AP Psychology, Midterm Study Guide
Know the entirety of these concepts. Shallow understanding of the concepts will not be sufficient. Refer
to your class notes, vocabulary, outlines, textbooks and website links. The math link can help you with
the statistics/research concepts. Attend morning (daily) or afterschool (Wednesdays)help sessions for
concept clarity.
Chapter 1 and 2-History and Research
Eight Perspectives:
1. Psychoanalytic
2. Behavioral
3. Biological/biomedical
4. Evolutionary
5. Humanistic
6. Socio-cultural/Social Learning
7. Biopsychosocial
8. Cognitive
positive correlation
negative correlation
mean
mode
median
longitudinal study (including advantages/disadvantages)
cross sectional study (including advantages/disadvantages)
American Psychological Associations ethical guidelines for research
normal curve
distribution of scores
standard deviation
statistical significance
percentile scores
scatterplot
survey
case study
experimental study
independent variable
dependant variable
experimental group
control group
placebo effect
operational definitions including the purpose
descriptive statistics
statistical inference
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random sampling/representative sample
random assignment
Consciousness (Chapter 5)
circadian rhythm
somnambulism
narcolepsy
sleep terrors
sleep apnea
insomnia
stimulants
depressants
withdrawal
tolerance
hallucinogens
hypnosis
state theory and pain control
role theory
Learning (Chapter 6)
Classical conditioning
UCS
UCR
CS
CR
Operant conditioning
shaping
Discrimination
Generalization
extinction
Schedules of reinforcement (fixed ratio and interval, varied ratio and interval)
Robert Rescorla’s contingency model of classical conditioning
Latent learning
Learned helplessness
biofeedback
Memory (Chapter 7A)
procedural memory
episodic memory
semantic memory
declarative memory
non-declarative memory
serial position effect
retrograde amnesia
anterograde amnesia
priming
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levels of processing theory
proactive interference
retroactive interference
elaborative rehearsal
Thinking, Problem Solving, Creativity and Language (Chapter7B) and Intelligence (Chapter 11)
confirmation bias
functional fixedness
divergent thinking
mental set
framing
phoneme/phonemic
morphemes
grammar
semantics
syntax
heuristic
algorithm
Prototype
Validity (construct, test/retest, concurrent, predictive)
Reliability
achievement test
aptitude test
IQ-concepts related to
IQ Tests
Alfred Binet
projective personality tests (Inkblot and TAT)
self reporting personality inventories (MMPI)
standardized tests/standardization
creativity
linguistic relativity hypothesis
telegraphic speech
Fluid intelligence
Emotional intelligence
Crystallized intelligence
Motivation (Chapter 8A) and Emotion (Chapter 8B)
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Three kinds of conflict (Approach/Approach, Approach/Avoidance, Avoidance/Avoidance)
Optimal arousal theory
Drive reduction theory-homeostasis
Incentive theory
Sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems physiological reaction to threat/stress
Yerk-Dodson Law and performance (arousal level and performance)
Schachter Singer two factor theory
Facial feedback theory
self-efficacy
3
Set point theory
homosexuality and genetic influence
Developmental Psychology (Chapter 9)
All of Piaget’s Cognitive Development Concepts/Stages
All of Kohlberg’s concepts/stages of moral development
Carol Gilligan’s moral development concepts
All of Eric Erickson’s psychosocial development stages
Attachment concepts
Harry Harlow’s Study
Habituation
Type A and B Personalities-all related information
Infant reflexes
visual cliff study
Three parenting styles (permissive, authoritative, authoritarian)
primary verses secondary sex characteristics
Imprinting and critical period
Instrumental verses hostile aggression
Chromosomes and sex determination
Personality (Chapter 10)
Trait theory
Defense Mechanisms:
Sublimation
Denial
Repression
Projection
Displacement
Rationalization
Ego, id, super-ego
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