AP Psychology Syllabus – 2015-2016
TEACHER: Mr. Chris Basich – Rm. 212R
EMAIL: chris.basich@riversideschools.net
COURSE: AP Psychology
The purpose of AP Psychology is to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior
and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts,
principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology.
Course Objectives
1. Students will prepare to succeed on the AP Psychology Examination – ALL students are EXPECTED to
take the test. (If you choose not to, you will still take a scored AP Practice Test)
2. Students will study the major core concepts and theories of psychology. They will be able to define key
terms and use them in their everyday vocabulary.
3. Students will learn the basic skills of psychological research and be able to apply psychological concepts
to their own lives.
4. Students will develop critical thinking skills.
My personal philosophy of teaching:
 ALL students are capable of learning.
 Success in the classroom is both the Teacher’s and Student’s responsibility.
 Learning is important not only for success in school but also success in life
 Don’t teach to the test. Teach the skills necessary to be successful in all areas of your life.
(which include test taking)
How to succeed in this class:
Bring a positive attitude to class, maintain good attendance, take good notes, turn in assignments on time,
ask questions, participate in discussion, study for tests, and complete notes and reading guides.
Note: As with any college level class, much of the responsibility will be placed on you as students to
complete assignments and prepare for tests. Additionally, it will be up to you to make time in your schedule
to ask for help or make up tests. Please become familiar with my schedule so that you can make
arrangements to see me if necessary.
Grading Scale
The following grading scale has been established to determine the student’s nine weeks grade on all
quizzes, tests, projects, final grades, etc.
A = 100-90% B = 89-80% C = 79-70% D = 69-60% F = 59-0%
Determining your grade:
1. Tests (60%) will be given at the end of each unit and will consist of only 5-answer multiple-choice
questions and no more than two free-response questions (simulating the AP Exam).
2. Other assignments (40%) given to students are reading guides, class notes, outside reading
assignments, etc. These assignments vary with the unit being covered. All assignments will be due on the
day of the test unless otherwise noted. Most materials will be either posted on the Google Classroom or
distributed on the first day of the new chapter. You will need to join the Google Classroom in order to
retrieve some handouts, articles, videos, etc. It is your responsibility to make sure you are enrolled in
Google Classroom.
Online and Google Classrooms:
This site provides access to all Powerpoints, handouts, and lesson plans from our class. It also contains
links to several websites (AP Central, etc.), that will assist you in your preparation for the AP Psychology
Exam. (Note – we have a new online classroom system this year, so please bear with me as we make the
transition.)
Homework Expectations
Completing reading guides, notes, and studying for tests will make up the majority of your “homework” time
for this class. All homework will be collected on the day of the chapter test unless otherwise noted. Late
assignments will be accepted ONE day late and will only count for half credit (if complete). Any homework
received after this time period will not be accepted. Most college professors do not accept late work, so I am
trying to prepare you for what you will be seeing in the future. Also, note that most assignments will be due
at the end of the chapter so it is up to you to determine the timeframe in which you will complete the
coursework.
Make up Tests:
It is your responsibility to make up any tests that you miss. Tests will be made up within 3 days of original
test date. If you fail to make up the test in the above time-frame you will receive a zero score. Most college
professors do not allow students to make up tests. We need to start getting you prepared for your college
classes.
Electronic Devices:
If it would be helpful for you to bring a laptop / Ipad to class to take notes or complete assignments, please
do so. Cell phones are to only be used for educational purposes.
AP Psychology Course Outline:
1. History and Approaches
Psychology has evolved markedly since its inception as a discipline in 1879. There have been significant
changes in the theories that psychologists use to explain behavior and mental processes. In addition, the
methodology of psychological research has expanded to include a diversity of approaches to data
gathering.
2. Research Methods
Psychology is an empirical discipline. Psychologists develop knowledge by doing
research. Research provides guidance for psychologists who develop theories to
explain behavior and who apply theories to solve problems in behavior.
3. Neuroscience
An effective introduction to the relationship between physiological processes and
behavior—including the influence of neural function, the nervous system and the
brain, and genetic contributions to behavior—is an important element in the AP
course.
4. Sensation and Perception
Everything that organisms know about the world is first encountered when stimuli in the environment
activate sensory organs, initiating awareness of the external world. Perception involves the interpretation of
the sensory inputs as a cognitive process.
5. Developmental Psychology
Developmental psychology deals with the behavior of organisms from conception to death and examines
the processes that contribute to behavioral change throughout the life span. The major areas of emphasis in
the course are prenatal development, motor development, socialization, cognitive development,
adolescence, and adulthood.
6. States of Consciousness
Understanding consciousness and what it encompasses is critical to an appreciation of what is meant by a
given state of consciousness. The study of variations in consciousness includes an examination of the sleep
cycle, dreams, hypnosis, and the effects of psychoactive drugs.
7. Learning
This section of the course introduces students to differences between learned and unlearned behavior. The
primary focus is exploration of different kinds of learning, including classical conditioning, operant
conditioning, and observational learning. The biological bases of behavior illustrate predispositions for
learning.
8. Cognition
In this unit students learn how humans convert sensory input into kinds of
Information. They examine how humans learn, remember, and retrieve information. This part of the course
also addresses problem solving, language, and creativity.
9. Motivation and Emotion
In this part of the course, students explore biological and social factors that motivate behavior and biological
and cultural factors that influence emotion.
10. Personality
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.
11. Testing and Intelligence
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.
12. Abnormal Psychology / Treatment
In this portion of the course, students examine the nature of common challenges to adaptive functioning.
This section emphasizes formal conventions that guide
psychologists’ judgments about diagnosis and problem severity.
This section of the course provides students with an understanding of empirically
based treatments of psychological disorders. The topic emphasizes descriptions of treatment modalities
based on various orientations in psychology.
13. Social Psychology
This part of the course focuses on how individuals relate to one another in social
situations. Social psychologists study social attitudes, social influence, and other social phenomena.
14. Review For AP Test
We will have at least two weeks of review for the AP Test. Each day we will cover several multiple choice
practice questions, one or two past AP essays, and also have time for any questions.
AP Test: A Quick Look
The Exam:
The AP Psychology Exam includes a 70-minute multiple-choice section that accounts
for two-thirds of the exam grade and a 50-minute free-response section made up of two
questions that accounts for one-third of the exam grade.
AP Exam Grades
The Readers’ scores on the free-response questions are combined with the results of
the computer-scored multiple-choice questions; the weighted raw scores are summed
to give a composite score. The composite score is then converted to a grade on AP’s
5-point scale:
AP Grade Qualification
5 - Extremely well qualified
4 - Well qualified
3 - Qualified
2 - Possibly qualified
1 - No recommendation
2010 Results:
42 students took the test. Average score – 3.2 – 6 students scored a 5, 10 students a 4, 15 students a 3.
2011 Results:
43 students took the test: Average score – 3.3 - 4 - students scored a 5, 19 - students scored a 4, 11 students scored a 3.
2012 Results:
74 students took the test: Average score – 3.35 – 8 students scored a 5, 28 students scored a 4, 24 scored
a3
2013 Results:
65 students took the test: Average score – 3.05 - 7 students scored a 5, 20 students scored a 4, 14 scored
a3
2014 Results: (we had 11 snow days and also had 6th grade camp and senior project during exam
time)
55 students took the test: Average score – 2.93. 9 students scored a 5, 7 students scored a 4, 19 students
scored a 3
2015 Results: (we had 9 snow days and the test was not moved back – missed out on one complete
chapter of material)
53 students took the test: Average score – 2.98. 8 students scored a 5, 11 students scored a 4, 16 students
scored a 3, 8 students scored a 2, 10 students scored a 1.
Overall Average Score 2010-2015 – 3.135
NOTE: Riverside High School will reimburse the full cost of the AP Test (Approx. $89) if you score a 5, half
the cost if you score a 4, and a quarter of the cost if you score a 3. Additionally, many colleges will accept
3’s, 4’s, and 5’s for full introduction to psychology credit. (which can cost anywhere from $400-$1200)