WELCOME to AP Psychology 2011-2012
I am thrilled that you have decided to join this class and chose to challenge yourself with the
fascinating world of psychology! I am sure that you will find this course worthwhile and
personally relevant. As this is a college level course, the reading is essential. I have tried to
minimize the summer reading while maintaining the integrity of the program. Using an
academic discussion board will allow for communications throughout the summer and provide
you with a number of resources. Please read the instructions below carefully, and feel free to
email or call with any questions. I will get back to you as quickly as I can. I look forward to
meeting you all in August!
Lorilyn Worley
cell# 214-202-3217
lorilynw@sbcglobal.net or lorilyn_worley@midlothian-isd.net
AP Psychology Summer Assignment
Your summer assignment has three parts. 2 Required and 1 Optional
Part 1. Due Before School Starts.
Go to NiceNet.org and sign up for the AP Psychology Class. You will need the AP Psych
class key: 8849WEU43. I’ve attached a detailed instruction sheet on how to join the
class and how NiceNet works. Read the 1st topic under conferences and respond as
instructed. I will post one other required topic at the beginning of August. There will
also be optional topics regarding the summer reading under the conferences tab as
well. Be sure to include a current Email address when you register as I will be sending
class updates and other information through NiceNet and email throughout the
summer. We’ll use NiceNet through the summer and school year, but will also be using
Blackboard when school begins.
Part 2. Due 1st Day of School
Purchase and read the book Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain
Science by John Fleischman and answer the attached study guide questions in complete
sentences (preferably typed) The questions are also on NiceNet and you can submit
them online if you prefer.
**buy the book used through Amazon.com or HalfPrice books.You can get it for 2-3
dollars used on Amazon! Or the library has a few copies.
Part 3. Optional
It would be to your advantage to have your own copy of the textbook we will be using
for this class. You can usually get a copy online for about $5 dollars from sites like
Amazon and Abe books. Having your own copy will allow you to highlight and mark in
your text and be able to keep it at home and have the school copy at school. (Thus not
having to bring the book back and forth to class!) I have about 15 copies I have already
gotten that you may purchase from me if you prefer for 5$. Email or call and I can
meet you at school to pick it up, or if there are any left, at the beginning of school. It is
optional, but will make the reading throughout the year much easier. If you plan on
pursuing psychology in college, your marked textbook would make an excellent
resource.
Textbook: Myers, David G. (2001). Psychology (6th ed.). New York: Worth.
The online site for the textbook resources is http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myers6e/
www.nicenet.org will be another one of your primary resources. There are links for every
section as well as handouts and notes. **Be sure to include your email
*Copies of the class syllabus, letters and all handouts are also posted on my website
http://www.midlothian-isd.net/~Lorilyn_Worley/ as well as on Homework online
**Check on NiceNet and my website regularly for updates and new information.
Study Guide
Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science by John Fleischman
Directions: After you read each chapter answer the study guide questions in complete sentences,
preferably typed. Some questions are asking about facts, some ask you summarize, other questions ask
you to make connections or state opinions. Be sure to read each question carefully and answer
appropriately in complete sentences.
Chapter 1 "Horrible Accident in Vermont" (Pp. 1-22)
1. When did Phineas' lucky/unlucky accident happen? (include date, month and year, you get an extra
point for the time of day)
2. Describe the accident that changed Phineas' life.
3. The author asks the reader to think about whether Phineas was lucky or unlucky. The fact that
Phineas' brain injury was an "open brain injury" was lucky in one way, but unlucky in another. Explain
how and why the open nature of the wound was both lucky and unlucky.
4. Why did the railroad contractors decide not to hire Phineas back after his recovery?
5. At this point in your reading, do you think Phineas was lucky or unlucky? Explain your reasons for
thinking so.
Chapter 2 "What we thought about how we thought" (Pp. 23-42)
1. What is "ether" and how has it changed surgery?
2. Make a T-chart or Venn diagram comparing the photo on p.25 with a modern operating room.
3. Which lobe did the tamping rod pass through during Phineas' accident?
4. What is the fundamental unit or main building block of all living things? What is the fundamental
unit of the brain?
5. Approximately how many neurons do the human brain and spinal cord contain all together
6. What is a synapse and what happens in the synapse?
7. Approximately how many synapses does each neuron have? Approximately how many synapses does
a whole human brain have? Is that incredible, or what?
8. Explain what the "Whole Brainer" believed about the human brain. What do you think about their
beliefs?
9. Explain what the "Localizers/Phrenologists" believed about the human brain. What do you think
about their beliefs? Who do you agree with the most, Whole Brainers or Localizers?
10. Explain who was right, the Whole Brainers or the Localizers. Why? (Warning: this is a "trick
question")
Chapter 3 "Following Phineas Gage (Pp. 43-64)
1. What is epilepsy? Describe what an epileptic seizure is.
2. Back in 1860 how did the doctors try to treat Phineas' seizures?
3. How did Phineas die?
4. How old was Phineas when he died?
5. Who was Paul Broca? What is Broca's area?
6. Who was Carl Wernicke? What is Wernicke's area?
7. Would you say Broca and Wernicke are "whole-brainers" or "Localizers?" Explain your answer.
8. Why do you think Dr. Harlow wanted to do an autopsy of Phineas' brain after he died?
9. What did Phineas' doctor mean when he wrote that, "Gage was no longer Gage," after the accident.
Explain how Phineas changed due to the accident. (P. 59)
Chapter 4 "Putting Phineas Together Again" (Pp. 65-75)
1. Who are Antonio and Hanna Damasio?
2. What types of injuries do their patients have? How do they get those injuries?
3. Why do the Damasios measure conductivity with a skin response machine?
4. How did Dr. Hanna Damasio "reconstruct" Phineas' brain to discover exactly what parts of his brain
were destroyed?
5. Write a brief review of the book. Describe the story and the style of the book. What did you think of
it? What did you find most interesting? Would you recommend it to a friend?
If you have questions about any of the assignments please contact me with plenty of time
before the deadline either through NiceNet , my emails lorilynw@sbcglobal.net or
lorilyn_worley@midlothian-isd.net or on my cell# (214)202-3417 . Whether your email,
text or call, please give your name and let me know that you are in the AP Psych class!
AP PSYCHOLOGY
Online Discussion Forum Directions
(NiceNet)
A discussion forum is intended as a place for us to continue and deepen class
discussions, and to address new questions that we are not able to spend time
with in class. We will begin the year with a class site on www.nicenet.org,
with the following expectations in place.
*Note - the instructor reserves the right to alter these expectations as needed.
To set up your account:
o Go online to www.nicenet.org.
o Click on “Join a Class.”
 Class Name: AP Psychology Your Class Key: 8849WEU43
o Set up an account name and password. Please give an email account as
well. Some Class updates may be sent via email through Nicenet as well
as posted on the class site. (If you are already a member, sign in and
simply click join under the class link on the left margin and put in the
class key)
o You are now ready to log in and participate! *Please go to “Edit User
Profile” and select “yes” to “receive a copy of personal messages via email.”
This will allow for me to easily email updates and changes to the class as
a whole if needed.


We will use the following tools:
o “Class Schedule” - This should be the first place you look! It will have
an overview for the week.
o “Conferencing”- This is where topics will be posted directly for
discussion. You will respond to questions and to each other’s postings.
This section will be where you will do most of your communication.
o The topics will already be listed
o When you want to post a message, you need to go to the start of the topic
and click Post Message to ... Then enter the Subject and Message Text; end
and save with Post Message to add the item).
o You will be able to edit it afterwards if you want to.
o To respond to a message previously posted, use the Reply option. Don’t post
a new message if you are just answering someone else’s question or
commenting on their post.
o Test Review Sessions will also be in the conferencing section
o If you are absent, or want a printed copy of any of the topic postings, use
“Print View”
o “Assignments”- Assignments will often be posted on nicenet.org. You
will be expected to submit those assignments to nicenet, using cut and
paste or by simply typing the response/assignment on nicenet.
o “Link Sharing”- I will post important links here for you to review and
discuss. You may also post related and appropriate sites as well as they
relate to the units.
o “Documents”- articles, essays and other information.
o “Private Messages” – This tool is the e-mail facility. Updates and
other changes or important announcements may be sent via email as
well as being posted in class assignments section.
You SHOULD NOT expect that questions or comments will receive an
immediate response or that each comment/question will be answered
individually. Depending on the volume of postings I will read all postings
within a day or two and post responses that may cover a number of
queries/comments.

Discussion forum expectations:
o You will be expected to post at least once every two weeks, with the
“week” beginning on Monday after class and ending Sunday at midnight.
There will be an expected four posts (quiz grades) per grading period.
o All postings must be respectful in tone and content. It is an academic
forum, and academic decorum should be maintained at all times.
Educational discussion forums require are more professional tone than
chat rooms, blogs, or Instant Messaging. Spell words out
COMPLETELY! Write clearly and in complete sentences with
appropriate grammar and language. Disagree with ideas, not people.
Never make a personal comment or deride the person in any way.
Respectful disagreements can create a stimulating exchange of ideas, but
personal comments and attacks anger or embarrass people. NO
DISRPESCTFUL OR INAPPROPRIATE POSTINGS WILL BE
ALLOWED, AND WILL RESULT IN ALL COMPUTER
PRIVELEDGES BEING REVOKED FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL
YEAR.
o During a regular two-week period you will be asked to focus on specified
topics in the “Conferencing” section. You may propose additional topics
that will be added after instructor review. By the end of the year
hopefully, many of the topics will be student generated.
o To fulfill the basic requirement, you must contribute at least two
thoughtful responses to the discussion. Credit will not be given to posts
that merely reiterate the ideas of others, although building on the work
of classmates is encouraged. Postings should further and enhance the
discussion. Please see the attached grading rubric.
A+

The postings meet or exceed all requirements for timeliness and length.
A

The postings are clear. They use proper grammar and an academic tone.

The postings show respect for the topic and for other participants in the discussion.

The author demonstrates that he or she has made an effort to understand assigned
sources (readings, movies, websites, etc.) associated with the topic. Appropriate
examples are used to clarify points.

The postings add depth and original thinking to the discussion. They may build on or
synthesize ideas posted by others. It is clear that the author has read previous
postings on the topic.

The author shows a sophisticated understanding of the question/topic and
demonstrates a willingness to engage with major ideas and concepts.
B+

The postings meet majority of requirements for timeliness and length.
B

The postings are generally well written. They generally use proper grammar and an
academic tone.

The postings show respect for the topic and for other participants in the discussion.

The author has made some effort to understand assigned sources (readings, movies,
websites, etc.) associated with the topic. Examples are used to clarify points.

The postings add some value to the discussion. They may build on or synthesize
ideas posted by others. It is clear that the author has read previous postings on the
topic.

The author shows a broad understanding of the question/topic.
C+

The postings do NOT meet all requirements for timeliness and length.
C

The postings may be poorly written or unclear. They do not use proper grammar or
an academic tone.

The postings show respect for the topic and for other participants in the discussion.

The author has made minimal effort to understand assigned sources (readings,
movies, websites, etc.) associated with the topic.

The postings do not add significantly to the discussion. They may simply reiterate
ideas posted by others, or they may ignore previous posts.

The author shows minimal understanding of the question/topic.

The postings do NOT meet requirements for timeliness and length.

The postings are VERY poorly written or unclear. They do not use proper grammar
or an academic tone.

The postings may be disrespectful towards the topic or other participants in the
discussion. Note that any posting that is disrespectful will automatically fit
in this category, regardless of its other qualities.

The author has made no effort to understand assigned sources (readings, movies,
websites, etc.) associated with the topic.

The postings do not add to the discussion in any significant way.

The author shows little or no understanding of the question/topic
Below C