Advanced Placement Psychology
Lake Zurich High School 2014-2015
Ms. Collins (andrea.collins@lz95.org) E215
AP Psychology is designed to introduce you to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior
and mental processes of human beings and other animals. You will be exposed to the psychological
facts, principles and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology.
You will learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. You
will also prepare to take the AP Psychology exam administered in the spring.
Materials
1. Textbook: Morris, C. & Maisto, A (2013). Understanding Psychology, 10th Edition
Indianapolis: Pearson.
2. Writing materials, folder, paper/notebook
3. Notecards
Grading System
Your grade will be weighted as follows:
Tests – 60%
Quizzes & Assignments – 40%
Q1(3) – 40%
Q2(4) – 40%
Final – 20%
Homework Policy
Late work will not be accepted. You will receive a pass that allows you to turn in homework late up
to four times during the year.
Teacher Availability
Email: andrea.collins@lz95.org
Phone: (847)540-4691
Voicemail: (847)540-4729
Office: D227
**The best way to ensure that you get the
help/assistance you need is to make an
appointment with me for before or after
school**
The AP Test
The AP Psychology test is scheduled for May 4th, 2015. It consists of a 100 question multiple
choice test and a two question short answer section. From this test you will receive a score from 5 1. Depending on what college you attend and your exam score, you may be eligible for college
credit. Extensive time will be spent during the year to prepare you for the exam. Assignments,
projects, and tests are tailored to help you succeed on the AP exam.
Assignments
A variety of assignments will be used to assess your knowledge of psychology in this course.
Assignments may include (but are not limited to): flashcards, article connections, movie responses,
study summaries, personal reflection journals, and practice worksheets. Projects will be assigned at
various points throughout the year
Course Policies, Procedures, and Tips for Success
1. Read! Complete an in-depth reading of the required reading assignments. Take notes or create an
outline as you read. Quizzes will rely heavily on textbook material and will include information not
discussed in class.
2. Take notes (and keep them). Your notes will help you understand the information presented in class. Notes
are not simply a regurgitated form of the text. They are specially designed to help you learn the material in
the course. Notes will contain information not found in your textbook.
3. Practice! You will be required to create flashcards for each unit. Use them, and start making them
early. They will help you on unit exams as well as prepare you for the AP exam.
4. Expect a quiz once a week – either announced or unannounced.
5. Some lectures will be presented online to be watched for homework. These are no less important than
lectures presented in class, and the information found in these will not be presented again in class. You may
be held accountable for the information presented in online lectures through quizzes and/or google forms.
6. Visit the class website at http://www.lz95.org/classes/appsychology_acollins/. Here you will find due dates
for assignments, online lectures, helpful links, and review materials. The website will be especially helpful
when it comes to reviewing for unit exams and the AP test. As we transition to the use of Canvas, this will
take the place of the class website.
7. Ask questions (especially about the reading) and seek out additional help if needed.
8. Participate! It will help you learn the material as well as create a fun, engaging learning environment.
9. Be responsible for your learning when you are absent. When you return to class, check the absent folder for
any handouts that you missed when you were gone. This alone will not ensure that you are caught up. Be
sure to check with me or a classmate to find out what you missed. Any missed notes or classwork will need
to be completed in your free time. If you are absent on the day of a test or the day an assignment is due, be
prepared to turn the assignment in/take the test when you return. It is your responsibility to make
arrangements with me for make-up exams. Make-up tests not completed within two weeks of your return to
school will be given a zero.
10. Inform me when you have a prearranged absence. If you know you will be gone, I will provide you with
the necessary materials to work on during your absence.
11. You will be provided with a Unit Guide for every unit that outlines the unit’s readings, assignments, and
test/quiz dates. You are responsible for keeping up with the assignments on the Unit Guide, even in the
event of an absence.
12. You will be given the opportunity to complete test corrections (on multiple choice questions) within one
week of taking a unit test. A test correction calendar and sign-up sheet will be provided in class.
Corrections can be done before or after school or during Ms. Collins’ off periods. Corrections can not be
completed in class or while Ms. Collins is teaching another class.
13. The use of cell phones, I-pods, and other electronic devices will not be permitted during class time.
All phones should be kept in your bag during class. This policy will be strictly enforced.
Course Outline
Unit 1: Research, History, and Perspectives
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 1
Time: Approximately 15 days
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Logic, Philosophy, and History of Psychology
Approaches/Perspectives of Psychology
Research Methods
Statistics
Ethics in Research
Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 2
Time: Approximately 14 days
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Neuron
Brain
Nervous System
Endocrine System
Genetics
Evolutionary Psychology
Unit 3: Sensation and Perception
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 3
Time: Approximately 12 days
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Thresholds and Signal Detection Theory
Vision
Hearing
Other Senses
Attention
Perceptual Processes
Unit 4: States of Consciousness
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter4
Time: Approximately 5 days
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Sleep
Dreaming
Hypnosis
Psychoactive Drugs
Unit 5: Learning
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 5
Time: Approximately 12 days
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Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Cognitive Processes
Biological Factors
Social Learning
Unit 6: Cognition
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 6, Chapter 7 pages 217-233
Time: Approximately 14 days
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Memory
Language
Thinking
Problem Solving and Creativity
Unit 7: Motivation and Emotion
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 8 and Chapter 11
Time: Approximately 11 days
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Biological Bases
Theories of Motivation
Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain
Social Motives
Theories of Emotion
Stress
Unit 8: Developmental Psychology
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 9
Time: Approximately 12 days
 Cognitive, Social, Moral, and Physical Development through:
o Infancy
o Childhood
o Adolescence
 Aging
 Sex and gender roles
Unit 9: Personality
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 10
Time: Approximately 10 days
 Theories and Approaches
 Assessment Techniques
 Growth and Adjustment
Unit 10: Testing and Individual Differences
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 7 pages 234-251
Time: Approximately 10 days
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Standardization and Norms
Reliability and Validity
Types of Tests
Ethics and Standards in Testing
Intelligence
Unit 11: Abnormal Psychology
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 12
Time: Approximately 12 days
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Definitions of Abnormality
Theories of Psychopathology
Diagnosis of Psychopathology
Types of Disorders
Unit 12: Treatment of Psychological Disorders
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 13
Time: Approximately 9 days
 Treatment Approaches
 Modes of Therapy
 Community and Preventative Approaches
Unit 13: Social Psychology
Text: Morris and Maisto Chapter 12
Time: Approximately 14 days
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Group Dynamics
Attribution Processes
Interpersonal Perception
Conformity, Compliance, Obedience
Attitudes and Attitude Change
Organizational Behavior
Aggression/Antisocial Behavior
Cultural Influences
Additional time is spent reviewing for the AP test.