Course: AP Psychology
Teacher: Mrs. McPherson
Contact Information: Please contact me through e-mail
daleana.mcpherson@gilbertschools.net
Course Overview: The purpose of this course is to introduce and ensure the students
understanding of the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes
of human beings and other animals. The course objectives are:
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Students will be able to identify the goals of psychology by learning how to state,
define, and apply psychological concepts.
Students will be able to describe the major perspectives by comparing and
contrasting.
Students will be able to define key terms and apply them to everyday life.
Students will be prepared to succeed on the AP Psychology Exam.
Textbook: The textbook for the course is the seventh edition of Psychology by
Douglas A. Bernstein, Louis A. Penner, Alison Clarke-Stewart, and Edward J. Roy
Student Evaluation:
Notebook/ Assignments
Free Response Questions
Major Projects and Quizzes
Test
Midterm/Final Exam
10%
15%
25%
30%
20%
Notebooks:
The students are required to have a 3 ring binder with 5 dividers. There will be a
notebook check at the end of each chapter. The notebook scoring rubric is below. The
notebook check will be based on the organization and up keep. For example, all papers
placed in the appropriate sections.
Scoring guidelines for notebooks
5 – Exemplary Work: displays superior organization, each section is set up
properly, all assignments and notes are accounted for and in order
4 – Good Work: appropriate organization, assignments and notes are mostly in
order and complete
3 – Satisfactory Work: somewhat organized, set up may be out of order, some
notes and assignments are missing or out of order
2 – Unsatisfactory Work: set up is mostly out of order or not complete, notes and
assignments are missing
1 – Minimal Work: there is not attempt on the notebook, few notes and
assignments
Course Planner
The assignment column below reflects major assignments and projects, assigned readings
for homework, notebook checks, quizzes and tests. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE
TO LOOK AT THE SYLLABUS DAILY FOR ALL ASSIGNMENTS & DUE
DATES! EVERY MONDAY WE WILL FILL IN DUE DATES FOR THE WEEKS
ASSIGNMENTS AND READING.
Chapters
Chapter 1:
Introducing
Psychology
Topics and Concepts
*Major Projects and FRQ’S
Subfields of psychology, Historical
figures and their Theoretical
approaches, Foundation of
psychology and Human diversity
Important Dates to
know
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Chapter 2:
Research in
Psychology
Naturalistic observation, Surveys,
Reading Guide
Correlation studies, Experiments,
Due Date:__________
Case studies, Statistics and Ethics in
research
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
* Silent Discussion on Animal
key terms are due.
Research
Test Date: _________
Chapter 3:
Biological
Aspects of
Psychology
Cells of the nervous system, the
Peripheral nervous system, Central
nervous system, Neurotransmitters,
Endocrine system and the Immune
system
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
* Childhood Storybook of a Neuron
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
* Brain Mobiles
* Practice Free Response Question
Test Date: _________
Chapters
Chapter 4 :
Sensation
Topics and Concepts
*Major Projects and FRQ’S
Sensory system, Hearing, Vision,
Chemical senses, Somatic senses
and Vestibular system
Important Dates to
know
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Chapter 5:
Perceptual processes, Attention
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Perception
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
* Free Response Question over
Chapters 4 & 5
Chapter 6:
Learning
Classical conditioning, Operant
conditioning, Cognitive process,
Social learning
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Chapters
Chapter 7:
Topics and Concepts
* Major Projects and FRQ’S
Memory
Important Dates to
Know
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
* Free Response Question
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
Memory
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Chapter 8:
Cognition and
Language
Functions of thought, Thinking
strategies, Problem solving,
Decision making, Language
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Chapter 9:
Consciousness
Functions and levels of
consciousness, Sleep and Dreaming,
Hypnosis, Psychoactive drugs
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
* Free Response Question
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Chapters
Chapter 10:
Cognitive
Ability
Midterm
End of 1st semester
Topics and Concepts
* Major Projects and FRQ’S
Intelligence and testing, Reliability
and validity, Types of test, Diversity
in cognitive abilities
* Debate on Nature vs Nurture
regarding Intelligence
* Free Response Question
Chapter 11:
Motivation
and Emotion
Important Dates to
Know
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Concepts and Theories of
motivation, Hunger and Eating,
Motives, Emotion, Theories of
emotion
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
* Motivation Group Project
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
Test Date: _________
Chapter 12:
Human
Development
Development: prenatal, infancy and
childhood, adolescence, adulthood,
Developmental theories, Cognitive
development, Gender roles
* Free Response Question
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Chapters
Chapter 13:
Topics and Concepts
* Major Projects and FRQ’S
Stress and Stressors, Health and
Illness, Promoting Healthy Behavior
Health, Stress,
and Coping
Important Dates to
Know
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Chapter 14:
Personality
Personality theories and approaches,
Personality and culture, Assessing
personality
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
*Project ME
* Color Survey
*Analysis of Dr. Seuss
Chapter 15:
Psychological
Disorders
Definition of abnormal, Explaining
and classifying psychological
disorders, Anxiety disorders,
Somatoform disorders, Mood
disorders, Schizophrenia,
Personality disorders,
Psychopathology
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
* Free Response Question over
Chapter 14
Chapters
Chapter 16:
Treatment of
Psychological
Disorders
Topics and Concepts
* Major Projects and FRQ’S
Treatments, Perspective approaches
and therapy, Culture factors in
psychotherapy
Important Dates to
Know
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Chapter 17:
Social
Cognition
Social perception, Attitudes,
Prejudice and stereotypes,
Interpersonal attraction
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Chapter 18:
Social
Influence
Conformity, Compliance,
Obedience, Aggression, Altruism,
Social dynamics, Group processes
* Free Response Question over
Chapter 18
Reading Guide
Due Date:__________
Key Terms
Due Date:__________
* Key Term quizzes are on
the same date as when the
key terms are due.
Test Date: _________
Final Exam
Review (May)
AP Exam (May)
Assignments: Students will be responsible for reading assignments from the textbook
assigned as homework. The assignments will be clearly stated ahead of time, as well as,
quizzes and exams. Other assignments include key terms, reading guides, group projects,
papers, and class presentations. Daily assignments and activities will vary in points.
Late assignments will start at half credit (50%) and must be turned in the next day
from initial due date; otherwise it will be a zero.
Free Response Questions:
These are similar to essays; however, the format is different. These are the type of write
up’s on the AP exam. The scoring rubric is on a scale of 1-10, which a more detail hand
out will distributed in class.
Major Projects:
All the major projects are listed in the course planner. LATE PROJECTS WILL NOT
BE ACCEPTED (not even for half credit)!
Quizzes:
There will be a vocabulary quiz for each chapter and a reading quiz that will consist of 2
questions from the section of reading.
Tests:
There will be a chapter test at the end of discussing each chapter. Each test will consist
of 20 multiple choice questions.
Midterm/ Final:
There will be a midterm at the end of first semester that will be over all the chapters
covered in that semester. The final will cumulative, which means there will be a couple
of questions from each chapter in first semester and the majority of questions, will be
from second semester.
* This course is run as much as possible as a college course, therefore it is important that
students understand that the course will be conducted at a faster pace, this is why keeping
up with the reading is crucial. In addition, please make sure the guidelines are clear,
especially the late work policy.
AP Psychology
Student name: __________________________________ (please print)
Period ____
I understand the following rules, polices, and consequences (ESPECIALLY THE
CELL PHONE/IPODS AND TARDY RULE AND CONSEQUENCE).
Student signature: ______________________________
Date: ________
I understand the school policies, classroom rules and consequences that my child
needs to follow and are responsible for.
Parent/Guardian signature: _________________________
Date: ______
* Please e-mail me for questions or concerns (my email is on the first page);
however, if you would like me to reach you by phone instead please leave a number
& name of the parent/guardian you would like me to reach through e-mail.
Parent/Guardian e-mail and/or cell number:
__________________________________________________
Thank you,
Mrs. McPherson
McPherson’s Class Rules & guidelines:
Absences and Tardies:
The school policy entails that if a student is late they will be sent to sweep,
which is a classroom for late students to sit in order not to disturb their class.
The student is responsible for coming to see me that day for the work that
they have missed. Absences are crucial for the student’s success in class.
Please note that the majority of assignments are done in class, therefore,
is important for you to have minimal absences. If you are absent please
look in the make-up work folders and talk to me a soon as you return.
Make-up policy: You have as many days as you were gone (or at least
within that week) to make-up any assignments or test (this only applies to
excused absences). If you fail to see within 2 weeks of your return (excused
or not) you will not be able to make any test or major assignments. You
must make an appointment with me to take the test, if an appointment is
made and you do not show up, this will result in a zero unless you come
see me before your appointment to cancel. Unexcused absences will
result in a zero for the assignment and test given that day.
CLASSROOM RULES* NUMBER ONE RULE - BE RESPECTFUL to the teacher, classroom
and other students!!!! YOU MAY RECEIVE A WARNING AND/OR
COPY ASSIGNMENT OR A REFERRAL DEPENDING ON THE
SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION. Most apparent reasons for deductions
are for using swear words in class, inappropriate conversations, talking
excessively, being defiant, cell phone taken away 3 times or more. If a copy
assignment is not completed within a week you will lose 10 Desert Ridge
points.
* ABSOUTELY NO FOOD OR DRINK /CELL PHONES/ Ipods etc. IN
CLASSROOM!!!! – IF I JUST SEE IT IN PLAIN VIEW (BEING USED
OR NOT), OR SEE YOU TEXTING, OR HEAR CELL PHONES AND
Ipods IT WILL BE DEDUCTION OF 10 POINTS EACH TIME. After
3 times it will be taken until afterschool (2:30). Please keep in mind since
the rule is no cell phones or Ipods I am not responsible for lost or stolen
phones in class.