AP Psychology
Chapter 10 and 11: Personality/Testing and Individual Differences
Objectives and Schedule
Ch. 10 Objectives:
In this section of the course, students explore major theories of how humans develop enduring patterns of behavior and
personal characteristics that influence how others relate to them. The unit also addresses research methods used to
assess personality. AP students in psychology should be able to do the following:
 Compare and contrast the major theories and approaches to explaining personality: psychoanalytic, humanist,
cognitive, trait, social learning, and behavioral.
 Describe and compare research methods (e.g., case studies and surveys) that psychologists use to investigate
personality.
 Identify frequently used assessment strategies (e.g., the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory [MMPI],
the Thematic Apperception Test [TAT]), and evaluate relative test quality based on reliability and validity of the
instruments.
 Speculate how cultural context can facilitate or constrain personality development, especially as it relates to
self-concept (e.g., collectivistic versus individualistic cultures).
 Identify key contributors to personality theory (e.g., Alfred Adler, Albert Bandura, Paul Costa and Robert
McCrae, Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers).
Ch. 11 Objectives:
An understanding of intelligence and assessment of individual differences is highlighted in this portion of the course.
Students must understand issues related to test construction and fair use. AP students in psychology should be able to
do the following:
 Define intelligence and list characteristics of how psychologists measure intelligence:
o Abstract versus verbal measures;
o Speed of processing.
 Discuss how culture influences the definition of intelligence.
 Compare and contrast historic and contemporary theories of intelligence (e.g., Charles Spearman, Howard
Gardner, Robert Sternberg).
 Explain how psychologists design tests, including standardization strategies and other techniques to establish
reliability and validity.
 Interpret the meaning of scores in terms of the normal curve.
 Describe relevant labels related to intelligence testing (e.g., gifted, cognitively disabled).
 Debate the appropriate testing practices, particularly in relation to culture-fair test uses.
 Identify key contributors in intelligence research and testing (e.g., Alfred Binet, Francis Galton, Howard Gardner,
Charles Spearman, Robert Sternberg, Louis Terman, David Wechsler).
Wednesday, March 4th, 2015: (Late Arrival)
1. PPT Intro: Personality
2. PPT Notes: Psychodynamic Theories
o Unconscious, eros, libido, thanatos
o Id, Ego, Superego
Thursday, March 5th, 2015:
1. PPT Notes: Defense Mechanisms
2. DM practice sheet and video clips
Friday, March 6th, 2015:
1. Psychosexual Handout
2. PPT: Projective Tests and Neo-Freudians
3. Assignment: Reading Quiz (pgs. 438-443) – Tuesday
Monday, March 9th, 2015:
1. PPT Notes: Humanistic, Social-Cognitive, Trait Theories
2. Assignment: Reading Quiz (pgs. 438-443) - tomorrow
Tuesday, March 10th, 2015:
1. Reading Quiz (pgs. 438-443)
2. PPT Notes: Standardization and Types of Tests
3. PPT Notes: Validity and Reliability
a. Practice sheet
4. Assignment: Reading Quiz (469-476) – Thursday
Wednesday, March 11th, 2015:
1. PPT Notes: How is intelligence measured?
2. WAIS and Stanford Binet handouts
3. PPT Notes: Exceptional Children
4. Assignment: Reading Quiz (469-476) – tomorrow
Thursday, March 12th, 2015:
1. PPT Notes: Psychometrics and Sternberg
2. Handout and MI Inventories – Gardner
3. RQ (pgs. 469-476)
4. Article: Same and Different
Friday, March 13th, 2015:
1. Review for Ch. 10/11 Quiz
2. In-class practice FRQ
Monday, March 16th, 2015:
1. Ch. 10/11 Concept Lists due
2. Ch. 10/11 Quiz
3. Go over practice FRQ
4. Announcement: Practice AP Exam – Wednesday/Thursday
Tuesday, March 17th, 2015:
1. Article and discuss: The Grisly Lottery of Death Row IQs
2. Return and discuss Ch. 10/11 Quiz
3. Announcement: Practice AP Exam – tomorrow/Thursday
Wednesday, March 18th, 2015: (Absent – AP Bio Field Trip)
1. Practice AP Exam
Thursday, March 19th, 2015:
1. Practice AP Exam
Friday, March 20th, 2015:
1. Video: The Real Rain Man