AP Psychology

Description

AP Psychology is a college-level course providing students with an overview of the development of human behaviors and thoughts. Along with preparation for the AP Psychology exam, the goals of this course are to immerse students in modern psychological investigation techniques, to accentuate the ethics and morality of human and animal research, and to emphasize scientific critical thinking skills in application to the social sciences. Psychology is a diverse social and biological science with multiple perspectives and interpretations. The primary emphasis of this course is to help students develop an understanding of concepts rather than memorize terms and technical details; the ultimate goal is to prepare students to successfully take the AP Psychology examination offered in May. 

Major Topics and Concepts

Semester 1

The history of psychology
Major historical figures in psychology
Research methods of psychology
Biological bases of behavior
Influence of drugs on the brain
Sensation and perception
States of consciousness
Types of learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning and observational learning
Compare and contrast cognitive processes

SEmester 2

Memory
Compare and contrast motivational theories
Compare and contrast theories of emotion
Developmental psychology
Nature vs. nurture
Compare and contrast theories of personality
Intelligence and testing intelligence
Abnormal behavior/Psychological disorders
Major contributors to the different fields of psychology