Advanced Placement Psychology
Brief Course Description
Psychology Course Description
The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the scientific investigation of
behavior and mental processes in humans and other animals. The course includes an
introduction to basic research methods, the relationship between biology and behavior,
how conditioning, learning and cognition affect behavior, how interaction with others
influences thought, feelings, perceptions, and behaviors, and an understanding of human
differences, including strategies for coping when those differences create dysfunction.
Course Essential Questions
1.
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3.
4.
How do psychologists investigate the relationship between biology and behavior?
How do humans think, learn and solve problems?
How does society and culture influence our thinking and behavior?
How do we develop into unique individuals?
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Discipline Specific Vocabulary
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Attitude
Behavior
Cognition
Conformity
Consciousness
Correlation
Development
Ego
Emotion
Ethics
Evolution
Gestalt
Intelligence
Learning
Memory
Mental illness
Motivation
Nature vs. nurture
Nervous System
Personality
Perception
Psychotherapy
Psychoactive drugs
Psychological disorder
Research-descriptive and experimental
Sample
Schema
Sensation
Social-cultural
Theory
Advanced Placement Psychology
Units
I. History, Perspectives and Research Methods
Unit Essential Questions:


How did the discipline of psychology evolve into the scientific study of behavior and mental processes?
What methods do psychologists use to investigate behavior and mental processes?
Unit Vocabulary:
Behaviorist Perspective
Biological Perspective
Causation
Cognitive Perspective
Confederate
Control Group
Correlational Research
Dependent Variable
Double Blind Technique
Experimental Group
Experimental Method
Experimenter Bias
Halo Effect
Hawthorne Effect
Humanistic Perspective
Independent Variable
Laboratory Observation
Longitudinal v Cross-Sectional Studies
Naturalistic Observation
Observer Bias
Placebo
Psychodynamic Perspective
Random Sample
Subject/ Responder Bias
Survey Method
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How did psychology evolve as a unique discipline, beginning with prescientific thinking?
What are views of the major perspectives in psychology?
What areas of research and careers are psychologists working in?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of major research methods in psychology?
How are statistics used to support psychological research?
What constitutes ethical research in psychology?
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
Activities:
a. Design an experiment using assigned components
b. Create a strengths and weaknesses chart for various research methods
c. Create a timeline for major milestones in the history of psychology
d. Form ethics committees to evaluate hypothetical or actual historical research projects
e. Design and distribute a survey and compile data
f. Conduct a correlational study and compile data
g. Create psychological VIP’s trading cards
R1/R10
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New York, NY:
Worth Publishers.
Objective 23: Why Do Psychologists Study Animals? (pp
46-48)
W1
W2
•
Discuss the precise claims of the
author and the opposing claims
presented in the article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details,
and examples.
Milgram’s Obedience StudyMcLeod, S. A. (2007). Milgram Experiment. Retrieved
from http://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html
•
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses
of the author’s claims and opposing
claims.
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
assigned topic.
If Hitler asked you to electrocute a stranger, would you?
http://www.simplypsychology.org/Milgram%20%20Obedience.pdf
•
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s
argument.
•
Provide a concluding statement or
section that follows from and supports
the information presented.
APA. (2011). Guidelines for ethical conduct in the care
and use of animals. Retrieved from
http://www.apa.org/science/leadership/care/guidelines.aspx
Video: “The Placebo Effect: Mind/Body Relationship”.
The Mind: Teaching Modules.
http://www.learner.org/resources/series150.html
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering
psychology: Past, Presence and Promise [Web]. Retrieved
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
from http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering
psychology: Understanding Research [Web]. Retrieved
from http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Sample Questions:
1.
The first psychology laboratory was established in ________ by ________.
A)
Russia; Ivan Pavlov
B)
Austria; Sigmund Freud
C)
Germany; Wilhelm Wundt
D)
the United States; William James
2.
In an experimental study, men with symptoms of impotence received either Viagra or a placebo. Those who received Viagra participated in the
________ condition.
A)
correlational
B)
control
C)
survey
D)
experimental
3.
Which psychological perspective is most likely to be concerned with identifying the powers and the limits of human reasoning?
A)
cognitive
B)
behavioral
C)
neuroscience
D)
social-cultural
E)
behavior genetics
II. Biology
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
Understand the relationship between biology and behavior.
Essential Question:

How do brain chemistry and structure influence behavior?
Unit Vocabulary
Aphasia
Axon
Brain Imaging Techniques
Brainstem
Cerebral Cortex
CNS
Corpus Callosum
Dendrites
Endocrine System
Frontal Lobe
Glands
Hormones
Interneurons
Limbic System
Motor Neuron
Myelin Sheath
Neuron
Neurotransmitters
Occipital Lobe
Parietal Lobe
Plasticity
PNS
Reflex Arc
Sensory Neuron
Split Brain
Synapse
Temporal Lobe
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How do neurons communicate?
How is the nervous system organized?
What are the locations and functions of the major brain parts?
What tools do psychologists use to investigate the brain?
What does split-brain research tell us about hemispheric specialization?
What are the roles of endocrine system and hormones in behavior?
Activities:
a. Create a brain diagram or brain mobile
b. Conduct a class demonstration of the nervous system by holding hands to send signals
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
c.
d.
e.
f.
Watch baby/teen brain videos – PBS
Create a Play-Doh Brain
Perform neurotransmitter skits
Watch Phineas Gage Video Clip or read an article about his story
R1/R10
W1
W2
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New York, NY: Worth
Publishers.
Phineas Gage Case Study (Association Areas pp79-80)
•
Discuss the precise claims of the
author and the opposing claims
presented in the article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts,
details, and examples.
“MORE EXPERIENCE = BIGGER BRAIN?”
http://www.edmondschools.net/Portals/3/docs/Terri_McGill/READMORE%20EXPERIENCE.pdf
•
Discuss the strengths and
weaknesses of the author’s claims
and opposing claims.
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
assigned topic.
•
Provide a concluding statement
that supports or rejects the
author’s argument.
•
Provide a concluding statement or
section that follows from and
supports the information
presented.
Williamson, E. (2005, February 1). Brain Immaturity Could Explain
Teen Crash Rate (washingtonpost.com). Washington Post: Breaking
News, World, US, DC News & Analysis.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A526872005Jan31.html
Video: Nova’s “Secrets of the Mind”- 60min
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/mind/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYy4afIWtug
Video: PBS The Secret Life of the Brain Series: The Teenage Brain
(Episode 3)
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/brain/episode3/index.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9Nukdgd_pQ
Video: PBS Frontline Inside the Teenage Brain
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/view/
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
Video: The Divided Brain”. The Brain: Teaching Modules.
http://www.learner.org/resources/series142.html
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering psychology:
The Behaving Brain [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering psychology:
The Responsive Brain [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Sample Questions:
1.The two major divisions of the nervous system are the central and the ________ nervous systems.
A) autonomic
B) sympathetic
C) parasympathetic
D) peripheral
2. The corpus callosum is a band of neural fibers that:
A) enables the left hemisphere to control the right side of the body.
B) transmits information between the cerebral hemispheres.
C) controls the glands and muscles of the internal organs.
D) directs the muscle movements involved in speech.
3.Which component of the limbic system plays an essential role in the formation of new memories?
A) hypothalamus
B) thalamus
C) hippocampus
D) amygdala
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
III. Sensation and Perception
Essential Questions:


How do our sensory organs get information to the brain?
How does our brain organize and interpret sensory information?
Unit Vocabulary
Absolute Threshold
Bottom-Up Processing
Cochlea
Cones
Convergence
Frequency Theory
Gate Control Theory
Gestalt
Just Noticeable Difference
Kinesthetic Sense
Monocular Depth Cues
Place Theory
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1. How do humans detect, differentiate and adapt to stimuli?
2. What are the locations and functions of the major ear and eye parts?
3. How are taste and touch processed?
4. What is the biological basis for sensory disorders?
5. How is human attention limited?
6. How do humans perceive depth, form, motion and color?
7. What do optical illusions tell us about human perception?
8. What bases exist for paranormal phenomena?
Activities:
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Retina
Retinal Disparity
Rods
Selective Attention
Sensory Adaptation
Signal Detection Theory
Top-Down Processing
Transduction
Trichromatic Theory of Color Vision
Vestibular Sense
Weber’s Law
Young-Helmoltz Theory of Color Vision
Advanced Placement Psychology
a. Create an ear/diagram
b. Conduct one of several possible taste/smell labs
c. Back-masking and subliminal messaging (Vokey and Read)
d. View Inattentional Blindness Gorilla Video (Simon)
e. Conduct the Rat/Man Experiment (Bugalski and Alampay)
f. Recreate the Stroop Effect Experiment
g. Play catch using only one eye (monocular vs. binocular cues)
R1/R10
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New
York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Objective 16: Human Factors (Association Areas
pp 261-263)
Lotto, B. (2010, October 17). BBC News - The
science of optical illusions. BBC - Homepage.
Retrieved June 25, 2012, from
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11553099.
Bad Designs (website with poor human factors
considerations and solutions for improvement)
http://www.baddesigns.com/
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001).
Discovering psychology: Sensation and Perception
[Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Sample Questions:
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
W1
W2
•
Discuss the precise claims of the author
and the opposing claims presented in the
article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details, and
examples.
•
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of
the author’s claims and opposing claims.
•
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
assigned topic.
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s argument.
•
Provide a concluding statement or section
that follows from and supports the
information presented.
Advanced Placement Psychology
1. The minimum amount of stimulation a person needs to detect a stimulus 50 percent of the time is called the:
A) sensory adaptation threshold.
B) difference threshold.
C) subliminal threshold.
D) absolute threshold.
2. A gestalt is best described as a(n):
A) binocular cue.
B) texture gradient.
C) perceptual adaptation.
D) organized whole.
E) perceptual set.
3.The visual cliff is a laboratory device for testing ________ in infants.
A) size constancy
B) selective attention
C) depth perception
D) perceptual adaptation
E) figure-ground perception
IV. States of Consciousness
Essential Question:

How do humans experience various levels of consciousness?
Unit Vocabulary
Circadian Rhythm
Depressants
Dissociation
EEG
Hallucinogens
Hidden Observer
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Hypnosis
Information Processing Dream Theory
Insomnia
Latent Content
Lucid Dreaming
Manifest Content
Advanced Placement Psychology
Narcolepsy
Night Terrors
Physical Dependence
Posthypnotic Amnesia
Posthypnotic Suggestion
Psychological Dependence
REM Rebound
REM Sleep
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Spindles
Sleep Stages
Somnambulism
Stimulants
Unconscious Mind
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What is consciousness and how is it different that unconsciousness?
What are the major biorhythms and what are the characteristics of the sleep cycle?
What are the causes, symptoms and treatments of major sleep disorders?
How is each of the major dream theories unique?
What is hypnosis and how can it be explained?
What differences exist between drug categories and what constitutes physical dependence?
Activities:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Keep a log of sleep habits and dreams
Use the “Mouse Party” site (University of Utah)
Participate in a debate on drug legality, argue for or against certain drugs
Class presentations on psychoactive drugs
R1/R10
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New
York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Dream Theories (Objectives 9 & 10 285-289)
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001).
Discovering psychology: The Mind Awake and
Asleep [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
W1
W2
•
Discuss the precise claims of the author
and the opposing claims presented in the
article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details, and
examples.
•
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of
the author’s claims and opposing claims.
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
Advanced Placement Psychology
•
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001).
Discovering psychology: The Mind Hidden and
Divided [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s argument.
assigned topic.
•
Provide a concluding statement or section
that follows from and supports the
information presented.
Sample Questions:
1.Mr. Oates always sleeps restlessly, snorting and gasping throughout the night. It is most likely that Mr. Oates suffers from:
A) sleep apnea.
B) narcolepsy.
C) night terror.
D) insomnia.
2. When Celeste was unable to obtain her regular supply of heroin, she began to develop tremors, fever, and an intense craving for the drug. Celeste was experiencing
symptoms of:
A) narcolepsy.
B) dissociation.
C) insomnia.
D) withdrawal.
3. The social influence theory of hypnosis receives support from evidence that:
A) behaviors produced through hypnotic procedures can also be produced without them.
B) hypnotized subjects have a hidden observer.
C) easily hypnotized individuals have difficulty focusing attention on their own thoughts and feelings.
D) very few people are at all responsive to hypnotic suggestions.
V. Learning
Essential Questions:
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology

How do environmental consequences shape behavior?
Unit Vocabulary
Acquisition
Associative Learning
Classical Conditioning
Cognitive Maps
CR Conditioned Response
CS Conditioned Stimulus
Extinction
FI Fixed Interval
FR Fixed Ratio
Law of Effect
Little Albert
Modeling
Negative Reinforcement
Observational Learning
Operant Chamber (Skinner Box)
Operant Conditioning
Positive Reinforcement
Punishment
Schedules of Reinforcement
Shaping
UR Unconditioned Response
US Unconditioned Stimulus
VI Variable Interval
VR Variable Ratio
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1. How did behaviorism emerge and what made it different from its predecessors?
2. What are the key classical conditioning phenomena?
3. What are the key operant conditioning phenomena?
4. How do reinforcements and punishments affect behavior?
5. How do various schedules of reinforcement shape behavior?
6. How do biological predispositions constrain classical and operant conditioning?
7. What evidence exists for learning without reinforcement?
8. How does research on observational learning explain anti-social behavior?
Activities:
a. Fun Dip or Straw puff to eye classical conditioning
b. View Volkswagen Fun Theory videos on Operant conditioning
c. Brainstorm various student examples for different schedules of reinforcement
R1/R10
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
W1
W2
Advanced Placement Psychology
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New York,
NY: Worth Publishers.
Bandura’s Experiments and Observational Learning
(Objective 22-24: 343-346)
Childhood Exposure To Media Violence Predicts
Young Adult Aggressive Behavior, According To A
New 15-Year Study. (2003, March 9). American
Psychological Association (APA).
http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2003/03/mediaviolence.aspx
•
Discuss the precise claims of the author
and the opposing claims presented in the
article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details,
and examples.
•
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of
the author’s claims and opposing claims.
•
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
assigned topic.
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s
argument.
•
Provide a concluding statement or
section that follows from and supports
the information presented.
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering
psychology: Learning [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Sample Questions:
1.John B. Watson believed that psychology should be the science of:
A) observable behavior.
B) cognitive processes.
C) genetic predispositions.
D) all the above.
2.An event that increases the frequency of the behavior that it follows is a(n):
A) conditioned stimulus.
B) respondent.
C) unconditioned stimulus.
D) reinforcer.
E) operant.
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
3.In Pavlov's experiments, the dog's salivation triggered by the taste of food was a(n):
A) conditioned response.
B) unconditioned response.
C) unconditioned stimulus.
D) conditioned stimulus.
VI.
Cognition
Essential Question

How do organisms remember, think, solve problems and communicate?
Unit Vocabulary
Algorithm
Chunking
Constructive Memory
Encoding
Episodic Memory
Functional Fixedness
Heuristic
Interference
Language Acquisition Device
Linguistic Determinism
Long Term Memory
Mental Set
Mnemonic
Morpheme
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
How do we get information into and out of memory?
How are different types of memory distinct?
How can we improve our memory?
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Phoneme
Recall
Recognition
Rehearsal
Retrieval
Schema
Semantic Memory
Serial Position Effect
Sensory Memory
Short Term Memory
Storage
Long Term Memory
Surface & Deep Structure
Advanced Placement Psychology
4.
5.
6.
Why do we forget and how are memories reconstructed?
How do we solve problems, make decisions and form judgements?
How do we acquire and develop language?
Activities
a. Solve brain teasers, any kind! Discuss methods used, barriers to solving etc.
b. Memorize a long list using peg words (perhaps Erikson’s Stages of Development?)
c. Conduct a serial position or forgetting memory experiment and graph results
d. Short term memory test
e. Watch a video on or recreate the Loftus experiment
R1/R10
W1
W2
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New York, NY: Worth
Publishers.
Constructive Memory (pp 382-384)
•
Discuss the precise claims of the
author and the opposing claims
presented in the article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts,
details, and examples.
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New York, NY: Worth
Publishers.
Explaining Language Development (pp 413-417)
•
Discuss the strengths and
weaknesses of the author’s
claims and opposing claims.
•
Use precise language,
psychology vocabulary when
writing about the assigned topic.
•
Provide a concluding statement
that supports or rejects the
author’s argument.
•
Provide a concluding statement
or section that follows from and
supports the information
presented.
Kenrick, D. T., & Shira, I. (2009, April 16). Mass Murder is Nothing
to Fear | Psychology Today. Psychology Today: Health, Help,
Happiness + Find a Therapist.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-narcissus-in-allus/200903/mass-murder-is-nothing-fear
Secret of the Wild Child
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/teachers/programs/2112_wildchil.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEnkY2iaKis
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering psychology:
Language Development [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering psychology:
Remembering and Forgetting [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering psychology:
Cognitive Processes [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering psychology:
Judgement and Decision Making [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Sample Questions:
1. On Monday, the meteorologist forecast a 20 percent chance of rain, so Sheryl took her umbrella to work. On Friday, he reported an 80 percent chance that
it would not rain, so Sheryl left her umbrella at home. Sheryl's behavior illustrates:
A) confirmation bias.
B) the belief perseverance phenomenon.
C) overconfidence.
D) the representativeness heuristic.
E) the framing effect.
2.A flashbulb memory would typically be stored in ________ memory.
A) iconic
B) implicit
C) short-term
D) state-dependent
E) long-term
3. The process of encoding refers to:
A) the persistence of learning over time.
B) the recall of information previously learned.
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
C) getting information into memory.
D) the motivated forgetting of painful memories.
E) a clear memory of an emotionally significant event.
VII.
Motivation and Emotion
Essential Questions:


What drives human and animal behavior?
How do we experience various emotions?
Unit Vocabulary
Cannon-Bard Theory
Drive
Drive-Reduction Theory
Epinephrine (Adrenaline)
Extrinsic Motivation
Facial Feedback Theory
General Adaptation Syndrome
Ghrelin
Glucose
Hierarchy of Needs
Homeostasis
Hypothalamus
Intrinsic Motivation
James-Lange Theory
Motivation
PYY
Set Point Theory
Two-Factor Theory
Universal Facial Gestures
Yerkes-Dodson Law
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of major theories of human and animal motivation?
What biological underpinnings exist for motivation?
How does research support major motivation systems?
What are the major theories of emotion and how are they alike and different?
What are the psychological and physical effects of stress?
Activities:
a. Perform nonverbal skits to demonstrate various emotions. Discuss cues (Ekman or Izard)
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
b.
c.
d.
Make posters showing scenarios outlining major theories of emotion
Create a personal hierarchy of needs (Maslow)
Brainstorm stressors and coping mechanisms. Try to outweigh stressors with coping!
R1/R10
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New York, NY:
Worth Publishers.
Sexual Orientation (Objective 14: 487-493)
Ruenzel, D. (Spring 2000). BrainConnection.com - Why
Zebras Don't Get Ulcers. BrainConnection: The Brain and
Learning.
http://brainconnection.positscience.com/topics/?main=fa/zebras
Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering psychology:
Motivation and Emotion [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Sample Questions:
1.Hunger controls are located within the:
A) hypothalamus.
B) medulla.
C) temporal lobe.
D) amygdala.
E) hippocampus.
2.Intrinsic motivation refers to:
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
W1
W2
•
Discuss the precise claims of the
author and the opposing claims
presented in the article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details,
and examples.
•
Discuss the strengths and
weaknesses of the author’s claims
and opposing claims.
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
assigned topic.
•
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s
argument.
•
Provide a concluding statement or
section that follows from and
supports the information presented.
Advanced Placement Psychology
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
the body's tendency to maintain a constant internal state.
a physiological need that triggers arousal.
a state of arousal triggered by physiological need.
a rigidly patterned behavioral urge characteristic of an entire species.
a desire to perform a behavior for its own sake.
3. Noticing that his heart was pounding and that his palms were sweaty while he was taking a difficult test, Pedro concluded that he was "anxious." Noticing that
his heart was pounding and that his palms were sweaty when an attractive lady asked him to dance, Dmitri concluded that he was "falling in love." The
differing emotions experienced by Pedro and Dmitri can best be explained by the:
A) relative deprivation principle.
B) James-Lange theory.
C) two-factor theory.
D) opponent-process theory.
E) adaptation-level principle.
VIII.
Developmental Psychology
Essential; Question:

What changes take place during the human lifespan, from conception to death?
Unit Vocabulary
Accomodation
Assimilation
Attachment
Cognitive Stage Theory
Conservation
Crystallized Intelligence
Egocentrism
Fluid Intelligence
Habituation
Heritability
Imprinting
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Menarche
Menopause
Moral Development
Object Permanence
Parenting Styles
Psychosexual Stages
Psychosocial Stages
Puberty
Stages of Death/ Dying
Storm and Stress
Strange Situation
Advanced Placement Psychology
Teratogen
Visual Cliff
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
What roles do nature and nurture play in our behavior?
What physical and behavioral changes take place between conception and early childhood?
What role does maturation play in development?
What changes do we experience as we progress through stages in cognitive, moral and psychosocial development?
How do we change physically and cognitively from adulthood to death?
What research methods do psychologists use to study development and what are the strengths and weaknesses of each?
Activities:
a. For stage theories of development try: childhood pictures to demonstrate stages, cartoons for each stage, collages, graphic organizers, student
autobiographies etc.
b. Read; respond to the Heinz Dilemma (Kohlberg). As a follow up, students could create their own moral dilemma, or create a justification for
each level
c. Perform parenting styles skits (Baumrind)
R1/R10
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New York, NY:
Worth Publishers.
Developing Morality-Kohlberg’s Theory (Objective 20: 168170)
McCarthy, H. (2007, October 25). Failure to Thrive - Failure to
thrive shares symptoms with a number of other postinstitutional issues. RainbowKids.com Adoption Information,
Support, Child Photolistings, Articles and Resources.
http://www.rainbowkids.com/ExpertArticleDetails.aspx?id=277
McLeod, S.A. (2008) Attachment Research -Ainsworth’s
Strange Situation Study
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
W1
W2
•
Discuss the precise claims of the
author and the opposing claims
presented in the article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details,
and examples.
•
Discuss the strengths and
weaknesses of the author’s claims
and opposing claims.
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
assigned topic.
•
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s
argument.
•
Provide a concluding statement or
section that follows from and
supports the information presented.
Advanced Placement Psychology
http://www.simplypsychology.org/mary-ainsworth.html
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001). Discovering
psychology: The Developing Child [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Sample Questions:
1.Gender role refers to;
A) one's biological sex.
B) the sense of being male or female.
C) the set of expected behaviors for males and females.
D) the sense of being homosexual or heterosexual.
E) how masculine a boy is or how feminine a girl is.
2.During which of Piaget's stages does a person develop an awareness that things continue to exist even when they are not perceived?
A) sensorimotor
B) preoperational
C) concrete operational
D) formal operational
3.Mr. Lambers refuses to pay income taxes because his conscience will not allow him to support a government that spends billions of dollars on military
weapons. Mr. Lambers's reasoning best illustrates Kohlberg's ________ stage.
A)
postconventional
B)
concrete operational
C)
preconventional
D)
egocentric
E)
conventional
IX.
Personality
Unit Essential Question

How do various psychological perspectives explain our personality differences?
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
Unit Vocabulary
Collective Unconscious
Defense Mechanisms
Ego
Extraversion
Hierarchy of Needs
Id
Introversion
Learned Helplessness
Locus of Control
MMPI
Neo Freudians
Self Actualization
Self Concept
Self-Esteem
Social Cognitive Perspective
Superego
Trait Theories
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What are major theories of personality and how are they alike and different?
What are the strengths and limitations of each perspective on personality?
How do psychologists from various perspectives assess personality and how reliable and valid are these assessments?
How does cultural context, in terms of collectivism versus individualism, influence personality development and self-concept?
Activities:
a. Psychoanalyze a celebrity, especially one with an unusual childhood (Charlie Sheen, Michael Jackson, Brittany Spears)
b. Perform defense mechanism skits or create scenarios for each
c. Take the Myers-Briggs test or the Keirsey Temperament Sorter or some other personality test
R1/R10
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New
York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Close Up: Toward a More Positive Psychology
(p628)
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001).
Discovering psychology: The Self [Web].
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
W1
W2
•
Discuss the precise claims of the author
and the opposing claims presented in the
article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details, and
examples.
•
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
Advanced Placement Psychology
the author’s claims and opposing claims.
Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
•
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s argument.
Sample Questions:
1.
One of the Big Five personality factors is:
A) reciprocal determinism.
B) self-actualization.
C) agreeableness.
D) psychoanalysis.
2.
Humanistic psychology has been most closely associated with an emphasis on the importance of:
A) empirically derived tests.
B) reciprocal determinism.
C) a positive self-concept.
D) an external locus of control.
3. 3. Sigmund Freud emphasized the importance of:
A) unconscious processes.
B) an external locus of control.
C) factor analysis.
D) reciprocal determinism.
X.
Testing and Individual Differences
Unit Essential Questions:


What factors make us unique individuals?
What defines intelligence and how is it measured?
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
assigned topic.
•
Provide a concluding statement or section
that follows from and supports the
information presented.
Advanced Placement Psychology
Unit Vocabulary
Creativity
Emotional Intelligence
Flynn Effect
General Intelligence (G)
IQ
Multiple Intelligences
Normal Curve
Reliability
Rorschach Test
Savant Syndrome
Standardization
Stanford-Binet Intelligence Test
Thematic Apperception Test
Validity
WAIS/WISC
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is intelligence and what similarities and differences exist between the major theories of intelligence?
What constitutes a quality test?
What labels exist as a result of intelligence testing and what are their implications?
What roles do nature and nurture play in intelligence?
Activities:
a. Take Australian/American vs. Aboriginal Intelligence tests
b. Create examples of intelligence for major theories. Use fictional characters, historical figures, family members etc.
c. Brainstorm the questions “What is intelligence?” or “what different types of intelligence exist?”
d. Take an IQ test or Type A/Type B test at queendom.com
R1/R10
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New
York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Genetic Influences and Environmental Influences
(Obj 15&16 pp455-459)
The General Intelligence Factor
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
W1
W2
•
Discuss the precise claims of the author
and the opposing claims presented in the
article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details, and
examples.
•
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of
•
Use precise language, psychology
Advanced Placement Psychology
http://www.psych.utoronto.ca/users/reingold/course
s/intelligence/cache/1198gottfred.html
Slife, B. D. (2008). Taking sides: Clashing views
on psychological issues (15th ed.). Boston:
McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
the author’s claims and opposing claims.
•
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s argument.
vocabulary when writing about the
assigned topic.
•
Provide a concluding statement or section
that follows from and supports the
information presented.
A Multiplicity of Intelligences
http://llk.media.mit.edu/courses/readings/gardnermultiple-intelligences.pdf
The General Intelligence Factor
http://www.psych.utoronto.ca/users/reingold/course
s/intelligence/cache/1198gottfred.html
Videocassette: Discovering Psychology, Updated
Edition: Testing and Intelligence (Annenberg/CPB
Project, 27 minutes) Also available here:
http://www.learner.org/series/discoveringpsycholog
y/16/e16expand.html
Video: Big Thinkers: Howard Gardner on Multiple
Intelligences
http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligenceshoward-gardner-video
Sample Questions:
1. An 8-year-old who responded to the original Stanford-Binet with the proficiency of an average 10-year-old was said to have an IQ of:
A) 80.
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
B) 100.
C) 110.
D) 125.
2. A test designed to assess whether newly graduated medical students should be granted the legal right to practice medicine would most likely be considered
a(n) ________ test.
A) g-factor
B) aptitude
C) factor analysis
D) achievement
3. Before publishing her test of musical aptitude, Professor Reed first administered the test to a representative sample of people. This was most clearly necessary
for test:
A) standardization.
B) reliability.
C) heritability.
D) validity.
XI.
Abnormal Behavior
Unit Essential Questions:


How is abnormality defined?
What are the causes and symptoms of major psychological disorders?
Unit Vocabulary
Anorexia
Bipolar Disorder
Bulimia
Depression
Diathesis-Stress Model
Dissociative Disorders
Dopamine
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
DSM
GAD
MMPI
OCD
Panic Disorder
Personality Disorders
Phobias
Advanced Placement Psychology
PTSD
SAD
Schizophrenia
Somatoform Disorders
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What are the characteristics of a psychological disorder?
What are the causes, symptoms and prevalence of disorders in the major diagnostic categories?
What are the strengths and limitations of major perspectives’ explanations of major disorders?
How is diagnostic labeling helpful and harmful?
What does it mean to be legally insane?
Activities:
a. Create a mental illness PowerPoint or poster presentation
b. Solve the “personality disorders dinner party” puzzle
c. Make cartoon characters exemplifying various disorders
R1/R10
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New
York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Insanity Defense: Insanity and Responsibility (p
647)
Rosenhan, D. (n.d.). The Rosenhan Study: On
Being Sane in Insane Places. Institute for Nearly
Genuine Research .
http://www.bonkersinstitute.org/rosenhan.html
Barkley, R. (n.d.). What Is Adhd? | PBS Medicating Kids | FRONTLINE | PBS. PBS: Public
Broadcasting Service.
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
W1
W2
•
Discuss the precise claims of the author
and the opposing claims presented in the
article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details, and
examples.
•
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of
the author’s claims and opposing claims.
•
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
assigned topic.
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s argument.
•
Provide a concluding statement or section
that follows from and supports the
information presented.
Advanced Placement Psychology
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/me
dicating/experts/whatis.html
Sample Questions:
1. Lenore is unexplainably and continually tense and is plagued by muscle tension, sleeplessness, and an inability to concentrate. Lenore most likely suffers from
a(n):
A) phobia.
B) dysthymic disorder.
C) obsessive-compulsive disorder.
D) generalized anxiety disorder.
2. Mr. James believes that people are constantly laughing at him and that FBI agents are trying to steal his life savings. Mr. James is most clearly suffering from:
A) compulsions.
B) catatonia.
C) delusions.
D) hallucinations.
3. Without success, Maxine spends hours each day trying to suppress intrusive thoughts that she might have forgotten to lock her house when she left for work.
Her experience is most symptomatic of:
A) a panic disorder.
B) an obsessive-compulsive disorder.
C) a generalized anxiety disorder.
D) a histrionic personality disorder.
XII.
Treatment
Unit Essential Question:

What are the various treatment approaches to psychological disorders?
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
Unit Vocabulary
Alternative Therapies
Anit-Psychotics
Anti-Anxiety Drugs
Anti-Depressants
Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Therapy
Eclectic Approach
ECT
Free Association
Group Therapy
Humanistic Therapy
Lobotomy
Medical Model
Psychoanalytic Therapy
Psychotherapies
Rational Emotive Therapy
Resistance
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What are the key characteristics of therapeutic intervention?
How do major treatment approaches differ in their orientations and strategies?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of individual and group therapy?
How effective are various treatment strategies towards specific disorders?
Activities:
a. Make a chart of major types of therapies, their methods, what they treat etc.
b. Conduct a humanistic therapy simulation
c. Participate in a disorders/treatment role play as client/therapist
R1/R10
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New
York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Is Psychotherapy Effective (Obj 11-14, 16: pp700705, 707-708)
Paris, J. (2012, April 12). Over-prescribing: a
worrisome trend. Montreal Gazette - Breaking
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
W1
W2
•
Discuss the precise claims of the author
and the opposing claims presented in the
article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details, and
examples.
•
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
Advanced Placement Psychology
News, Quebec, Opinion, Multimedia & More.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/health/Over+presc
ribing+worrisome+trend/6405191/story.html
Is Ritalin Overprescribed? — YES by Dr. Richard
Bromfield
http://www.americanchiropractic.net/ADD/Is%20R
italin%20Overprescribed.pdf
the author’s claims and opposing claims.
•
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s argument.
assigned topic.
•
Provide a concluding statement or section
that follows from and supports the
information presented.
Reading: Deinstitutionalization, A Psychiatric
“Titanic” (Read prior to Frontline Video)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/as
ylums/special/excerpt.html
Video: PBS Frontline The New Asylums (viewer
discretion-preview first)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/as
ylums/view/
Video: PBS Frontline: Medicating Kids – covers
ADHD as four families are followed over the
course of a year (53 min)
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/me
dicating/watch/
Sample Questions:
1. A therapist helps Rebecca overcome her fear of water by getting her to swim in the family’s backyard pool three times a day for two consecutive weeks. The
therapist’s approach to helping Rebecca best illustrates:
A) stress inoculation training.
B) aversive conditioning.
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
C) exposure therapy.
D) EMDR.
2. Several years after his wife’s death, Mr. Sanchez remains incapacitated by feelings of guilt and sadness. In order to reduce Mr. Sanchez’s depression, a
therapist is actively encouraging him to stop blaming himself for not being able to prevent his wife’s death. The therapist’s approach is most representative of:
A) systematic desensitization.
B) psychoanalysis.
C) cognitive therapy.
D) client-centered therapy.
3. Which of the following individuals is most likely to benefit from lithium?
A) Olivia, who experiences delusions and auditory hallucinations
B) Landon, who experiences a generalized sense of apprehension and anxiety
C) Miranda, who experiences periods of extreme sadness followed by episodes of optimistic overexcitement
D) Ivan, who experiences sudden brief episodes of intense dread and panic
XIII. Social Psychology
Unit Essential Question:

How do groups and culture influence individual behavior?
Unit Vocabulary
Aggression
Attraction
Bystander Effect
Cognitive Dissonance
Conformity
Deindividuation
Diffusion of Responsibility
Frustration-Aggression Principle
Fundamental Attribution Error
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Group Polarization
Groupthink
Informational Social Influence
Normative Social Influence
Norms
Obedience Study
Prejudice
Roles
Self Fulfilling Prophecy
Advanced Placement Psychology
Social Trap
Stanford Prison Experiment
Superordinate Goal
Daily Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How can our behaviors be explained through attribution theory?
How do groups behave differently?
How does the presence of others influence the behavior of the individual?
How do we respond to the expectations of others?
What reasons exist for differential treatment of group members?
What is an attitude and what reasons and strategies exist for attitude change?
Activities:
a. Recreate or modify the Asch conformity study (you will need confederates!)
b. Watch a video on a famous study (Asch, Milgram, Zimbardo, bystander effect)
c. Play the missile game or use real money as an incentive to demonstrate social traps
d. Read the article on Kitty Genovese, and discuss the bystander effect
e. Try a prejudice test on project implicit
R1/R10
Myers, D. (2007). Psychology. (8th ed.). New
York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Learning Aggression (pp752-756)
Gansberg, M. (1964). Thirty-Eight Who Saw
Murder Didn't Call the Police. The New York Times
http://www2.selu.edu/Academics/Faculty/scraig/ga
nsberg.html
Milgram’s Obedience StudyMcLeod, S. A. (2007). Milgram Experiment.
http://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
W1
W2
•
Discuss the precise claims of the author
and the opposing claims presented in the
article.
•
Select from the reading the most
significant and relevant facts, details, and
examples.
•
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of
the author’s claims and opposing claims.
•
•
Use precise language, psychology
vocabulary when writing about the
assigned topic.
Provide a concluding statement that
supports or rejects the author’s argument.
•
Provide a concluding statement or section
that follows from and supports the
Advanced Placement Psychology
information presented.
McLeod, S. A. (2008). Cognitive Dissonance.
http://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitivedissonance.html
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001).
Discovering psychology: Constructing Social
Reality [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Video: Zimbardo, P. (Performer) (2001).
Discovering psychology: The Power of the
Situation [Web]. Retrieved from
http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html
Sample Questions:
1.Ben hates to wear ties but wears one to his sister's wedding to avoid his family's disapproval. Ben's behavior exemplifies the importance of:
A) the mere exposure effect.
B) informational social influence.
C) normative social influence.
D) social facilitation.
E) the reciprocity norm.
2. According to Milgram, the most fundamental lesson to be learned from his study of obedience is that:
A) people are naturally predisposed to be hostile and aggressive.
B) even ordinary people, who are not usually hostile, can become agents of destruction.
C) the desire to be accepted by others is one of the strongest human motives.
D) people value their freedom and react negatively when they feel they are being coerced to do something.
3.
When 12-year-old Jack saw an old man lying on the sidewalk in apparent discomfort, he prepared to offer help. But when he noticed several adults
walk past the man, he concluded that the man did not need any help. His reaction most clearly illustrates one of the dynamics involved in:
A) the mere exposure effect.
B) the fundamental attribution error.
C) social loafing.
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
D) the foot-in-the-door phenomenon.
E) the bystander effect.
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn
Advanced Placement Psychology
John Cline, Joel Bibby, Mark Clarke, Ed Flynn