Instructor: Mrs. Amanda Meyer
Location: F- 207
Email: ameyer@cnusd.k12.ca.us
Phone: (951) 738-2100 ext. 1627
Class Website: http://mrsmeyersclass.webnode.com
Class Facebook Updates: www.facebook.com/mrsmeyersclass
Class Twitter Text Updates: text follow@mrsmeyersclass to number 40404
Course Description: The Advanced Placement Psychology course is a college level course that is taught at an accelerated pace. The
course is designed to introduce students to the fascinating world of psychology. Students will study the psychological facts, principles
and phenomena associated with each of the major sub-fields within psychology. They will also learn about the methods psychologists
use to monitor and evaluate psychological processes. Topics will include research methodology, statistics, personality development
and theories, therapy, developmental psychology, biological bases of behavior, learning, social psychology, sensation, perception,
states of consciousness, memory and other cognitive processes, intelligence and testing, motivation, emotion, mental illness, stress and
diversity. The course also seeks to prepare students to take the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in Psychology,
offered every year in May.
Course Objectives:
Students will:
 develop a greater understanding of the complexity of human behavior and thought processes
 learn about the various tools psychologists use to investigate psychological phenomena and the limitations associated with
each of these methods
 assess the contributions from key research in psychology that has been conducted over the past century
 evaluate the various schools of thought (approaches) employed by psychologists, including the psychodynamic, behavioral,
cognitive, humanistic, biological, and socio-cultural perspectives
 identify the physiological roots of behavior, thinking, and emotion
 explore the dynamics of cognitive processes, in particular memory, judgment, and intelligence
 appreciate the myriad social factors influencing individual behavior and thinking
 investigate maladaptive behavior and thinking and explain the various therapeutic modalities psychologists use to remedy
such behavior and thinking
 value the connection between psychology and other disciplines
 apply psychology to everyday phenomena and human interactions
Course Materials:
Course Textbook: Psychology, 8th ed. by Dr. David Myers. New York: Worth Publishers, 2007
Study Guide: Psychology 7th ed. Richard O. Straub. New York: Worth Publishers, 2004
Supplemental: Prep-U Online Quizzing- http://www.study.prep-u.com/Products/AP_PSYCHOLOGY/
Supplemental: Barron’s “How to Prepare for the AP Psychology Exam” by Robert McEntarffer and Allyson Weseley. Barron’s
Educational Series 320pp.
Required Materials: You will be required to bring the following to class everyday:
 2” Binder with tabs to keep assignments organized.
 Bound composition notebook
 Loose-leaf paper and plain white computer paper.
 Writing utensils (pen and pencil).
 Textbook.
Grading Policy: The student’s grade is calculated by a points system. Students will receive points for their completion and
achievement on assignments, projects, presentations, quizzes, tests, essays, and final exam. Each is worth approximately the following
percentages of the semester grade:
Homework and In-Class work……………………………………………..15%
Quizzes and Tests………………………………………………..…………40%
Projects, Presentations, Essays……………………………………………..30%
Final Exam………….……………………………………………………...15%
Grade Scale:
A: 90%-100% B: 80%-89% C: 70%-79% D: 60%-69% F: 59% and below
Course Outline: The following describes the direction the course will take and the approximate percentage of questions on the
AP test as it pertains to each unit within the course. The entire course will be divided into 14 units, each with its own learning
objectives and expectations.
1.Introduction to psychology, its history, and approaches (2-4%)
Defining psychology and how is it used today
Founding figures of psychology
Contemporary approaches to psychology
2.Research Methods (6-8%)
The science of psychology
Methodology
Describing and Interpreting data
Correlational Studies
Experimentation
Statistical Significance
Ethics
3.Biological Bases of Behavior (8-10%)
Neural Transmission
Nervous System
Endocrine System
Evolutionary Psychology
Behavior Genetics
The Brain and Spinal Cord
4.Sensation and Perception (6-8%)
The Senses and their functions
Sensory Adaptation, Thresholds, and Theories
Attention
Perceptual Processes
5.States of Consciousness (2-4%)
Sleep and Dreams
Hypnosis
Psychoactive Drug Effects
Drug Abuse, Dependence, Withdrawal
Types of drugs (opiates, psychedelic, depressants, stimulants)
6.Developmental Psychology (6-8%)
Genetics vs. Environment (nature v nurture)
Developmental Theories
Dimensions of Development
Sexual
Gender Roles
7.Learning (7-9%)
Classical Conditioning
UCS, UCR, CS, CR
Pavlov
Operant Conditioning
Observational Learning
Social Learning
8.Cognition (8-10%)
Memory
Encoding, Storage, Retrieval
Sensory, Short term, Long term
Explicit vs Implicit
Forgetting
Language
Phonemes, Morphemes, words, syntax
Language development
Acquisition theories (Skinner vs Chomsky)
Thinking, Problem Solving, and Creativity
9.Motivation and Emotion (6-8%)
Biological Bases
Theories of Motivation
Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain
Theories of Emotion
Stress
10.Personality (5-7%)
Personality theories and approaches
Psychoanalytic
Humanistic
Traits
Social-Cognitive
Assessment Techniques
Subjective vs Objective
11.Intelligence, Testing, and Individual Differences (5-7%)
Types of Intelligence
Standardization and Norms
Types of Tests
Reliability and Validity
Ethical issues in assessment
12.Abnormal Psychology (7-9%)
Defining Abnormality and Psychological Disorders
Causal Perspectives (biological, social-cognitive)
Mental Illness and Types of Disorders
Anxiety and Mood
Schizophrenic
Personality and Character
Dissociative
Diagnosis of Psychopathology
13.Treatment of Psychological Disorders (5-7%)
Treatment Approaches
Psychodynamic
Humanistic
Behavioral
Cognitive
Biological
Modes of Therapy
Biomedical Treatment
14.Social Psychology (8-10%)
Attribution Process and Theories
Conformity, Obedience, and Compliance
Group Influence
Cultural Influence
Attitude and Attitude Change
Aggression
Prosocial vs Antisocial Behaviors
Social Inequalities (prejudice, stereotyping, scapegoating,
discrimination)
Persuasion
Classroom Rules and Expectations
1. ALL school rules apply in class. This includes the dress code, the restriction on electronic devices (i.e. ipods, headphones, and
cell phones, the tardy policy, etc.)
2. Be prepared both mentally and physically
3. Be on time to class
4. Follow instructions the first time
5. Complete work in an organized and timely fashion
6. Treat everyone with respect and tolerance
7. Never cheat or plagiarize
8. No food or drinks allowed (except water)
Throughout the year, the course will cover numerous topics and various assignments. The layout for AP Psychology units are as follows:
1. Daily Notes and Assignments
2. Quizzes
3. Study Guides
4. Projects
5. Unit Test/Final
Daily Notes and Assignments
Class assignments will begin when the bell rings and students will be expected to complete all assigned work. There will be a Bell Ringer activity to
start the period and various assignments throughout class sessions including PowerPoint Presentations, reading activities, simulations, video clips,
and use of computers. Students will complete some assignments in class, however, they will be required to complete readings and assignments
outside of class in the time allotted. There will be NO late work accepted in this class. (No Exceptions!)
Quizzes, Study Guides, and Tests
Students will have brief quizzes at any given time throughout the course of a unit.
Study Guides will be given for EVERY unit test- the day before the test date. Students will also participate in review games and activities to prepare
for each test.Unit test dates will be given at the start of each unit and students will be required to complete the test even if they are absent the day the
study guide is given.
Projects
There will be projects assigned for some units throughout the year. These projects will be used as valuable assessments of the course and incorporate
standards based content to ensure student comprehension of the material. It is very important that students start their projects as soon as they are
assigned. They can become challenging if done at the last minute.
Videos
This course covers a wide range of topics and videos have become a great tool to implement as an alternative resource. I have included a list of a
psychology based videos that will be shown in clips, sections, or full length through the course. The video ratings range from PG-R. If you don’t
feel comfortable having your child view these types of resources please let me know and we can have them participate in an alternate assignment.
The Secret Life of the Brain video series
Scientific American Frontiers with Alan Alda
Discovering Psychology
A Beautiful Mind- Treatment, Schizophrenia,
Dexter- Personality
Alive-Biological, Social
Analyze This- Treatment, Anxiety Disorder
As Good As it Gets- OCD, Personality
Awakenings- Neuropsychology, Treatment
Black Swan- OCD, Personality, Paranoia
Crash- Social, Moral Development, Marital/Family
Dynamics
Dead Poets’ Society-Developmental, Social
Gattica-Biological, Moral Development
Little Miss Sunshine-Mood Disorders,
Developmental, Marital/Family Dynamics,
Memento- Neuropsychology
Philadelphia-Social
Rain Man- Neuropsychology, Marital/Family
The Breakfast Club- Developmental, Social
Antwone Fisher-Treatment, Stress Coping
The Aviator- OCD
Pursuit of Happiness- Positive Psychology
Kiss the Girls-Forensic
Silence of the Lambs-Forensic, Personality
Three Faces of Eve- Dissociative, Treatment
Girl, Interrupted- Mood Disorders
Good Will Hunting-Treatment, Personality
Shallow Hal-Positive psychology, Social
Students/Parents/Guardians: Please complete the below information confirming your son/daughter provided my classroom rules and expectations for you to read. Your
signature on this sheet clearly demonstrates that you are fully aware and understand the class policies, rules, and expectations.
Return this sheet only with instructions on the easiest way to contact you in the event it is necessary.
Student name:__________________________________________________________ Signature:________________________________________ Date:_______________
Student Email (please print clearly):
Parent/Legal Guardian:
Print Name:_____________________________________________________________ Signature:________________________________________ Date:______________
Email (please print clearly):
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