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**work in progress on this syllabus, it was designed by the previous instructor and was approved by the College Board.

My syllabus will be very similar this year.

Advanced Placement Psychology Syllabus


Welcome to AP Psychology. You will find this course both challenging and fun. This syllabus includes information that you will need in order to complete this course and successfully prepare for the AP test that is administered in May. General Information Text: Psychology, Themes & Variations Fifth Edition. Wayne Weiten Responsibilities: It is important to recognize that your success in this course is dependent upon many factors. AP Psychology is equivalent, and in some cases more than, an introductory psychology course that you would take at the undergraduate university level. With this in mind, your level of commitment to this class will be similar to the level of commitment that you be expected to display as a first year college student. Your responsibilities for this course include, but are not limited to: o Completing assigned readings from your text and other resources o Memorizing vocabulary and relevant terms for each chapter (the use of flash card is strongly recommended.) o Completing homework/lab work in a timely manner o Possessing all necessary materials to class every day o Checking the class web site each day http://appsych.mrduez.com o Preparing and studying for quizzes and tests o Participating actively in class discussions o Utilizing email to communicate with your teacher o Taking notes in class and being engaged o Keeping your textbook covered at all times The Instructors responsibilities include: o Planning the course o Providing you with assistance in learning the material o Making suggestions that will allow you to improve your study skills o Evaluating your knowledge of the material and providing objective and descriptive feedback. o Developing your writing, learning & test taking skills. o Calculating your grade based on the results of quizzes, tests, and other forms of assessment o Maintaining a classroom environment that is conducive to learning Grading Policy o Tests and other assessments are valued 70% of your total six week grade. o Homework, quizzes, reading checks and other assignments, unless specifically stated by your teacher, are worth 30% of your six week grade. o As per Atascocita High School grading policy, any work turned in after the prescribed due date and time is considered late. Thirty percent of the value of the assignment will be deducted from an 1 AP Psychology Syllabus

assignment if it is turned in a day late, fifty percent on the second day late. Assignments o This course is reading intensive. With this fact in mind, little additional work will be assigned. It is your responsibility to memorize the key terms and key people located in each chapter (and listed in the unit plans), o Complete unit plan for each chapter when they are assigned (view the class website), o Complete assigned readings outside of class. o Essays are part of the AP exam and therefore will comprise a portion of each summative assessment. As is the case with many college level introductory psychology courses, there are a variety of topics covered. Follow the class calendar on the web site to maintain the reading schedule. Week 1 Chapter 1 The Evolution of Psychology a. History b. Contemporary Psychology 1 Welcome to AP Psychology. Course syllabus, text issued, class expectations. Read Chapter 1 and begin preparing the chapter key terms and people (Unit Plan 1). 2 Introduction to Psychology Lecture, significant individuals, and perspectives (schools) to studying behavior 3 Activity Why do I do I what I do? An activity using the various approaches of studying human behavior. 4 Psychological perspectives (points of view) Self reflection activity Analyzing my atypical behaviors. 5 Reading Check: Chapter 1 Key Terms and Key People Quiz Week 2 Chapter 2 The Research Enterprise in Psychology a. Types of Research b. Correlation c. Experimentation d. Statistical Reasoning 1 Lecture : The Scientific Attitude. 2 Read Chapter 2 and begin preparing the Chapter 2 Key Terms. Types of research and uses. 3 Discussion: Non-experimental methods: Pros, Cons, and uses. 2 AP Psychology Syllabus

1 Activity: Naturalistic Observation exercise in Auto Technology Certification Lab. 2 Lecture: Correlational and Experimental models of research. Method, uses, differences. 3 Activity: Experimental vs. Correlational Research analysis and differentiation. 4 Discussion: issues of bias and other research corrupting factors. 5 Quiz: Chapter 2 Key Terms and Key People Quiz 6 Activity: (at home) Demonstration #3 The Crest Test. Experimental design activity. Week 3 Chapter 3 The Biological Bases of Behavior a. Neural Communication b. The Nervous System c. The Brain d. The Endocrine System 1 Lecture: Biological Basis of Behavior (neuropsych), Neural transmission, the brain, and endocrine system. 2 Lab: Your autonomic nervous system at work. 3 Discussion: Brain Anatomy and Function Mnemonic device activity, Hemisphere specialization case study Week 4 1 Lecture: Brain imaging techniques 2 Activity: create scope and review for Assessment #1 (Chapters 1,2,3) 3 Assessment #1 (Chapters 1,2,3) Chapter 5 Variations in Consciousness a. Waking Consciousness b. Sleep and Dreams c. Hypnosis d. Drugs and Consciousness 1 Discussion: Consciousness Unit 2 Lecture: Altered States of Consciousness. 3 Read Chapter 5 and begin preparing the Chapter 5 Key People and Key Terms. 4 Assignment: Dream Journal activity (due in 7 days) 5 In your study groups, begin viewing the film Awakenings. Develop case study notes for the character of Leonard. 6 Activity: Theories of dreaming (comparison and contrast). Freudian Dream Analysis Activity Week 5 1 Activity: Other States of ConsciousnessMeditation and Hypnosis In class hypnosis activity. 2 Quiz: Variations in Consciousness Key Terms and Key People. 3 AP Psychology Syllabus

1 Activity: Drug Induced State of Consciousness Presentation (with Discovery interactive website) 2 Turn in Dream Journal activity. 3 Discussion: Conclude study of consciousness. Week 6 Chapter 4 Sensation and Perception a. Basic Principles b. Vision c. Hearing d. Touch, Taste and Smell e. Selective Attention f. Perceptual Organization g. Perceptual Interpretation 1 Presentation Penn and Teller video clip. Sensation and perception on sensory thresholds and adaptation. 2 Read Chapter 4 and prepare the key terms and key people outside of class. 3 Lecture: Vision, optical illusions, laws of perception (Gestalt), and modes of processing activities. 4 Watch Discovering Psychology episode on sensation and perception. 5 Discussion: on sensory systems (hearing, taste, smell, kinesthesia, etc). 6 Prep for Chapter 4 key terms and key people quiz. 7 Quiz: Chapter 4 key terms and key people. 8 Minilab Taste and Smell (Cola taste test). 9 Read: Chapter 11 tonight and begin preparing the key terms and key people. Week 7 Chapter 11 Development Across the Lifespan a. Prenatal Development b. Stage Theories c. Infancy and Childhood d. Adolescence e. Adulthood 1 Lecture: prenatal development, trends of development, infancy, and childhood. 2 Discussion on Piagets theory of cognitive development and create physical example of assimilation, accommodation and object permanence (collaborative student activity). 3 Lecture: Social development theories (Ainsworth, Harlowe, Erikson) 4 Case Study: Begin Genie case study. View The Wild Child Complete case study analysis outside of class. Week 8 4 AP Psychology Syllabus

1 Conclude Genie case study and transition to adolescent development (physical, cognitive, and social). 2 Lecture: adolescent development. 3 Home work: Eriksons identity formation, self reflection on conformity. 4 Discussion: Kohlbergs Theory of Moral Development, activity Fritzs Dilemma w/ discussion. 5 Lecture: on adulthood development (physical, cognitive, social). 6 Homework: Compare and contrast crystallized and fluid intelligence. Locate, cite, and summarize four articles from electronic resources that support aging and the issue of intelligence. 7 Study for the Chapter 11 key terms and key people quiz. Week 9 Quiz: Chapter 11 key terms and key people. Chapter 12 Personality a. Historic Perspectives on Personality b. Contemporary Research 1 Lecture: Personality (psychoanalytic, humanistic, Big 5 (and other trait theories), social cognitive perspectives). 2 Continue personality Lecture (psychosexual stages/defense mechanisms, positive self regard, hierarchy of needs, stability, reciprocal determinism/locus of control) 3 Video Biography: Sigmund Freud (from A&E) 4 Homework: defense mechanism activity. Week 10 1 Review for Chapter 11 and 12 Assessment 2 Assessment : Chapter 11 & 12. 3 Homework: read Chapter 6. 4 Homework bring a packet of unsweetened drink mix to class tomorrow. Chapter 6 Learning through Conditioning a. Classical Conditioning b. Operant Conditioning c. Learning by Observation 1 Lecture: Conditioning (with classical conditioning/aversive conditioning powder lab). (Classical conditioning, acquisition, discrimination, generalization, extinction, spontaneous recovery, aversion). 2 Activity: Operant conditioning Teaching Little Brother New Tricks) (an exercise demonstrating the practical applications of reinforcement, punishment). This assignment is due in 7 days. 3 Demonstration Sniffy the White Rat. Week 11 1 Video Discovering Psychology episode on classical, operant, and social learning theory. 2 Homework: Prepare for the Chapter 6 key terms and key people quiz. 3 Homework: read Chapter 7. Chapter 7 Human Memory 5 AP Psychology Syllabus

a. The Phenomenon of Memory b. Encoding c. Storage d. Retrieval e. Forgetting f. Memory Construction g. Improving Memory 1 Quiz: Chapter 6 key terms and key people. 2 Begin human memory presentation: (Atkinson-Schiffrin model, encoding, visual, iconic, auditory, semantic, flashbulbs memories, etc.). Please bring crayons, markers, scissors, etc., to class tomorrow. Activity: Mnemonic device (In class). Reinforce theories on memory. Lecture: The nature of memory (biological influences, context, mood, tip of the tongue phenomenon, dj vu, theories on forgetting). Week 12 1 Simulation: Eye witness testimony. Read and discuss article on Elizabeth Loftus work (fallibility, expectations, biases, stereotype, erroneous report). 2 Homework: Prepare for Chapter 6 and 7 assessment. 3 Assessment: Chapter 6 and 7. 4 Homework: Read chapter 8. Chapter 8 Language and Thought a. Thinking b. Language 1 Lecture: Language and thinking (heuristics, algorithms, schemas, mental set) 2 Video: Secrets of the Wild Child Genie 3 Homework: go to www.feralchildren.com and read the article by Maya Pines entitled The Civilizing of Genie Week 13 1 Lecture: Language acquisition and development theories (critical period hypothesis, Chomsky, Skinner, cognitive). 2 Homework: Dancing Bees vs. Kokoa comparative analysis of nonverbal language (essay). 3 Discussion: nonverbal forms of language. Presentation of essays (a few students randomly selected to present their comparative analysis essay). 4 Homework: study for the Chapter 8 key terms and key people quiz. Chapter 9 Intelligence and Psychological Testing a. The Origins of Intelligence Testing b. What is Intelligence c. Assessing Intelligence d. The Dynamics of Intelligence e. Genetic & Environmental Influences 1 Quiz: Chapter 8 key terms and key people. 2 Lecture: Begin intelligence and testing. 6 AP Psychology Syllabus

1 Homework: go to http://wilderdom.com/personality/intelligenceCulturalBias.html and follow the progression of information on the website and links. Be prepared to discuss this information tomorrow in class. 2 Discuss readings: Take mock intelligence test. Analyze validity, reliability, and discuss. 3 Discussion: Compare and contrast traditional views on intelligence and contemporary views (Spearman, Sternbreg, Gardner, etc.). Week 14 1 Lecture: the nature of intelligence (nature vs. nurture, twin studies, achievement, aptitude, influence of age on intelligence). 2 Homework: go to http://users.fmg.uva.nl/jwicherts/wicherts2004.pdf 3 Group activity: Create scope for Chapter 8 and 9 Test. 4 Homework: prepare for Chapter 8 and 9 Test. 5 Assessment: Chapter 8 and 9. Chapter 10 Motivation and Emotion a. Motivational Concepts b. Hunger c. Sex d. Belonging e. Motivation at Work f. Theories of Emotion g. Embodied Emotions h. Expressed Emotions i. Experienced Emotions 1 Begin motivation lecture: (Hunger, Sex, sexual response cycle, belonging, and achievement). 2 Homework: prepare for the Chapter 10 key terms and key people quiz. Week 15 1 Lecture: Emotion (James-Lange, Schachter-Singer model, Canon-Bard). 2 Homework: read Facing the Truth (an article on the Facial Coding System and improvements in lie detection) 3 Begin emotion activities packet (Ekmans faces, webbing exercises, situational analysis, self evaluations) 4 Complete emotion activities packet. 5 Homework: study for the Chapter 10 key terms and people quiz. 6 Chapter 10 key terms and key people quiz. Week 16 Chapter 14 Psychological Disorders a. Perspectives on Psychological Disorders b. Anxiety Disorders c. Mood Disorders d. Schizophrenia e. Personality Disorders 7 AP Psychology Syllabus

1 Psychological disorders presentation. (nature of illness, criteria for abnormal, DSMIV) 2 Homework: Complete preview questions on pages 570, 577, 582, 584, 586, 592, 598. 3 Video (from Trouble in Mind series) Anxiety Disorders. Follow with discussion. 4 Begin data retrieval Super Chart. 5 Video (from Trouble in Mind series) Depression Follow with discussion and continue to work on the Super Chart. Week 17 1 Video: Personality Disorders. Continue to work on the Super Chart. 2 Video: Frontline: Schizophrenia. (nature of the illness, treatment, twin studies) 3 Homework: add schizophrenia to your Super Chart. Chapter 15 Treatment of Psychological Disorders a. The Psychological Therapies b. Evaluating Therapies c. Biomedical Therapies 1 Begin treatment lecture (historical treatments, psychoanalysis, client centered). 2 Homework: read Chapter 15. 3 4 May 07 Continue treatment lecture (behavioral therapies, cognitive/group, biomedical therapies). 4 Homework: complete Evaluating Models of Therapy essay. 5 Homework: study for the Chapter 14 and 15 assessment. Week 18 Chapter 16 Social Behavior a. Social Thinking b. Social Influence c. Social Relations 1 Assessment: Chapter 14 and 15 test. 2 Begin social psychology lecture (social attitudes, attributions, conformity, obedience, group influence). 3 Homework: read Virtual Milgram points to potential ethical dangers of presence experiments. 4 Continue social psychology lecture (bystander effect, prejudice/discrimination, antisocial behavior). 5 Video Bystander Effect. This video examines the case of Kitty Genovese (a woman who viciously murdered while several people watched it occur and failed to intervene). Discussion to follow video. 6 Homework: study for the Chapter 16 key terms and key people quiz. Week 19 1 Video (from Discovering Psychology series) Constructing Social Realities. 2 Quiz: Various key people and key terms. 8 AP Psychology Syllabus 9 AP Psychology Syllabus

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Continue final exam review. Continue final exam review. Homework: get some rest in preparation for the AP exam. AP Exam

Week 20 1 Complete review packet. 2 Check final exam review packet. 3 Homework: study for your exams. 4 Final exams.

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