AP PSYCHOLOGY

Course Syllabus
Hialeah Gardens Senior High
Mrs. Borges

The purpose of AP Psychology is to introduce students to the studies of behavior and mental
processes of humans and animals. Students will be provided with a critical overview of the study
of psychology, focusing on the theories and research methods used in psychological science and
practice. Because psychology is a fascinating course, it is possible to explore the field using a
variety of methods. The course information will be presented through lectures, class
participation activities, demonstrations, and audio-visual aids.

COURSE TEXTBOOK
Weiten, W. (2004). Psychology: Themes and Variations (6th ed.).
California: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning.

REQUIRED MATERIALS
• 5 Steps to a 5: AP Psychology (ISBN: 0071624546)*
• 40 Studies that Changed Psychology (ISBN: 013603599X)**
• 1 ½” - 2" (minimum) 3-ring binder (I give a lot of materials to help you along the way)
• 2 spiral notebooks (for notes/vocabulary, pages will not be ripped out!)
• 1 pack of dividers (for binder)
• 1 box of 12 colored pencils (12 minimum- 24 maximum)
• 1 box of markers (8-12)
• 1 highlighter (any color)
• 2 blue or black ink pens
• 2 pencils
• college ruled notebook paper (in notebook and refilled as needed)

* 5 Steps to a 5: AP Psychology (ISBN: 0071624546) may be purchased, at almost half price, new
or used, on Amazon.com or half.com. You may also purchase or borrow a used copy from a
former AP Psychology student.
** 40 Studies that Changed Psychology (ISBN: 013603599X) may be checked out from a local
library, or purchased new or used on Amazon.com or half.com. Please keep in mind that this
book will be used throughout the course, for several topics.

Please search for the best prices. You can get good deals on many books this way.

COURSE EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to arrive to class on time, participate in class discussions and
activities, and complete all assigned readings and assignments. Any make-up assignments must
be completed no later than 2 days after returning to class and must be accompanied with an
excused admit.
It is expected that each student that signs up for this course complete and turn in the
accompanying “Summer Course Work” on the first day of class. Failure to do so will have a
negative effect on your academic progress.

AP COURSE DEMANDS
It should be understood from the beginning of this course that the expectations of this
class are consistent with those of any Advanced Placement course. Students should expect a
workload similar to that of a college level course. This will involve extensive reading every night,
active participation in class discussions and activities, taking notes, completing projects, and
doing research.
THE AP EXAM
One of the goals of this course is to prepare you for the AP Exam. A passing score will
earn you college credit for the class at most colleges and universities. The AP Psychology Exam
is scheduled for Monday, May 2nd.

COURSE PLAN
CHAPTER 1: The Evolution of Psychology- History and Approaches (1 week)
• Logic, Philosophy, and History of Science
• Historical Schools: Functionalism vs. Structuralism
• Approaches: Biological, Behavioral, Cognitive, Humanistic, Psychodynamic, Sociocultural,
Evolutionary
CHAPTER 2: Research (1 week)
• Experimental, Correlational, and Clinical Research
• Nature of Science Inquiry: Sources of bias and error
• Statistics: Central tendency, variance, significance, correlation
• Ethics in Research: Human participants, animal subjects
CHAPTER 3: Biological Basis of Behavior (3 weeks)
• Neural Transmission
• Functional Organization of Nervous System
• Physiological Techniques
• Neuroanatomy
• Endocrine System
• Genetics and Heritability
CHAPTER 4: Sensation and Perception (2 weeks)
• Thresholds
• Sensory Mechanisms
• Sensory Adaptation
• Attention
• Perceptual Processes
CHAPTER 5: Consciousness (2 weeks)
• Sleep and Dreaming
• Hypnosis
• Psychoactive Drug Effects
CHAPTER 6: Learning (1 ½ weeks)
• Classical Conditioning: Pavlov, Watson, applications
• Operant Conditioning: Thorndike, Skinner, Bandura, behavior modification
• Cognitive Processes in Learning
• Biological Factors
• Social Learning
CHAPTER 7: Human Memory (1 ½ weeks)
• Memory: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval
CHAPTER 8: Language and Thought (1 ½ weeks)
• Language: Skinner and Chomsky
• Thought
• Problem Solving and Creativity
CHAPTER 9: Intelligence and Psychological Testing (2 weeks)
• Heredity/Environment and Intelligence
• Human Diversity
• Extremes of Intelligence: Mental Retardation, Giftedness
• Standardization and Norms
• Reliability and Validity
• Types of Tests
 • Ethics and Standards in Testing
CHAPTER 10: Motivation and Emotion (2 weeks)
• Biological Bases
• Theories of Motivation
• Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain
• Social Motives
• Theories of Emotion
CHAPTER 11: Human Development (3 weeks)
• Prenatal, Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence, and Adulthood
• Research Methods: Longitudinal and cross-sectional studies
• Heredity–Environment Issues
• Nature vs. Nurture (maturation versus learning)
• Sex Roles, Sex Differences
• Influential Theories: Piaget and cognitive development, Freud and psychosocial
development Kohlberg and moral development, Gilligan and gender differentiation.
CHAPTER 12: Personality (2 weeks)
• Personality Theories and Approaches
• Assessment Techniques
• Growth and Adjustment
CHAPTER 13: Stress and Health (1 week)
• Nature of Stress
• Major Types of Stress
• Responding to Stress
• Effects of Stress
• Health-Impairing Behaviors
CHAPTER 14: Abnormal Psychology (3 weeks)
• Definitions of Abnormality
• Theories of Psychopathology
• Diagnosis of Psychopathology
• Types of Disorders: Anxiety, Somatoform, Mood, Schizophrenic, Organic, Personality,
Dissociative
CHAPTER 15: Treatment of Psychological Disorders (2 weeks)
• Treatment Approaches
• Modes of Therapy
• Community and Preventive Approaches
CHAPTER 16: Social Psychology (3 weeks)
• Person Perception, Forming Impressions of others
• Attribution Process: Explaining Behavior
• Interpersonal Attraction: Liking and Loving
• Attitudes: Making Social judgments
• Conformity, Compliance, Obedience
• Group Behavior
• Prejudice

REVIEW & PRACTICE

The remaining class time will be spent reviewing and practicing for the AP Psychology Exam.