will consist of completing Vocabulary, Theorists and Book Notes. You will be asked for additional assignments on occasion also. A Bridge or an Action will be due every 6 weeks. Binders will be collected on the day of the test.

Academic dishonesty, intentional or unintentional, will not be tolerated. Cheating, copying, and plagiarism will result in a zero and parental contact. It is also forbidden to “share/give” your work to a peer this includes vocab, theorists and notes!

If I cannot read your notes, you will not receive full credit.

N: Technology Guidelines:

• Cellphones, headphones/earbuds and other electronic devices should be STORED OUT OF SIGHT DURING CLASS! These items may only be used during break times or when designated by the teachers.

• CELL PHONES and other TECHNOLOGY will NOT BE ALLOWED on TEST DAYS (during or after a test)! I have a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY on these days and it is likely if you have a phone or other device out it will be taken and you will receive a zero for the tests!

• Electronic Devices will not be allowed to be charged in my room at any time.

• You may NOT take pictures of my PowerPoint slides! It is to your advantage to handwrite all of your class notes. If you feel like you don’t have time to get the notes down, please see me after class.

O: Unit Objectives, Essential Questions, Assignments & Vocabulary

See Unit Overviews for all of this information. These will be your guiding light through each unit!

P: How to Stay Organized!

See NUTS & BOLTS handout for information on Class binder, notebook, class demos, operational definitions, Forty Studies review format, journals and study skills. All of this information can be found on the GetPSYCHed website.

Q: AP EXAM:

You are expected to take the AP Exam in May. Sign up for this test will begin in March. If you do not take the AP EXAM you will be required to take a similar test for your final. The cost for the exam is $87. If you feel you will not be able to come up with the funds to take the test, please see me.

• AP Exam: 100 Multiple Questions (70 minutes), 2 FRQ’s (50 minutes total)

• Scores based on 1-5 scale

R: Overall Course Schedule

Unit Information Percent of AP Exam Test Score

Semester 1

*** Introduction to course Week One*****

Unit I. History and Approaches - (Weeks 2 and 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–4%

A. Logic, Philosophy, and History of Science

B. Approaches

1. Biological

2. Behavioral

3. Cognitive

4. Humanistic

5. Psychodynamic

6. Sociocultural

7. Evolutionary

Unit II. Research Methods and Ethics - (Weeks 4 and 5)......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8–10%

A. Experimental, Correlation, and Clinical Research

B. Statistics

1. Descriptive

2. Inferential

C. Ethics in Research

Unit III. Biological Bases of Behavior - (Week 6, 7 and 8) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–10%

A. Physiological Techniques (e.g., imaging, surgical)

B. Neuroanatomy

C. Functional Organization of Nervous System

D. Neural Transmission

E. Endocrine System

F. Genetics

G. Evolutionary Psychology

Unit IV. States of Consciousness - (Weeks 9 and 10) . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2–4%

A. Sleep

B. Hypnosis

C. Psychoactive Drug Effects

Unit V. Sensation and Perception - (Weeks 11 and 12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–8%

A. Thresholds and Signal Detection Theory

B. Sensory Mechanisms

C. Attention

D. Perceptual Processes

Unit VI. Learning - (Weeks 15, 16, and 17) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... . 7–9%

A. Classical Conditioning

B. Operant Conditioning

C. Cognitive Processes

D. Biological Factors

E. Social Learning

F. Learning Language** (moved from Cognition)

Unit VII. Memory and Cognition - (Weeks 18 ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–10%

A. Memory

B. Thinking

C. Problem Solving and Creativity

Semester 2---SCRAPBOOKS ARE DUE!

Unit Information % of AP Exam Test Scores

Unit VIII. Developmental Psychology - (Weeks 13 and 14) . . . . . . . . . . …... . 7–9%

A. Life-Span Approach

B. Research Methods (e.g., longitudinal, cross-sectional)

C. Heredity–Environment Issues

D. Developmental Theories

E. Dimensions of Development

1. Physical

2. Cognitive

3. Social

4. Moral

F. Sex Roles and Gender Roles

Unit IX. Personality - (Weeks 3 and 4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–7%

A. Personality Theories and Approaches

B. Assessment Techniques

C. Growth and Adjustment

Unit X. Testing and Individual Differences - (Weeks 5 and 6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–7%

A. Standardization and Norms

B. Reliability and Validity

C. Types of Tests

D. Ethics and Standards in Testing

E. Intelligence

Unit XI. Motivation and Emotion - (Weeks 7 and 8 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 6–8%

A. Biological Bases

B. Theories of Motivation

C. Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain

D. Social Motives

E. Theories of Emotion

F. Stress

Unit XII. Abnormal Behavior and Treatment - (Weeks 9, 10, and 11). . . . . . . see below

A. Definitions of Abnormality……………………………………………… (7-9%)

B. Theories of Psychopathology

C. Diagnosis of Psychopathology

D. Types of Disorders

1. Anxiety

2. Somatoform

3. Mood

4. Schizophrenic

5. Organic

6. Personality

7. Dissociative

E. Treatment Approaches …………………………………………………….(5-7%)

1. Psychodynamic

2. Humanistic

3. Behavioral

4. Cognitive

5. Biological

F. Modes of Therapy (i.e., individual, group)

G. Community and Preventive Approaches

Unit XIII. Social Psychology - (Weeks 12 and 13 ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8–10%

A. Group Dynamics

B. Attribution Processes

C. Interpersonal Perception

D. Conformity, Compliance, Obedience

E. Attitudes and Attitude Change

F. Organizational Behavior

G. Aggression/Antisocial Behavior

H. Cultural Influences

Unit XIV. AP Exam Review - (Week 14 and 15)

A. Review

B. Practice Test and Essay

My Book Number is: _______________________________ My PW to Online Book is _________________________

Additional Notes to Self:

|Unit(s) |Vocabulary |Theorists |Other Points |Overall Binder |

| |(15) |(10) | |(15) |

|Unit One: | | | | |

|Unit Two: | | | | |

|Unit Three: | | | | |

|Unit Four: | | | | |

|Unit Five: | | | | |

|Unit Six: | | | | |

|Unit Seven: | | | | |

|Psych Bridges and Actions for | | | | |

|Semester One | | | | |

|Semester One | | | | |

|Totals | | | | |

|Unit Eight: | | | | |

|Unit Nine: | | | | |

|Unit Ten: | | | | |

|Unit Eleven: | | | | |

|Unit Twelve: | | | | |

|Unit Thirteen: | | | | |

|Psych Bridge and Action for Semester| | | | |

|Two | | | | |

|Semester Totals: | | | | |

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*** First Semester Final - (Week 18)

Winter Break-Scrapbook!

Mark it on your CALENDARS!

*** Advanced Placement Test for Psychology

Thursday, May 9, 2019 at NOON! ***

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