Advanced Placement Psychology
Summer Assignment
Guidelines:
In order to get a jump start on the AP Psychology curriculum, each student is expected to read and take
notes on the Prologue of the AP Psychology textbook (pages 1 - 30). This section of the text defines
psychology, introduces students to the historical development of the field of psychology and begins a
discussion of research strategies used in the field of psychology. Several psychologists and
psychological perspectives are introduced. It is important that you thoroughly read this section to begin
building background knowledge for the course.
After reading and taking notes choose a scandalous celebrity and explain his or her behavior from each
of the psychological perspectives found on page 11 of the textbook. Think of one particularly
scandalous behavior to analyze. Be sure to apply your knowledge of the perspectives and to clarify how
each perspective would explain this behavior as you complete the attached worksheet.
Carefully read the section on Naturalistic Observation found on pages 29-30 of your textbook. Conduct
your own naturalistic observation on a person of your choosing. Fill in the accompanying worksheet
over the course of the observation. Each observation should last approximately 30 minutes and take
place over 3 to 4 days – the days do not necessarily need to be consecutive. Be sure to choose a person
that you will see at least 3 to 4 days this summer!
After completing all observations you will compose an Informational / Explanatory writing assignment
on the following question:
After reading the historical development of psychology and conducting a naturalistic observation, write
an essay that explains your subject’s behavior from two of the psychological perspectives. Be sure to
use clear comparative language and support your discussion with evidence from the textbook.
Essay Format:
 4 – 6 pages
 Double-spaced
 Times New Roman, 12 pt. font
 1 inch margins
 Use comparative language throughout the paper
Refer to the attached rubric to help guide your writing.
Due Date and Grades:
ALL SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!
This includes the celebrity analysis and the informational writing assignment, as well as the
observational worksheets attached. The celebrity analysis is worth 2 formative grades, and the
informational writing assignment is worth 2 summative grades. Assignments turned in late will be
penalized 10% for each day it is late.
***THE BOOKS ASSIGNED TO YOU FOR THE SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE YOURS
FOR THE YEAR. PLEASE HAVE THEM BOTH COVERED BY THE FIRST DAY OF
SCHOOL.***
If you have any questions regarding the assignment at any point, please do not hesitate to contact your
teacher via email. Have a great summer!
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AP Psychology Summer Assignment
Cecil County Public Schools
Summer 2012
Celebrity Analysis
Name: _______________________________________ Date: _________________
Directions: After reading and taking notes choose a scandalous celebrity and explain his or her
behavior from each of the psychological perspectives found on page 11 of the textbook. Think
of one particularly scandalous behavior to analyze. Be sure to apply your knowledge of the
perspectives and to clarify how each perspective would explain this behavior as you complete the
worksheet. Write a complete paragraph for each perspective.
Celebrity Name: _______________________________________________________________
Behavior: _____________________________________________________________________
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Neuroscience - _________________________________________________________________
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Evolutionary - _________________________________________________________________
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Behavior genetics - _____________________________________________________________
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Psychodynamic - _______________________________________________________________
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AP Psychology Summer Assignment
Cecil County Public Schools
Summer 2012
Behavioral - ___________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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Cognitive - ____________________________________________________________________
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Social-cultural - _______________________________________________________________
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3
AP Psychology Summer Assignment
Cecil County Public Schools
Summer 2012
Naturalistic Observation
Name: _______________________________________ Date: __________________
Directions: Carefully read the section on Naturalistic Observation found on pages 29-30 of your
textbook. Conduct your own naturalistic observation on a person of your choosing. Fill in the
worksheet over the course of the observation. Each observation should last approximately 30
minutes and take place over 3 to 4 days – the days do not necessarily need to be consecutive. Be
sure to choose a person that you will see at least 3 to 4 days this summer! During the
observations, remember, you are not to interact with the subject. Keep in mind the ethics of
research while completing this assignment.
Day 1
Start time: _______________________ End time: _______________________
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AP Psychology Summer Assignment
Cecil County Public Schools
Summer 2012
Day 2
Start time: _______________________ End time: _______________________
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AP Psychology Summer Assignment
Cecil County Public Schools
Summer 2012
Day 3
Start time: _______________________ End time: _______________________
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AP Psychology Summer Assignment
Cecil County Public Schools
Summer 2012
ARGUMENTATIVE WRITING RUBRIC
4 = Expert
Focus
3 = Practitioner
2 = Apprentice
1 = Novice
Addresses all aspects of the
prompt with a highly focused
and convincing response.
Addresses the prompt and
stays on task.
Addresses the prompt but
strays from task at times.
Provides a convincing
response.
Provides a generally
convincing response.
Reading/Research
Demonstrates accurate and
highly effective use of reading
materials to develop an
argument and a superior
understanding of content as
presented in the prompt.
Demonstrates effective use of
reading materials to develop
argument and an
understanding of the content
as presented in the prompt.
Demonstrates generally
effective use of reading
materials to develop
argument.
Attempts to use reading
materials to develop
argument.
Controlling Idea
Establishes a substantive and
credible claim.
Establishes a credible claim.
Establishes a credible claim.
Acknowledges competing
arguments while defending
the claim.
Acknowledges competing
arguments with minimal
defense of position.
Attempts to establish a claim
but is weak or off task.
Develops a highly detailed
and convincing argument.
Develops an argument with
applicable detail.
Develops an argument with
some detail to support claim.
Lacks sufficient detail to
support reasoning.
Provides relevant evidence in
the form of examples or
explanations from reading
material.
Provides relevant evidence in
the form of examples or
explanations from reading
material.
Provides relevant evidence in
the form of examples from
reading material.
Examples are provided but
are not relevant or are not
taken from reading material.
Makes clarifying connections
that illuminate argument and
add depth to reasoning.
Makes relevant connections
that help to clarify argument.
Makes a relevant connection
that helps to clarify argument.
Connection is made but it
does not help to clarify
argument.
Applies a fluid text structure
that develops reasoning.
Applies an appropriate text
structure that develops
reasoning.
Applies a text structure that
develops reasoning.
Provides a weak text
structure.
Applies a logic model.
Composition is generally
logical.
Composition is somewhat
confusing.
Demonstrates an adequate
command of standard English
conventions and cohesion.
Demonstrates a satisfactory
command of standard English
conventions.
Demonstrates a weak
command of standard English
conventions
Employs language and tone
appropriate to audience and
purpose.
Employs language appropriate
to audience and purpose.
Lacks cohesion.
Acknowledges relevant
competing arguments while
defending or qualifying the
claim as appropriate.
Development
Organization
Applies a specific logic model,
such as deductive reasoning.
Conventions
Demonstrates a welldeveloped command of
standard English conventions
and cohesion.
Employs language and tone
appropriate to audience and
purpose.
7
Attempts to address prompt
but lacks focus or is off-task.
Attempts to acknowledge
competing arguments.
Language and tone are not
appropriate to audience and
purpose.
AP Psychology Summer Assignment
Cecil County Public Schools
Summer 2012