A.P. PSYCHOLOGY
SUMMER ASSIGNMENT
2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR
IMMEDIATELY READ ALL DIRECTIONS!
You may want to email me before end of
school year. maowens@aacps.org
IF YOU SEND ME AN EMAIL I WILL SEND YOU AN ELECTRONIC
COPY OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND YOU CAN SIMPLY CLICK ON
THE LINKS AND TYPE YOUR ANSWERS INTO THE DOCUMENT.
NOTE!! I check my work email rather infrequently over
the summer. If you want an electronic version, send
me an email ASAP so I can get you one before the
school year ends. Otherwise, to the North County
High website for a copy of the assignment, or you can
stop by the school.
Also, if you know another student taking AP Psychology, you can get
an electronic copy from them, just be sure NOT TO SHARE
ANSWERS!!
Enjoy your
summer!!
GENERAL DIRECTIONS:
 Complete the two assignments enclosed and have them ready to turn
in on the first day of class in the fall.
 Although you do not need to write in complete sentences, all
responses should be very thorough, accurate, and written with
proper spelling, etc.
 DO NOT COPY AND PASTE INFORMATION FROM THE
INTERNET. ALL ANSWERS SHOULD BE PUT IN YOUR OWN
WORDS!!!
*Any student found guilty of doing this will fail the assignment and be referred
to administration for plagiarism.
GRADING POLICY/RUBRIC
PART 1: SCAVENGER HUNT – (35 POINTS):
EACH QUESTION IS WORTH ONE (1) POINT, HOWEVER PLEASE
NOTE THAT MANY HAVE MORE THAN ONE QUESTION TO
ANSWER. (YOU WILL ONLY RECEIVE ½ CREDIT IF YOU DON’T
ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION!)
PART 2: (15 POINTS): “Getting to Know You” ESSAY.
Follow directions carefully regarding format and assigned topics
to cover.
TOTAL __________ out of 50 possible points
ASSIGNMENT WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS AN ASSESSMENT GRADE
AP Psychology Summer Assignments
Welcome to Advanced Placement Psychology at North County School! During the 2015-16 school-year
we will be exploring the world of psychology, improving our research/writing skills and preparing for
the AP Examination in the spring. Successful completion of this course will yield a greater
understanding of psychology, yourself, and the world around you. It is also my goal to prepare you for
the content, format, a rigor of a college level course and examination. In preparation, you will need to
complete the following assignments over the summer. This will introduce you to the content and format
of the course.
All assignments will be due on the first day of school.
For an electronic version of this assignment, go to the North County High School Website, and look
under the AP course assignment tabs.
Assignment 1: Summer Scavenger Hunt: Getting to Know Psychology:
Directions: Complete the following questions as an introduction psychology. Use the
suggested websites to answer the questions. Some of the questions will ask you to attach
an article or a picture. When doing this, label each and attach in the order they are asked
for in the scavenger hunt.
A. Biological Basis of Behavior
This emphasizes the relationship between biology and behavior. Here we will
examine how the nervous system, endocrine system, and the brain affect behavior
and decision making.
Go here:
http://www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/BIOBK/BioBookNERV.html
1-
What are neurons? How do they work?
2-
What is the function of the peripheral nervous system?
3-
What is the function of the central nervous system?
Go here:
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/anatomy_of_the_endocrine_system/article_em.htm#Endocrine%2
0System%20Introduction
4-
What are some things regulated by the endocrine system?
5-
What 3 important endocrine system glands are located in the brain?
6-
Describe the adrenal glands, what functions do they serve?
Go here:
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=fmribrain
7-
What does MRI stand for? What are MRI’s of the brain used for?
Go here:
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=pet
8-
What does PET stand for? What functions can a PET scan monitor?
9-
Search the internet for a diagram of “Brain Structures and their functions”.
Print out the diagram and attach it to you scavenger hunt.
On the back of the diagram, list and explain 3 parts of the brain and their functions.
Go here: http://www.intelliscript.net/test_area/questionnaire/questionnaire.cgi
10-
Take the Right Brain vs. Left Brain test. Are you right brained or left brained? Do you agree
with the description of your dominant side?
**IF THIS SITE DOES NOT WORK, THERE ARE LOTS OF THESE TYPES OF TESTS ON LINE…
FIND ONE YOU LIKE AND TRY IT! 
B. Sensation and Perception
This subfield involves processing the information gathered by the nervous system and the brain into
meaningful experiences and feelings.
Go Here: http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/ or to
TRY OUT SOME OF THE ILLUSIONS!!!!
http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/index.html
13- Describe what causes the Motion Aftereffect.
C. States of Consciousness
The focus in this field is on states of mind and how they are altered through
experiences, sleep, and biological functions.
**FOR THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS YOU WILL HAVE TO CONDUCT Google SEARCHES OR
USE OTHER SOURCES TO FIND THE NECESSARY INFORMATION…
14- What is structuralism? What did this later became known as?
15- What was the focus of William James’ studies of consciousness?
16- What are the levels of consciousness as described by Sigmund Freud?
17- Describe the views of Carl Jung.
18- What is REM sleep?
19- Describe mediation and its purposes.
20- How can drugs impact consciousness?
21- Identify 3 types of drugs and explain their effects on consciousness
D. Learning
There are several types of learning which psychologists focus on. Research and
practice can center on the way the brain retains information as well as how learning
can impact and change behavior.
Work your way through the reading and activities (DO NOT WRITE THE
WRITTEN RESPONSES AND PRESS “SUBMIT” – I WILL NOT RECEIVE
THESE RESPONSES!!!!!)
Go Here:
http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/gray/content/psychsim5/Classical%20Conditioning/Classi
calConditioning.htm
Or try….
http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/medicine/pavlov/readmore.html
22-
Describe the Pavlov’s Dog experiment. What was he trying to investigate?
 Explain how the process of “classical conditioning” works.
 What is the difference between generalization and discrimination?
 What is the difference between extinction and spontaneous recovery?
23-
Why were Pavlov’s experiments so important to psychology?
Go here:
http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/gray/content/psychsim5/Operant%20Conditioning/Psych
Sim_Shell.html
http://psychology.about.com/od/behavioralpsychology/a/introopcond.htm
24-
What is ‘operant conditioning’?
****Be sure to include an explanation of how “reward” and “punishment are used as
“positive” and “negative” influences when shaping behavior using operant
conditioning.
25-
Who is B.F. Skinner, and what is the “Skinner Box”?
26- Take
this quiz on learning styles http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligenceslearning-styles-quiz
Analyze your results. Were you surprised by the learning styles in which you had the
highest percentages? Explain. What could be the use of a test like this?
E. Cognition
Information and research here will focus on memory,
thinking, language and intelligence.
Sources:
http://www.cartoonistgroup.com/subject/The-Psychology-Comics-andCartoons.php
https://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/s/short_term_memory.asp
YOU MAY NEED TO SEARCH AROUND AT
SEVERAL SITES!!!
27Search the internet for 2 cartoons like the one shown that discuss
memory. Attach the cartoons to your scavenger hunt. Try to explain how this
might relate to memory and psychology.
Read this article: http://www.davidmyers.org/Brix?pageID=65
28. Discuss one of your own fears that might seem illogical to others.
What are the influences on our intuitions about risk?
F.
Motivation and Emotion
Here psychologists focus on the influences of motivations, and the causes and
impacts of human emotions.
Go Here: http://allpsych.com/psychology101/emotion.html
29. What are the parts of the James-Lange theory?
30. How does the Cannon-Bard theory look different?
31. Which of the theories do you feel is most accurate? Explain your answer.
G.
Developmental Psychology
Focus on changes in behavior, emotion, cognition and perception throughout the
life span.
32. As an introduction to some of the current issues of developmental psychology, read the following
article: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2011/08/what-facebook-does-kids-brains/40973/
Discuss the extent to which you agree with the author’s point of view. Overall, is
Facebook more helpful or harmful to kids? Explain.
H. Personality
Focus on our underlying patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
Go Here: http://www.psych.uncc.edu/pagoolka/typea-b-intro.html
Take the Type A/B Personality Test
33. Describe your results. Do you think they are accurate?
34. What could be some problems with this type of test?
I.
Abnormal Psychology and Treatment of Psychological
Disorders:
Focus of the causes and definition of mental disorders as well as appropriate ways
to treat these conditions.
Go here: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/thumbnails/0,,20393228,00.html
35. Choose 3 of the “10 Things to Say (and 10 Not to Say) to Someone with
Depression” and explain why you think sometimes people give the wrong
advise in this area. How can we help educate people on how to help friends and
family that might be suffering from depression?
#1_____________________________
#2_____________________________
#3_____________________________
ASSIGNMENT #2 – DESCRIPTION ON NEXT PAGE!!
Assignment 2: Getting to know YOU
Directions:
Consider the following question:
“There is much debate and research in the field of psychology about whether
‘Nature’ (biochemistry, genes, and physical traits) or ‘Nurture’ (family,
environment, culture, experiences, training, etc.) has the most influence on
our behavior, thought processes, and personality. Discuss the ways you think
nature and nurture have influenced both your everyday thoughts and
behaviors as well as your life goals and ambitions”
(It may be helpful to read up on the ‘nature vs. nurture’ debate before
writing your essay so you can make use of psychological terminology in
your essay!!)
Your response should be 2-3 pages in length, typed and double-spaced using
12 pt. Times New Roman font and 1” margins. Use the following format for
the heading:
Your Name
Summer Essay
AP Psychology
Day, Month 2015
Title