NIVA International School
2016
August 2015 - May
Introduction to
Psychology
August 2015
NIVA International School
2016
August 2015 - May
Psychology Curriculum Guide
Contents
Philosophy and Introduction
Standards and Benchmarks
Resources
Scope and Sequence
Teaching Strategies
Assessment Strategies
Curriculum Map
Curriculum Map
Departmental Philosophy
Subject Introduction
Psychology focuses on the history, advances in technology, and both internal and external influences
that affect human mental development. The student will learn the various elements of human behavioral
development that emphasize concepts such as “self-esteem” and “self-responsibility.” The course should be
presented in thematic units using various learning experiences such as group interaction and community
service. Skill development will include, but is not limited to, the interpretation and application of maps, graphs,
charts, political cartoons, primary documents, and other social studies tools. The avenues for these concepts
are developed through the social studies strands.
The social studies curriculum should be taught in a developmental sequence. This means that the
instruction proceeds from the simple to the complex, beginning with the child’s immediate geographic world
and expanding to the world, using history, civics, and economics to develop the child’s knowledge and
perspectives. The expanding theme that is incorporated in this framework refers to a curriculum progression
in the study of people from self, families, communities, cities, regions, Thailand, and to the world.
Standards may be taught thematically, chronologically, geographically, or in any other format a district
develops. The standards are required to be taught. The standards combine these strands: civics, history,
geography, and economics. Standards may be taught throughout the year in any order and combined with
other standards. Standards are not ranked in order of importance; rather the sequence of competencies
relates to the broader K-12 framework. Standards provide a general guideline of on-going instruction, not
isolated units, activities, or skills.
The suggested objectives are optional, not mandatory. Objectives indicate skills that enable fulfillment
of competencies, describe competencies in further detail, or show the progression of concepts throughout the
grades. School districts may adopt the objectives, modify them, and are encouraged to write their own
objectives to meet the needs of students in their school district.
High school students (Grades 10 - 12) may take the course.
Number of credits: 1; Duration: 2 semesters; Period Frequency: 5 days per week at 45 – 50 minute periods.
NIVA International School
2016
August 2015 - May
Standards and Benchmarks
STRANDS:
(C – Civics)
(H – History)
(G – Geography)
(E – Economics)
Standard 1. Describe the impact of people, places, and events on the development of the
study of psychology. (H,G)
1. Identify major contributors to the study of psychology.
2. Trace the development of psychological study from one of a theory to that of a science.
3. Describe the relationship of psychology to other sciences (e.g., sociology, biology, etc.).
Standard 2. Analyze the impact of science and technology on the study of psychology. (C, H
E)
1. Analyze the methods of measuring the development of the human mind.
2. Define and describe psychological disorders and identify scientific and medical advances that
have helped treat them.
Standard 3. Evaluate the impact of various environmental factors on the development of the
human mind. (C,H,G,E)
1. Analyze the internal influences on human development (e.g., heredity, etc.).
2. Identify the impact of external influences on human development (e.g., media, school, family,
economic situations, etc.).
Standard 4. Examine the factors that help develop one’s attitude toward citizenship
responsibility. (C,E)
1. Discuss the effects of personality traits as well as personality and psychological disorders
which impact proper citizenship.
2. Discuss the role of psychologists and other psychology related careers in our society.
Standard 5. Assess the key elements of psychological study and personality development.
(H,E)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Analyze the behavioral stages of socialization and maturation.
Recognize the various methods of learning (e.g., cognitive, psychomotor, etc.).
Recognize the methods of measuring knowledge (e.g., IQ, etc.).
Explain the economic and emotional “costs” associated with various disorders (e.g.,
compulsion, obsession, etc.).
5. Discuss the influences of various drugs on the mind and body.
6. Compare the relationships of various emotions to their resolutions.
Resources
1. Understanding Psychology, Teachers Edition
NIVA International School
2016
2. Psychology Today (Monthly Journal) – www.psychologytoday.com
3. Human Development
4. Glencoe Online – www.glencoe.com
Scope and Sequence
Chapter 1 The Evolution of Psychology
1. History of Psychology
2. Major study areas in Psychology
3. Scientific investigation
4. Types of research in Psychology
5. Statistics techniques
Chapter 2 Human Development across the Lifespan
6. Prenatal development
7. Childhood
8. Adolescence
9. Adulthood
Chapter 3 The Biological Bases of Behavior
10. Physiological Psychology
11. The neurons
12. The nervous system
13. The endocrine system
14. Heredity and genetics
15. Sensation and perception
16. Consciousness and states of consciousness
17. Sleep and waking cycles
18. Dream theories
Chapter 4 Learning and Cognitive Processes
19. Learning principles
20. Memory and thought processes.
21. Motivation and emotion
Chapter 5 Personality and Adjustment
22. Personality
23. Psychological tests
24. Stress and coping mechanisms
25. Drug addiction
Chapter 6 Social Psychology
26. Social behavior
27. Individual and group attitude
Teaching Strategies
1.
2.
3.
4.
Discussions
Film showing
Reading assignments
Group work / activity
Assessment Strategies
August 2015 - May
NIVA International School
2016
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Student Portfolio
Pair Work/Group Work (Group Dynamics, Surveys, Experiments)
Individual Work (Projects, Journal)
Tests
Research Rubrics
August 2015 - May