Syllabus

**Syllabus and Course Description 2016-2017**




// Myers’ Psychology for AP //  by David G. Myers
 * __ Textbook __**

Paper Chromebook
 * __ Materials __**
 * 3 RING BINDER**

The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. Areas covered include: history of psychology; research methods; biological bases of behavior; sensation and perception; cognitive psychology; physical, social and emotional development; abnormal behavior and therapies; social psychology; and gender differences. This is a rigorous and demanding course requiring students to have a strong work ethic, to read at a rigorous pace, and to complete a variety of writing assignments. Students are expected to demonstrate strong writing and analytical skills and independent work habits. This course follows the APA guidelines for Advanced Placement Psychology, and all students are expected to take the AP exam.
 * __ Course Description __**

Students will: 1. study the fundamental concepts and theories of psychology. 2. learn the basic skills of psychological research. 3. develop critical thinking, reading, writing, and discussion skills. 4. analyze ethical issues and enduring psychological questions. 5. apply psychological principles in their own lives. 6. prepare to earn a passing score on the AP Psychology Exam.
 * __Course Objectives__**

Tests/Projects: 35% Quizzes/Minor Projects/Writing Assignments: 15% Class Participation/Class work/Binders: 35% Homework: 15%
 * __Social Studies Department Distribution of quarterly grading components:__**

Students must respect all people, including themselves, and all property, including their own, at all times. Come to class each day prepared to learn and work hard. Bring all required materials daily as well as an enthusiastic, positive, curious and focused attitude. Take responsibility for your behavior, work, and learning. Collaboration is an important part of class and learning, however all work on tests must be your own and anything turned in must be in your own words. Seek extra help if you do not understand a concept or procedure.
 * __Classroom Expectations__**
 * PACING GUIDE**


 * **QUARTER ONE** || **QUARTER TWO** || **QUARTER THREE** || **QUARTER FOUR** ||
 * Summer Assignment and Introduction - Technology || Unit 5 – States of Consciousness || Unit 9 – Developmental Psychology || Unit 14 – Social Psychology ||
 * Unit 1 – History and Approaches || Unit 6 - Learning || Unit 10 - Personality || Review for AP Exam ||
 * Unit 2 – Research Methods || Unit 7 - Cognition || Unit 11 – Testing and Individual Differences ||  ||
 * Unit 3 – Biological Bases of Behavior || Unit 8 – Motivation and Emotion || Unit 12 – Abnormal Psychology || After the AP Exam - Final Projects ||
 * Unit 4 - Sensation and Perception ||  || Unit 13 – Therapy and Treatment ||   ||
 * || //Midterm Review and Exam// ||  || //AP Exam Monday May 1st 2017 at noon// ||

**__COURSE OUTLINE__**

Sources: Myers’ Unit 1 Pages 2-17
 * 1) **Psychology’s History and Approaches (2-4%)**
 * 2) What is psychology?
 * 3) Logic, Philosophy and History of Science
 * 4) Psychology’s Approaches

Sources: Myers’ Unit 2 Pages 19-49
 * 1) **Research Methods: Thinking Critically with Psychological Science (8-10%)**
 * 2) The Scientific Method
 * 3) Experimental, Correlation, and Clinical Research
 * 4) Statistics
 * 5) Ethics in Research

Sources: Myers’ Unit 3 pages 51-113
 * 1) **Biological Bases of Behavior (8-10%)**
 * 2) The Brain
 * 3) Neuroanatomy
 * 4) The Nervous System
 * 5) Neural Communication and Transmission
 * 6) The Endocrine System
 * 7) Genetics
 * 8) Evolutionary Psychology

Sources: Myers’ Unit 4 Pages 115-173
 * 1) **Sensation and Perception (6-8%)**
 * 2) Thresholds and Signal Detection Theory
 * 3) Vision
 * 4) Hearing
 * 5) The Other Senses
 * 6) Perceptual Processes

Sources: Myers’ Unit 5 Pages 175-213
 * 1) **States of Consciousness (2-4%)**
 * 2) Sleep and Dreaming
 * 3) Hypnosis
 * 4) Psychoactive Drug Effects

Sources: Myers’ Unit 6 Pages 215-253
 * 1) **Learning (7-9%)**
 * 2) Classical Conditioning
 * 3) Operant Conditioning
 * 4) Cognitive Processes
 * 5) Social Learning and Learning by Observation

Sources: Myers’ Unit 7 Pages 255-325
 * 1) **Cognition (8-10%)**
 * 2) Memory
 * 3) Language
 * 4) Thinking
 * 5) Problem Solving and Creativity

Sources: Myers’ Unit 8 Pages 327-409
 * 1) **Motivation and Emotion (6-8%)**
 * 2) Biological Bases
 * 3) Motivaional Concepts
 * 4) Hunger, Thirst, Sex and Pain
 * 5) Social Motives
 * 6) Theories of Emotion
 * 7) Stress

Sources: Myers’ Unit 9 Pages 411-477
 * 1) **Developmental Psychology (7-9%)**
 * 2) Life-Span Approacj
 * 3) Research Methods
 * 4) Heredity-Environment Issues
 * 5) Developmental Theories
 * 6) Dimensions of Development
 * 7) Sex Roles and Gender Roles

Sources: Myers Unit 10 Pages 479-521
 * 1) **Personality (7-9%)**
 * 2) Personality Theories and Approaches
 * 3) Perosonality Assessment Techniques
 * 4) Growth and Adjustment

Sources: Myers’ Unit 11 Pages 523-559
 * 1) **Testing and Individual Differences (5-7%)**
 * 2) Standardization and Norms
 * 3) Reliability and Validity
 * 4) Types of Tests
 * 5) Ethics and Standards in Testing
 * 6) Intelligence

Sources: Myers Unit 12 Pages 561-603
 * 1) **Abnormal Behavior (7-9%)**
 * 2) Perspectives on Psychological Disorders
 * 3) Theories of Psychopathology
 * 4) Diagnosis of Psychopathology
 * 5) Types of Disorders

Sources: Myers’ Unit 13 Pages 605-641
 * 1) **Treatment of Abnormal Behavior (5-7%)**
 * 2) Treatment Approaches
 * 3) Modes of Therapy
 * 4) Community and Preventive Approaches

Sources: Myers’ Unit 14 Pages 643-695
 * 1) **Social Psychology (8-10%)**
 * 2) Group Dynamics
 * 3) Attribution Processes
 * 4) Interpersonal Perception
 * 5) Conformity, Compliance, Obedience
 * 6) Attitudes and Attitude Change
 * 7) Organizational Behavior
 * 8) Aggression/Antisocial Behavior
 * 9) Cultural Influences