Pasco School District / Overview



Course Description:AP Psychology provides an overview of current psychological research methods and theories. The equivalent of a 100-level college survey course, AP Psychology prepares students for the AP Exam and for further studies in psychology and life sciences. Students will explore the therapies used by professional counselors and clinical psychologist and examine the reasons for normal human reactions: how people learn and think, the process of human development and human aggression, altruism, intimacy, and self-reflection. Students will study core psychological concepts, such as the brain and sense functions, and learn to gauge human reactions, gather information, and form meaningful synthesis. All of these concepts are part of the 14 units that are covered throughout the year.To help prepare students for the AP exams, each unit exam is designed to replicate the AP Psychology exam. Students are required to answer 60 multiple choice questions within a 50 minute period, while one Free Response question is assigned every other unit. Students also participate in a variety of experiments. These range from quick in-class exercises to replications of famous experiments, as well as self-designed experiments.Course Objectives: Students will:Examine the study of human behavior and mental processesStudy the major topics of study in the field of psychologyLearn and use the vocabulary and terms of psychologyParticipate in psychological experiments that complement the core topics of studyLearn the skills of psychological research, statistics, and methodsBe prepared for the AP Psychology exam in MayTexts:Myers, David G. Psychology for AP. 9th. New York: Worth Publishers/BFW, 2011. Print.Zimbardo, Philip G., Robert L. Johnson, Weber L. Ann, and Craig W. Gruber. Psychology. 1st. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2010. Print.Weseley, Allyson J., and Robert McEntarffer. Barron's AP Psychology. 4th ed. Hauppauge: Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 2010. Print.Various resources in the form of video clips and magazine and journal articles.Recommended Supplies:SupplyWhy you need it3-ring binderAP Notes NotebookLoose leaf college-ruled paperFor notebookColored pencils and sharpenerDiagramming or projectsRulerDiagramming and Cornell NotesGlue SticksProjects3X5 notecardsVocabulary flash cardsMultiple highlightersHelp on FRQs and readingClass Procedures and Expectations:We have so much to learn before the AP Exam in May! It’s very important that we do not waste and ounce of time. In order to be successful, you need to do the following:Arrive to class organized, prepared, and on timeRead the required pages before class the next day (yes, you will have reading every night!)Take Cornell Notes on your readingBe an active and positive participant in classComplete your best work; take pride in it.Grading:DescriptionPercentage of GradeSummer Assignment5%Tests and Major Projects65%Classwork/Notes30%Units and Objectives:UnitObjectives (3 examples for each unit)Unit 1: History and Approaches-Trace the historical and philosophical development of psychology as a science-Identify famous psychologists and describe their contributions to the discipline-Explore different career options for people who earn degrees in psychologyUnit 2: Research Methods-Identify the elements of an experiment-Apply elements of an experiment to different situations-Evaluate the importance of ethics in researchUnit 3: Biological Bases of Behavior-Explain the process of neural communication-Explain how neurotransmitters work-Analyze the difference between the neural and hormonal systemsUnit 4: Sensation and Perception-Identify the major components of the visual and auditory systems and the functions of each-Identify the two body senses and contrast one with the other-Identify the views of the Gestalt psychologists related to perceptual phenomenaUnit 5: Consciousness-Describe the different stages of sleep-Analyze the different theories of dreaming-Analyze the consequences of addiction, tolerance, and withdrawlUnit 6: Learning-Describe the elements of classical conditioning-Describe the elements of operant conditioning-Apply elements of classical and operant conditioning to different situationsUnit 7: Cognition-Analyze how humans encode, store and retrieve information in memory-Differentiate between algorithms and heuristics-Analyze how fixation, confirmation bias, overconfidence, framing, and belief perseverance influence the ability to solve problemsUnit 8: Motivation and Emotion-Discuss the similarities of instinct and drive theories-Determine how psychologists measure achievement motivation-Identify the physiological changes that occur when people experience different emotionsUnit 9: Developmental Psychology-Describe the physical and cognitive development of infants and children-Analyze how the reasoning ability of adolescents differs from that of children-Describe and analyze Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoningUnit 10: Personality-Explain how different perspectives—psychodynamic, humanistic, trait, and social-cultural—approach the study of personality-Evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of each personality theory-Determine how psychologists assess personality according to the various perspectivesUnit 11: Individual Differences-Compare and contrast Gardner’s and Sternberg’s theories of intelligence-Evaluate Alfred Binet’s contribution to intelligence testing-Explain the difference between reliability and validityUnit 12: Abnormal Psychology-Identify the criteria psychologists use to diagnose psychological disorders-Describe the characteristics of mood, anxiety, somatoform, dissociative, and personality disorders.-Describe the characteristics of brain-based disorders.Unit 13: Treatment of Psychological Disorders-Describe the different treatment options for the various types of psychological disordersUnit 14: Social Psychology-How do people explain (attribute) the behavior of others?- -Under what conditions do people obey, conform, make friends, find love, and help others?-How do attitudes and actions influence individual and group behavior?Course Schedule:Unit Title and AP Exam %DayDateClass Activities and Readings**The readings need to be completed BEFORE you come to class that dayW8/29Welcome and Course IntroductionTh8/30Practice Test: What am I getting myself into?Unit 1: History and Approaches2-4%F8/31Historical Approaches Review Summer AssignmentTu9/4Historical Approaches: The Outrageous CelebrityUnit 3: Biological Bases of Behavior8-10%W9/5Chapters 2 & 3Reading: 48-54: Neural CommunicationIntroduce Unit Project: Superheroes, Villains, Sidekicks and the BrainTh9/6Reading: 55-58 The Nervous SystemF9/7Reading: 58-60 The Endocrine SystemM9/10Reading: 60-68 Brain: the Tools of Discovery and Older Brain StructuresTu9/11Reading: 68-75 The Cerebral CortexW9/12Reading: 75-81 Divided BrainQuick Vocabulary CheckTh9/13Reading: 85-91 ConsciousnessF9/14Reading: 133-143 Behavior GeneticsM9/17Reading: 143-149 Evolutionary PsychologyTu9/18Unit Project DUE: Superheroes, Villains, Sidekicks and the BrainReading: 166-169 Nature and NurtureW9/19Cornell Notes DueUnit TestUnit 4: Sensation and Perception6-8%Th9/20Test AutopsyChapter 6Reading: 229-236 Sensing the World: Basic PrinciplesF9/21GET CAUGHT UP ON ALL YOUR READING!Sensing the World: Basic PrinciplesM9/24Sensing the World: Basic PrinciplesTu9/25Reading: 236-245 VisionW9/26Reading: 245-252 HearingTh9/27Reading: 252-263 Other SensesArticle: 5-year-old unable to feel painQuick Vocabulary CheckF9/28Reading: 263-272 Perceptual OrganizationM10/1Reading: 272-281 Perceptual InterpretationTu10/2Reading: 282-285 Is there Extrasensory Perception (ESP)?W10/3How to Write an FRQTh10/4Cornell Notes DueUnit TestUnit 2: Research Methods8-10%F10/5Test AutopsyChapter 1Reading: 15-22 The need for psychological scienceIntroduce Unit Project: Grant ApplicationM10/8Reading: 22-25 DescriptionTu10/9Reading: 25-30 CorrelationW10/10Reading: 30-33 ExperimentationTh10/11Reading: 33-42 Statistical ReasoningQuick Vocabulary CheckF10/12Reading: 42-46 Frequently Asked QuestionsStatistical Reasoning Continued…M10/15Statistical ReasoningTu10/16Unit Project DUE: Grant ApplicationMultiple Choice Testing StrategiesW10/17Cornell Notes DueUnit TestUnit 6: Learning7-9%Th10/18Test AutopsyChapter 7Introduce Unit Project: Conditioning FunReading: 291-294 How do we learn?F10/19Reading: 294-303 Classical ConditioningM10/22Classical ConditioningTu10/23Reading: 304-317 Operant ConditioningW10/24Operant ConditioningTh10/25Operant ConditioningQuick Vocabulary CheckF10/26Reading: 317-323 Observational LearningM10/29Observational LearningTu10/30Practice FRQW10/31Unit Project DUE: Conditioning FunReviewTh11/1Cornell Notes DueUnit TestUnit 7: Cognition8-10%F11/2End of 1st QuarterTest AutopsyChapters 8 & 9Introduce Chapter Project: Memory EssayReading: 327-330 The Phenomenon of MemoryM11/5Reading: 330-337 EncodingTu11/6Reading: 337-345 StorageW11/7Reading: 345-349 RetrievalQuick Vocabulary CheckTh11/8Reading: 349-356 ForgettingF11/9Reading: 356-364 Memory ConstructionNO SCHOOL: VETERAN’S DAY: November 12Tu11/13Reading: 364-365 Improving MemoryReviewW11/14Chapter Project DUE: Memory EssayCornell Notes DueChapter 8 TestTh11/15Test AutopsyIntroduce Chapter Project: Application of Application ProcessReading: 369-373 Thinking: Concepts and solving problemsF11/16Reading: 373-382 Making decisions and forming judgmentsM11/19Reading: 383-391 Language structure and developmentQuick Vocabulary CheckTu11/20Reading: 391-401 Thinking and LanguageW11/21EARLY RELEASE Listening ExerciseNO SCHOOL: THANKSGIVING BREAK: November 22-23Memory Practice AssignmentM11/26Due: Memory PracticeCatch up dayTu11/27Chapter Project DUE: Application of Application ProcessReviewW11/28Cornell Notes DueChapter 9 TestUnit 11:Individual Differences5-7%Th11/29Test AutopsyChapter 10 (Intelligence)Introduce Unit Project: Intelligence War DebateReading: 405-415 What is Intelligence?F11/30IntelligenceM12/3Reading: 415-419 Assessing IntelligenceTu12/4Reading: 419-422 The Mathematics of IntelligenceW12/5Mathematics of IntelligenceTh12/6Reading: 422-427 The Dynamics of IntelligenceQuick Vocabulary CheckF12/7Reading: 427-439 Genetics and Environmental Influences on IntelligenceM12/10Genetics and Environmental Influences on IntelligenceTu12/11Unit Project Debate in class: Papers DUEW12/12EARLY RELEASEGet caught upTh12/13ReviewF12/14Cornell Notes DueUnit TestUnit 10:Personality5-7%M12/17Test AutopsyChapter 13Reading: 554-564 The Psychoanalytic PerspectiveTu12/18Reading: 564-567 The Humanistic PerspectiveW12/19Reading: 567-576 The Trait PerspectiveTh12/20The Trait PerspectiveF12/21Personality Tests!WINTER BREAK: December 24, 2012 – January 4, 2013Break Assignment: States of Consciousness and Dream JournalRead Chapter 5M1/7DUE: Dream Journal and Cornell Notes on Chapter 5Recap of Psychoanalytic, Humanistic, and Train PerspectivesQuick Vocabulary CheckTu1/8Reading: 576-584 The Social-Cognitive PerspectiveW1/9Social-Cognitive PerspectiveTh1/10Reading: 584-589 Exploring the Self/Culture and SelfF1/11ReviewM1/14Cornell Notes DueUnit TestUnit 9:Developmental Psychology7-9%Tu1/15Test AutopsyChapter 5Reading: 173-177 Prenatal Development and the NewbornW1/16Reading: 177-196 Infancy and ChildhoodTh1/17Reading: 159-166 Gender DevelopmentF1/18Reading: 149-153 Parents and PeersQuick Vocabulary CheckNO SCHOOL: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR DAY – January 21Tu1/22Reading: 196-206 AdolescenceFINALS W1/23Reading: 206-223 AdulthoodFINALSTh1/24Reading: 223-225 Reflections on Two Major Developmental IssuesFINALSF1/25End of 1st SemesterCornell Notes DueUnit TestSEMESTER BREAK (1ST SNOW DAY, IF NECESSARY): January 28Unit 14:Social Psychology8-10%Tu1/29Test AutopsyChapter 16Introduce Unit Project: Breaking Social NormsReading: 673-680 Social ThinkingW1/30Social ThinkingTh1/31Reading: 680-686 Conformity and ObedienceF2/1Reading: 687-691 Group Influence, Cultural Influence, and the Power of IndividualsM2/4Reading: 691-697 PrejudiceTu2/5PrejudiceW2/6Reading: 698-705 AggressionQuick Vocabulary CheckTh2/7AggressionF2/8Reading: 705-712 AttractionM2/11AttractionTu2/12Reading: 712- 714 AltruismW2/13EARLY RELEASEAltruismTh2/14Reading: 714-719 Conflict and PeacemakingF2/15Unit Project DUE: Breaking Social NormsReviewNO SCHOOL: PRESIDENTS’ DAY- February 18Tu2/19Cornell Notes DueUnit TestUnit 8:Motivation and Emotion6-8%W2/20Test AutopsyChapters 11 & 12Introduce Unit Project: What Motivates You?Reading: 444-447 Motivational ConceptsTh2/21F2/22Reading: 447-464Hunger, Obesity and Weight ControlM2/25Hunger, Obesity and Weight ControlTu2/26Reading: 465-471 Sexual MotivationQuick Vocabulary CheckW2/27Reading: 471-478 Sexual OrientationTh2/28Reading: 478-481 The Need to BelongF3/1Reading: 498-507 Theories of Emotion/ Embodied EmotionM3/4Reading: 507-514 Expressed EmotionTu3/5Expressed EmotionW3/6EARLY RELEASEReading: 514-526 Experienced EmotionTh3/7Experienced EmotionQuick Vocabulary CheckTRIMESTER BREAK (2ND SNOW DAY, IF NECESSARY): March 8M3/11Reading: 527-549 Stress and HealthTu3/12Stress and HealthW3/13Unit Project DUE: What Motivates You?ReviewTh3/14Cornell Notes DUEUnit TestUnit 12:Abnormal Psychology7-9%F3/15Test AutopsyChapter 14Introduce Unit Project: Illness, Diagnosis, and Treatment: Case Studies CompetitionReading: 594-600 Perspectives on Psychological DisordersM3/18Reading: 601-608 Anxiety DisordersTu3/19Anxiety DisordersW3/20Reading: 608-611 Somatoform and Dissociative DisordersTh3/21Somatoform and Dissociative DisordersQuick Vocabulary CheckF3/22Reading: 611-621 Mood Disorders and SuicideM3/25Mood Disorders and SuicideTu3/26Reading: 621-630 Schizophrenia and Personality DisordersW3/27Schizophrenia and Personality DisordersUnit 13:Treatment of Psychological Disorders5-7%Th3/28Chapter 15Reading: 631-633 Rates of Psychological TherapiesF3/29Reading: 638-650 The Psychological TherapiesSPRING BREAK: APRIL 1-5Get caught up on all reading and vocabulary!M4/8Reading: 650-660 Evaluating PsychotherapiesTu4/9Evaluating PsychotherapiesQuick Vocabulary CheckW4/10Reading: 660-668 The Biomedical TherapiesTh4/11The Biomedical TherapiesF4/12End of 3rd QuarterReading: 668-669 Preventing Psychological DisordersM4/15Unit Project DUE: Illness, Diagnosis, and Treatment: Case Studies CompetitionCompetition in class!Tu4/16ReviewW4/17Cornell Notes DueUnits TestReview of All UnitsTh4/18Test AutopsyStart Review Sessions in ClassUnit 1: History and Major Schools of ThoughtF4/19Unit 2: Research MethodsM4/22Unit 3: Biological Bases of BehaviorTu4/23Unit 4: Sensation and PerceptionW4/24Unit 5: States of ConsciousnessTh4/25Unit 6: LearningF4/26Unit 7: CognitionM4/29Unit 8: Motivation and EmotionTu4/30Unit 9: Developmental PsychologyW5/1Unit 10: Personality and Unit 11: Testing and Individual DifferencesTh5/2Unit 12: Abnormal Psychology and Unit 13: Treatment of Psychological DisordersF5/3Unit 14: Social PsychologyAP EXAM!!!M5/6AP PSYCHOLOGY EXAM: 12:00pmAbnormal Psychology in the Media ProjectTuesday, May 7 – Monday, May 24Tu-W5/28-5/29Final Exam (Presentations) for SeniorsMentally Fractured Fairy Tales ProjectThursday, May 30- Tuesday, June 4F6/7Final Exam (Presentation) for Non-Seniors ................
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