PURPOSES
To introduce the Advanced Placement student to the systematic and scientific study of the behavioral 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. They also learn about the methods psychologists use to explore the processes involved in normal and abnormal perceptions, thoughts, feelings and actions.
Through the AP Psychology course, the student receives an opportunity to pursue and receive credit for college-level course work at the secondary level. The course work is sponsored by the College Board and is based on the premise that college-level material can be taught successfully to able, motivated and well-prepared secondary students.
DESCRIPTION OF COURSE
This introductory psychology class will adopt the pattern of about 30% of those schools teaching it, offering two semesters of study, which reflects the slower learning pace of the typical secondary student. The full year course also recognizes the learning advantages of the longer time period, given the intellectual demands of the AP Psychology course.
INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT
The two major formats of teaching, lectures and demonstrations, will be used. However, the psychology course naturally lends itself to additional teaching methods such as laboratory investigations, group work, simulations, research projects, films/videos and guests speakers. All, in some mix, can and will be used profitably in teaching the AP Psychology course.
Special emphasis will be given to providing hands-on experiences which will demonstrate the principles of psychology being taught. This will be especially true in teaching the concepts of perception, sensation, cognition, memory, learning and the whole fabric of the biology of behavior. Such activities not only illustrate the concept or fact being taught and consolidate learning, but also maintain student interests and create an active rather than passive learning environment. Because many demonstrations constitute a miniexperiment, they also teach some of the processes involved in psychological research.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. Students should study the major core concepts and theories of psychology. They should be able to define key terms and use these terms in their everyday vocabulary. Students should be able to compare and contrast the major theories in psychology. Students should develop an understanding of the biological and psychological bases of behavior.
2. Students should learn the basic skills of psychological research. They should be able to devise simple research projects, interpret and generalize from results, and evaluate the general validity of research reports. Students should be able to recognize the scientific nature of investigation in psychology.
3. Students should be able to apply psychological concepts to their own lives. They should be able to recognize psychological principles when they are encountered in everyday situations.
4. Students should develop critical thinking skills. They should become aware of the danger of accepting or rejecting any psychological theory without careful, objective evaluation.
5. Students should build their reading, writing and discussion skills.
6. Students should learn about the ethical standards governing the work of psychologists. They should maintain high ethical standards and sensitivity in applying the principles of psychology to themselves, other people and other organisms.
7. Students will be able to, through content instruction, hands-on experimentation and practical applications/activities in AP
Psychology demonstrate skills acquired which are identified in QCC Skill Objectives dealing with: a. Locating, analyzing and evaluating data b. Problem solving c. Establishing causal and correlative relationships and distinguishing between them d. Development of social participation in group investigations and discussions
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AP PSYCHOLOGY COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Instructor: Danielle Kaiser,A-210, Danielle_kaiser@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: www.brookwoodhighschool.net go to Teacher Pages and click on Danielle Kaiser
Text: Psychology (8 th ed.), David G. Myers (cost: $82.50)
1. All students are expected to keep an interactive notebook which contains notes, worksheets, handouts, terms with definitions and applications, and writing exercises. The purpose of the notebook is for you to use to study for quizzes, tests, and the AP exam.
This notebook should be maintained in chronological order, with all assignments for a specific topic together. This will facilitate study habits and retrieval of information. Further information will be provided about the requirements for your notebook. It will be necessary for you to get a three ring 1 ½ inch binder OR a spiral bound notebook with at least 150 pages. If you choose the spiral bound notebook, then you will need to get a tiny stapler to staple handouts and assignments into the notebook.
2. All students are required to maintain a folder that will be located in a filing cabinet labeled with your class period. The folder will include all quizzes, unit tests, and essays. You are required to keep all work in these folders. If you would like to review tests, quizzes, or essays, you may come by during my office hours after school or during your guided study period.
3. All students are expected to complete the following assignments:
DAILY WORK: a. Daily reading assignments (approximately ½ to 1 chapter a week) & reading quizzes b. Vocabulary assignments
– students will be held responsible for terms assigned in each chapter, quizzes will be given using a variety of formats c. Unit homework and exercises, including review sheets and quizzes d. Note taking in class over lectures, exercises and activities e. Participation in class discussions, debates and cooperative learning activities f. Writing over assigned Psychology topics (Application Papers) g. Unit Study Guides
TESTS: a. Chapter tests b. Unit tests c. Tests will be multiple choice, completion and essay
PROJECTS: a. 1 st Semester: Brain Project (details to be given later)
“Baby Book” Project (details to be given later) b. 2 nd Semester: Book review of Psychology related book (book list will be given)
AP Exam Review (in-class participation required of ALL students)
AP Exam (does not count on Semester grade)
Grading Policy: The scale for Gwinnett County is:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 71-79
D = 70
F = 0-69
Your semester average will be computed in the following manner:
45% Summative Assessments. Most Unit Tests will be multiple-choice (weighed 30%) and free-response (weighed 15%). Major projects will count as test grades.
35% Classroom Assessments (Daily grade average). This will include quizzes, interactive notebook checks, homework assignments, terms and applications, & similar material.
20% Comprehensive Final Exam (15% objective, 5% writing).
For AP students the following additional factors will be weighed in assigning grades: At Semester end, each student will receive an additional ten (10) points added to the accumulative average. (For example: Student’s average is 81, grade card will reflect a 91.)
Class Attendance: Attendance in class is very important and any absences from class should be avoided. Be absent from class only when absolutely necessary. Excessive absences will most likely result in poor academic performance.
Assistance: I am available to help students after school from 2:15 until 3:00. Please make an appointment at least one day in advance.
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1 st Semester
I. Introduction to Psychology
A. The Nature and History of Psychology
B. Approaches and Perspectives
C. Statistics
D. Research Methods and Ethics in Psychology
II. The Biological Bases of Behavior
A. Neuron Structure
B. Organization - Central Nervous System
C. Organization - Peripheral Nervous System
D. Endocrine System
E. Genetics
III. Developmental Psychology
A. Theories of human development
B. Prenatal development
C. Infancy and Childhood
D. Cognitive Development
E. Adolescence
F. Adult Development
IV. Sensation and Perception
A. The nature and differences of Sensation/Perception
B. Vision/theories of color vision/depth perception
C. Perceptual organization principles/illusions
D. Hearing - pitch, frequency, amplitude, timbre
E. Structure/function of ear
F. Theories of hearing
G. Chemical Senses - smell, taste
H. Kinesthetic Senses - touch, balance, body
V. States of Consciousness
A. Nature of consciousness
B. Stages/functions of sleep, dreams
C. Sleep disorders and dysfunctions - causes
D. Hypnosis
E. Psychoactive drugs and their effects
VI. Learning and Memory
A. Conditioned learning - classical/operant
B. Reinforcement - types/schedules
C. Other learning - observational, insight, cognitive, latent
D. Behavior therapy
E. Memory - sensory, short-term, long-term
F. Factors affecting learning, memory
G. The biology of memory
VII. Language, Thinking and Intelligence
A. Basics of Language
B. Language Development
C. Concepts - words as symbols
D. Problem Solving and Creativity
E. Intelligence
F. Heredity/Environment and Intelligence
G. Standardization, norms, reliability & validity
H. Ethics and standards in testing
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2 nd Semester
VIII. Stress and Health
A. Stress and Stressors
B. Coping with Stress
C. Managing Stress
IX. Motivation and Emotion
A. Physical Motivations
B. Social/Psychological motivations
C. Motivational Theories
D. Nature of Emotions - cultural, biological
E. Theories of Emotion
X. Personality
A. Nature of personality
B. Psychoanalytic theory
C. Trait theory
D. Social learning theory
E. Self theory
F. Measurement of personality
XI. Abnormal Behavior
A. Defining abnormal behavior
B. Classifying abnormal behavior
C. Anxiety disorders
D. Dissociative disorders
E. Somatoform disorders
F. Mood disorders
G. Schizophrenic disorders
H. Organic and Personality disorders
XII. Behavioral Treatment
A. Historical overviews
B. Insight-oriented therapies
C. Behavioral therapy
D. Group therapy
E. Biological therapies
XIII. Social Psychology
A. Attitudes - origins, nature of
B. Social Perception
C. Interpersonal relationships
D. Authority reactions
E. Group behavior
F. Conformity
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