KAMEHAMEHA HIGH SCHOOL
SOCIAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
SCHOOL YEAR 2010-2011
COURSE SUMMARY
ADVANCED PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
INSTRUCTOR: KUMU KAUKA
OVERVIEW
AP Psychology is a one-semester, freshman-level college course that is designed to introduce
students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human
beings and other animals. By the time you complete this course, you should have a firm grasp of
the numerous psychological terms and concepts, notable psychologists and their contributions,
significant studies and the methodology used in psychological research, and the application of
psychological theory within the various subfields of psychology. All students enrolled in this
course are required to take the AP Psychology Exam. The pace of this course is extremely
intense since, as with a typical college introductory psychology class, we cover the material (all
nineteen chapters) in one semester (14 weeks). Fear not, however. The results of past AP
Psychology Exams have demonstrated that our students are more than capable of handling the
challenge (i.e., 96% of last year’s students passed with a 3, 4, or 5 on the exam—half of them
earned a 5). We can and we will excel!
Students will be required to take the National Advanced Placement Exam in Psychology for
obtaining college credit. AP EXAM FEE: $84.00 (approximate) - payable at the beginning of
second semester.
PREREQUISITE
A short discussion with the instructor so that the student becomes aware of the extensive
course requirements and workload in order to make an informed decision about whether or not
he/she is willing to commit the necessary time and effort to succeed in this class. If the student
decides to enroll in the course after this discussion, he/she should pick up the study materials
(e.g., textbook, study guides, and CD) and begin preparing for class.
COURSE MATERIALS
Myers, D. G. (2004). Psychology (7th ed.). New York: Worth Pub.
Straub, R. O. (2004). Study guide to accompany David G. Meyers Psychology, 7th edition.
New York: Worth Pub.
PsychInquiry. Software. New York: Worth Pub.
PsychSim5. Software. New York: Worth Pub.
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
The goals of the course are to:
1. Further stimulate a joy of learning (learning, in general, and learning psychology, in
particular);
2. Increase students’ reading, writing, and critical thinking skills in order to enhance academic
success at the college level and beyond;
3. Foster greater confidence and self-esteem in students by teaching them to set high standards,
to accept nothing less than excellence from themselves, and to establish a persistent desire
and work ethic to achieve excellence;
4. Expose students to the world of scientific psychology so that they have a firm foundation
from which to build their knowledge base through further study in college;
5. Sufficiently prepare students to pass the AP Psychology Exam (scoring a 5, 4, or 3).
Integration of Technology
Kamehameha Schools provides access to many technological tools to enhance the teaching and
learning process such as laptops, online resources, BlackBoard, probes, etc. We support the
integration of technology as a critical component in preparing students to thrive in our global
society. As appropriate to each course, teachers will provide further classroom expectations and
guidelines as to the extent technology (e.g. laptops, websites, BlackBoard, etc) will be utilized
for research, instruction, assessment, and communication purposes.
INSTRUCTOR EXPECTATIONS
To meet the goals of this course, I will:
1. Set the level of expectation (i.e., standards for success on the AP Psychology Exam and in
college);
2. Provide students with sufficient knowledge (through lectures, activities, handouts, and
classroom demonstrations) to insure success in this course, on the AP Psychology Exam, and
in their further educational pursuits in psychology;
3. Provide feedback so that students know which areas they have sufficiently mastered or those
areas in which they need further study.
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
To meet the goals of this class, students are expected to:
1. Study the material for mastery. To do so, you must:
a. Read thoroughly. Don’t be satisfied with letting your eyes simply roam across the words.
Understand what you’re reading. If you did not get the point of section that you just read,
read it again and again until you have thoroughly consumed the lesson. If you’ve never
done this before I challenge you to do so. With persistent practice, you’ll find that your
academic success will be greatly enhanced and, more importantly, you’ll find greater
pleasure in reading.
b. Become an active participant in the learning process.
 Think of examples from your own experiences that relate to what you’re reading or to
what is being covered in class. Share these examples in class discussions to stimulate
greater understanding of the material.
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
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2.
3.
4.
5.
Ask questions whenever you need further clarification of the material.
Take notes in class. Not only does this help you to acquire the material but it also
keeps you physiologically and mentally active.
Come to class prepared. Remind yourself of the objective each day—to excel in all you do
and consume as much knowledge as possible—and come prepared to learn.
Complete assignments on time. All assignments are due at the beginning of class. If you
need to ask about late work, you’re in the wrong class.
Keep track of your progress (KS Connect).
Initiate study help sessions if your grade is less than satisfactory (B- or lower), if you need
further clarification of the content material, and/or if you need help with skill development.
INSTRUCTIONAL FORMAT
Each week we will follow the same format.
1. By Monday, you should have read the chapter (or chapters) that we will cover that week and
have completed the respective study guides. So each Monday, we will maintain the
following procedures:
a. Turn in your completed study guides at the beginning of class.
b. Pick up my lecture notes for the unit. These notes contain additional information to
supplement the text. These notes will also contain various handouts and activities that
you may do on your own. I strongly suggest you do most, if not all, of these activities.
They will benefit you in two ways: first, and most importantly, the activities will enhance
your acquisition of the material, and secondly, the points that you gain from doing these
activities will be added to the objective section of the unit exam.
c. We will also take a short 10-point quiz at the beginning of class.
2. Each Thursday, you need to pick up the objective and free response exams. Both sections are
due at the beginning of class on Friday. The free response section must be typed (single
spaced). Note: It would be preferable to hand these exams out on Friday, but you’ll already
have much to do each weekend preparing for the next unit. Previous students have not found
this format to be a problem. I’m sure that you’ll do fine as well. Oh yes, I realize that take
home exams also open up the possibility to cheat. So I want you to remember this point:
cheaters cheat themselves (particularly in this case). Their cheating ways (and minor
successes) usually lead them to take bigger risks and eventually they get caught (when it
really hurts). More importantly, deep down within them resounds a vast emptiness because,
more than anyone else, they know that they lack the skill and moral fiber to succeed through
scrupulous means. I don’t have to know who cheats, the cheater knows. I trust that each of
you is honorable and will succeed on your own merit. Don’t cheat yourself.
3. Each Friday, you should begin reading the next chapter (or chapters) and completing the
respective study guides.
COURSE CURRICULUM
The course curriculum is based on the AP Psychology Course Description and includes all of
the major content areas that will be covered on the AP Exam.
Content Area
Percentage Goals
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I.
Methods, Approaches, History………………………………….
 Logic, Philosophy, and History of Science
 Approaches
1. Biological
2. Behavioral
3. Cognitive
4. Humanistic
5. Psychodynamic
 Experimental, Correlational, and Clinical Research
 Statistics
1. Descriptive
2. Inferential
 Ethics in Research
7-9%
II.
Biological Bases of Behavior………………………………….
A. Physiological Techniques
B. Neuroanatomy
C. Functional Organization of Nervous System
D. Neural Transmission
E. Endocrine System
F. Genetics
8-10%
III.
Sensation and Perception……………………………………
A. Thresholds
B. Sensory Mechanisms
C. Receptor Processes
D. Sensory Adaptation
E. Attention
F. Perceptual Processes
7-9%
IV.
States of Consciousness………………………………………
A. Sleep and Dreaming
B. Hypnosis
C. Psychoactive Drug Effects
2-4%
V.
Learning……………………………………………………..
A. Biological Factors
B. Classical Conditioning
C. Operant Conditioning
D. Social Learning
E. Cognitive Processes in Learning
7-9%
VI.
Cognition……………………………………………………
A. Memory
B. Language
C. Thinking
D. Problem Solving and Creativity
7-9%
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VII.
Motivation and Emotion…………………………………….
A. Biological Bases
B. Theories of Motivation
C. Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain
D. Social Motives
E. Theories of Emotion
F. Stress
7-9%
VIII.
Developmental Psychology………………………………….
A. Life-Span Approach
B. Research Methods (e.g., longitudinal, cross-sectional)
C. Heredity-Environment Issues
D. Developmental Theories
E. Dimensions of Development
1. Physical
2. Cognitive
3. Social
4. Moral
F. Sex Roles, Sex Differences
7-9%
IX.
Personality……………………………………………………
A. Personality Theories and Approaches
B. Research Methods
C. Assessment Techniques
D. Self-concept, Self-esteem
E. Growth and Adjustment
7-9%
X.
Testing and Individual Differences………………………………
A. Standardization and Norms
B. Reliability and Validity
C. Types of Tests
D. Ethics and Standards in Testing
E. Intelligence
F. Heredity/Environment and Intelligence
G. Human Diversity
5-7%
XI.
Abnormal Psychology………………………………………..
A. Definitions of Abnormality
B. Theories of Psychopathology
C. Diagnosis of Psychopathology
D. Anxiety Disorders
E. Somatoform Disorders
F. Mood Disorders
G. Schizophrenic Disorders
H. Organic Disorders
I. Personality Disorders
7-9%
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J. Dissociative Disorders
XII.
Treatment of Psychological Disorders………………………
A. Treatment Approaches
1. Insight Therapies:
Psychodynamic/Phenomenological Approaches
2. Behavioral Approaches
3. Cognitive Approaches
4. Biological Approaches
B. Modes of Therapy (e.g., individual, group)
C. Community and Preventative Approaches
6-8%
XIII.
Social Psychology……………………………………………
A. Group Dynamics
B. Attribution Processes
C. Interpersonal Perception
D. Conformity, Compliance, Obedience
E. Attitudes and Attitude Change
F. Organizational Behavior
G. Aggression/Antisocial Behavior
7-9%
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Week 1 (January 10-12):
Week 2 (January 16-19):
Week 3 (January 22-26):
Week 4 (January 29-February 2):
Week 5 (February 5-9):
Week 6 (February 12-15):
Week 7 (February 21-23):
Week 8 (February 26-March 2):
Week 9 (March 5-9):
Week 10 (March 12-16):
Week 11 (March 19-23):
Spring Break (March 26-30):
Week 12 (April 2-5):
Week 13 (April 10-13):
Week 14 (April 16-20):
Week 15 (April 23-27):
Week 16-17 (April 30-May 11):
Prologue (The Story of Psychology)
Chapter 1 (Thinking Critically with Psychological Science)
Chapter 2 (Neuroscience and Behavior)
Chapter 3 (The Nature and Nurture of Behavior)
Chapter 4 (The Developing Person)
Chapter 5 (Sensation)
Chapter 6 (Perception)
Chapter 7 (States of Consciousness)
Chapter 10 (Thinking and Language)
Chapter 11 (Intelligence)
Chapter 8 (Learning)
Chapter 9 (Memory)
Quarter Final Review and Exam
Chapter 12 (Motivation and Work)
Chapter 13 (Emotion)
Chapter 14 (Stress and Health)
Chapter 15 (Personality)
Chapter 16 (Psychological Disorders)
Chapter 17 (Therapy)
Chapter 18 (Social Psychology)
Review and Practice AP Exams
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May 15, 2007
AP Psychology Exam
May 22-24, 2007
Quarter Final Exam
GRADING PROCEDURES
3rd Quarter (40% of semester grade)
Exams
Objective exams
40%
Free response exams
20%
Homework packets
20%
Quizzes
10%
Quarter Final Exam
10%
4th Quarter (40% of semester grade)
Exams
Objective exams
40%
Free response exams
20%
Homework packets
20%
Quizzes
10%
Quarter Final Exam
10%
Cumulative Final Exam (Objective + Free Response)
20% of semester grade
A word of caution: Please note that failing to turn in an assignment results in your earning a
zero on that assignment, which could be as much as 58% worse than an F.
The Grading Scale
Letter
Grade
Range in
Percentages
Letter
Grade
Range in
Percentages
A
AB+
B
BC+
93-100%
90-92%
87-89%
83-86%
80-82%
77-79%
C
CD+
D
DF
73-76%
70-72%
67-69%
63-66%
60-62%
0-59%
STUDY HELP
Students are encouraged to initiate study help when, and as often as, desired. I will be happy
to meet with students during my unscheduled periods or during period 9.
EXTRA CREDIT
The operative word here is “extra.” That is, students are expected to expend sufficient time
and energy to prepare for exams and complete the assigned work to achieve an A. Students who
do not expend sufficient effort on the assigned work, do not deserve the opportunity to increase
their class average by doing supplementary work. Therefore, extra credit work is available only
to those who have completed all assignments on time and have consistently met the high quality
standards—that is, students who are achieving an A or B+. Of course, you must initiate the
dialogue.
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