Psychology is a one (1) semester course in the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals.
Included is a consideration of the psychological facts, principles, disorders and theories associated with each of the major subfields within psychology.
Students also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice.
A.
History of Early Psychology and Theories
 -Wundt, Titchener, James, Freud (Id, Ego, Superego, Stages of
Psychosexual Development) Watson, Harlow, Skinner, Maslow’s
(Hierarchy of Needs)
 -Experiments: “Little Albert”, “Skinner Box”
 -Introspection, Empathy, Stream of Consciousness
 -Goals of Psychology: Describe, Predict, Understand and
Influence Maladaptive Behavior
1.
Simulations: Introspection Slides
2.
Titchener Empathy Activity
3.
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development
4.
Introductory: Selective Attention Test (Invisible Gorilla Test)
B. Approaches:
1.
Biological
2.
Behavioral (Skinner, Watson, Raynor)
3.
Cognitive (Hull, 12-Step Programs)
4.
Humanistic (Rogers, Unconditional Positive Regard)
5.
Psychodynamic (Freud, Jung, Horney)
6.
Sociocultural (Bandura)
7.
Evolutionary/Sociobiological
1.
Lab # 1 – Psychological Approaches and Therapeutic
Modalities
2.
Project #1 – Psychological Approaches: Experiments
3.
Activity: What’s Going on with Lindsey Lohan?
4.
Video Clips: Conditioning: Sheldon conditions Penny (Big
Bang Theory)
5.
Video Clips: Classical Conditioning: Jim conditions Dwight
(The Office)
6.
Video Clip: Pavlov’s Dogs
7.
Readings: What is Behaviorism? Theory Charts: each
approach looks at Alcoholism.

Content Standards for Unit 1
A-1. Contemporary perspectives used by psychologists to understand behavior and mental processes in context
A-1.1 Describe and compare the biological, behavioral, cognitive, sociocultural, humanistic, and psychodynamic perspectives. IA-2. Major subfields and career opportunities that comprise psychology
IA-3. Research strategies used by psychologists to explore behavior and mental processes
IA-4. Purpose and basic concepts of statistics
IA-5. Ethical issues in research with human and other animals that are important to psychologists
IA-6. Development of psychology as an empirical science
A.
Experimental, Correlational, and Clinical Research:
1.
Correlational (e.g., observational, survey, clinical)
2.
Experimental Group / Control Group / Control / Placebo
3.
Independent / Dependent Variables
4.
Naturalistic Observation
5.
Longitudinal Studies
6.
Cross Sectional Studies, Sampling
7.
Case Studies
8.
Ethics: (Harlow, Milgram, Zimbardo, Willowbrook School)
 Lab #2 – Naturalistic Observation
 Video Clips: Stanford Prison Experiment o Milgram Revisited o Willowbrook 25 Years Later
 Readings: Scientific Method o How Clinical Trials Work o Adolescent Sleep and School Opening Times:
Research Study o Ethics and Psychology: How Far is too Far?
Content Standards for Unit 2
A-3.1 Describe the elements of an experiment.
IA-3.2 Explain the importance of sampling and random assignment in psychological research
IA-3.3 Describe and compare quantitative and qualitative research strategies.
IA-5.1 Identify ethical issues in psychological research.

1.
Brain Dominance Theories
2.
Neuro-anatomy & Disease: Parkinsons, Huntington’s Chorea, Dementia with Lewey Bodies, etc.
3.
Functional Organization of Nervous System
4.
Neural Transmission
5.
Consciousness
6.
Endocrine System
7.
Glasgow Coma Scale
8.
Brain Trauma Assessment, Anterograde, Retrograde Amnesia, Fugue
States, Aphasia, Stroke
9.
Neuroplasticity
1.
Lab # 3 – Best Brain Competition
2.
Simulation: Left Brain / Right Brain
3.
Simulation: Reaction Time and Texting
4.
Video Clips: TED Conference: Oliver Sacks
5.
Interactive Activity: Rabbit Game: What Drugs do to your
Brain.
6.
Video Clips: Reflex Examples: Patellar, Coen’s, Tonic,
Fencer, Moro
7.
Video Clip: Joe’s Split Brain Surgery
8.
NOVA episode: Daniel Tammet (Born on a Blue Day)
 Readings: “The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat”
 “My Lobotomy”
 Phineas Gage
 The Blood Brain Barrier
10.Film: Awakenings
11.Research Paper: Neurobiology Choice of Topic
Content Standards for Unit 3
IIA-1. Structure and function of the neuron
IIA-2. Organization of the nervous system
IIA-3. Hierarchical organization of the structure and function of the brain
IIA-4. Technologies and clinical methods for studying the brain
IIA-5. Structure and function of the endocrine system
IA-1.1 Identify the neuron as the basis for neural communication
IIA-6. How heredity interacts with the environment to influence behavior
IIA-7. How psychological mechanisms are influenced by evolution

1. Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
2. NREM and REM Sleep
3. Delta Waves, Entrainment, Hypnogogic Reaction, Sleep Phases: Twilight,
1,2,3,4, REM
4. Sleep Disorders: Narcolepsy, Cataplexy, Insomnia, Restless Leg
Syndrome, Apnea, REM Behavior Disorder, Night Terrors, Eurenisis.
1.
Lab # 4 – Sleep Experiment & Sleep Journal
2.
Data Analysis: Amount of students who slept, woke up before the bell (how many minutes), at the bell, after the bell. Compare Classes and total overall averages – break down data into male/female
3.
Video Clips: Cataxplexy, REM Behavior Disorder,
Sleep Terrors
4.
Reading: The Interpretation of Dreams: Sigmund
Freud
Content Standards for Unit 4
VD-1. Understand the nature of consciousness
IVD-2. Characteristics of sleep and theories that explain why we sleep
IVD-3. Theories used to explain and interpret dreams
IVD-4. Basic phenomena and uses of hypnosis
IVD-5. Categories of psychoactive drugs and their effects
1.
1.Cognition in Learning
2.
2.Types of Memory (Chunking, Pneumonic Devices)
3.
Intelligence Quotient (Stanford Binet)
4.
Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC)
5.
Vanderbilt Assessment for A.D.D. and A.D.H.D.
6.
Multiple Learning Styles: Auditory, Visual, Spatial, Kinesthetic.

7.
Language, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Processing Disorders
8.
Developmental Disabilities: Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome
1.
Lab # 5 - Breaking Set (Box of Creativity)
2.
Activity: Create your own Intelligence Test – Choose your area of expertise and write down 3 questions and answers. The class will answer these questions. Do their answers illustrate intelligence?
3.
Computer Activity: What’s your learning style?
4.
Video Episode: The World of Jenks: “Can’t Make me Be
Me” Chad Episode.
5.
Video Clip: Section of “Best Boy” Academy Award Winning
Documentary. Ira Wohl.
Content Standards for Unit 5
IVA-1. Characteristics of learning
IVA-2. Principles of classical conditioning
IVA-3. Principles of operant conditioning
IVA-4. Components of cognitive learning
IVA-5. Roles of biology and culture in determining learning
IVE-1. Concepts related to measurement of individual differences
IVE-2. Influence and interaction of heredity and environment on individual differences
IVE-3. Nature of intelligence
IVE-4. Nature of intelligence testing
1.
Biological Bases
2.
Theories of Motivation: Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain
3.
Social Motives: Theories of Emotion, Attribution Theory
4.
Stress and Stress Levels: Distress / Eustress
5.
Nonverbal Communication
 Self Efficacy: Al Bandura
 Activity: Stress Assessment
 Activity: Role Play – shake hands in character. Who is who?
 Activity: Role Play – Groups of 3, 2 tell truth, 1 lies. Class chooses Who’s the Liar?
 Simulation: What motivates you in:
 Friendships, Intimate Relationships, Group Dynamics,
Family
 Video Episode: NOVA This Emotional Life

Content Standards for Unit 6
IC-1. Motivational concepts
IIC-2. The role of biology and learning in motivation and emotion
IIC-3. Major theories of motivation
IIC-4. Interaction of biological and cultural factors in emotions and motivations
IIC-5. Role of values and expectancies in determining choice and strength of motivation
IIC-6. Physiological, affective, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of emotions and the interactions
among these aspects
IIC-7. Effects of motivation and emotion on perception, cognition, and behavior
ID-1. Sources of stress
IID-2. Physiological reactions to stress
IID-3. Psychological reactions to stress
IID-4. Cognitive and behavioral strategies for dealing with stress and promoting health
1.
Personality Theories and Approaches
2.
Assessment Techniques
3.
Self Defense Mechanisms: Denial, Suppression, Repression, Reaction
Formation, Undoing, Regression, Sublimation, Isolation of Affect,
Identification with Aggressor, Projection.
4.
Growth and Adjustment
5.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder




Activity: Defense Mechanism Cartoon
Computer Activity: Personality Tests
Reading: Freud and Defense Mechanisms
Film: Reign Over Me
2.
Paper: Film Analysis
Content Standards for Unit 7
IIIB-1. Distinguish between personality and personality constructs
IIIB-2. Personality approaches and theories
IIIB-3. Assessment tools used in personality

1.
Definitions of Abnormality (Maladaptive)
2.
Theories of Psychopathology
3.
Diagnosis of Psychopathology (Global Assessment Scale, DSM-IV
(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychological Disorders), AXIS I,
II, III and IV. Co-morbid Conditions.
4.
Anxiety Disorders – anxiety, panic, agoraphobia, phobias, obsessivecompulsive disorder
5.
Somatoform Disorders – conversion disorders, hysterical blindness, pregnancy, paralysis, Munchausen’s by Proxy.
6.
Mood Disorders – depression, dysthymia, bi-polar disorder, mania, seasonal affective disorder
7.
Schizophrenic Disorders – childhood schizophrenia, adult schizophrenia, catatonic, paranoid, and disorganized sub-types. Clang associations, stream of consciousness, other symptoms. a.
Video Simulation: Inside the Mind of a Schizophrenic 20/20 b.
Video Clip: Schizophrenia c.
Reading: 13 Illuminating Myths About Schizophrenia d.
Reading:
8.
Organic Disorders – Neurological Disorders, Tourette’s Syndrome,
Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Pica a.
Video Clip: Dying to be Thin b.
Reading: I’m Not my Tourette’s c.
Readings: Multiple from a variety of sources – changed as
needed (outdated, etc.)
A.
Personality Disorders
1.
Borderline, Narcissism, Paranoid, Pathological Lying, Co-
Dependent, Anti-social Personality Disorder. Reactive
Attachment Disorder
2.
Reading: 14 Signs of a Potential Serial Killer
3.
Reading: The Sociopath Next Door: “How to Identify and Avoid them in your Life”
B.
Dissociative Disorders
1.
Dissociative Identity Disorder.
1.
Reading: The Three Faces of Eve
2.
Project 2: Research Paper: Psychological Disorder and
Cinema. Film Analysis of your choosing, (list provided – please see me if you have a choice not on my list).
Identify, describe and discuss the disorder illustrated in the film. Describe the plot line and how it involves the disorder. Analyze whether or not the film was realistic in

portraying the disorder and what discrepancies you noticed.
Content Standards for Unit 8
VA-2.2 Characterize the advantages and limitations of different research methods for studying abnormal behavior. VA-3: Major categories of abnormal behavior
VA-3.1 Discuss major categories of abnormal behavior.
VA-3.2 Explore the challenges associated with accurate diagnosis. VA-4:
Impact of mental disorders
VA-4.1 Consider factors that influence vulnerability to abnormal behavior.
VA-4.2 Discuss the stigma associated with abnormal behavior and speculate about means for promoting greater understanding of abnormal behavior.
VB-1. Prominent methods used to treat individuals with disorders
VB-2. Types of practitioners who implement treatment
VB-3. Legal and ethical challenges involved in delivery of treatment
A.
Heredity-Environment Issues
B.
Developmental Theories: Piaget, Sensory Motor, Preoperational,
Concrete Operational, Formal Operational, Object Permanence
1.
Lab # 6 – “Which glass has more water?” Which sandwich do you want? Activity with a child in pre-operational stage and concrete operational stage. Keep journal.
2.
Physical – growth spurts, pre-adolescence, adolescence, extended adolescence (amygdala development until 25 years of age), young adulthood, adulthood, mid-life, older adult-hood.
C.
Sex Roles, Sex Differences: Gender and Stereotypes.
1.
Video Clips: Infancy and Object Permanence (Peek-a-boo), Preoperational Stages
2.
Video Clips: Cartoons and Games.
1.
Sesame Street (developmental stage)
2.
Teletubbies (developmental stage)
3.
Barney (developmental stage)
4.
Hey Arnold/Rug Rats (developmental stage)
5.
Sponge Bob (developmental stage
Project 3: You will pick an age level out of a basket and create a children’s book based on your Piaget Stage.

Content Standards for Unit 9
IIIA-1. Development as a lifelong process
IIIA-2. Research techniques used to gather data on the developmental process
IIIA-3. Theories of development
IIIA-4. Issues surrounding the developmental process (nature/nurture, continuity/discontinuity, stability/instability, critical periods)
: Transitions: Attitude and Goal Setting.
Flexibility and Happiness. Handling difficulties in Life. Dealing with Family and
Relationships. (discussions are student driven)
Final Exam.
Adjusted for a Half-Year Course from:
Standards:American Psychological Association Standards for High
School Psychology Curricula http://www.apa.org/education/k12/national-standards.
And
A.P. (Advanced Placement) Psychology: College Board http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_psych.html