Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology Synopsis of Course AP Psychology is an entry-level college psychology course. It will serve two practical foci. It is academic in orientation culminating with an AP exam in mid May. It is also functional in orientation allowing students opportunity to give personal application to the content of the course. Through the development of critical thinking, and upon the completion of the course, students will be able to: 1. define and explain at least four approaches to psychology 2. perform scientific research and apply the scientific method to that research 3. define and explain the biological basis of behavior 4. explain the relationship between sensation and perception and the processes within each relationship 5. define and explain the various states of consciousness 6. define and explain at least four learning theories 7. explain cognition and how memory, language, and thinking are related 8. define and explain at least four theories of motivation and emotion 9. explain the developmental process from birth through death 10. define personality and discuss its various theories and assessment techniques 11. identify at least five common disorders and discuss possible causes and treatments 12. define standardization and norms and use spreadsheets (Excel) to graph the results 13. define social psychology and group dynamics
Materials/Supplies/Textbook Policy The materials needed are your brain, a pen, paper, and a 3-ring binder to keep handouts, notes, research, experiments, quizzes and personal journals (responses to various topics, ideas, and personal insights).
Coon, Dennis. Introduction to Psychology Gateways to Mind and Behavior 2004 (Ninth Edition) Supplement Texts: Hock, Roger R, Forty Studies That Changed Psychology (5th Edition) Useful Web Sites: College Board AP Psych Outline: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/psych/topics.html?phych
Teacher web sites: http://www.madison.sandi.net/rrunyan/AP%20Psych/ap_psychology.htm
Student Expectations: Advance Placement Psychology is the academically highest-level psychology course offered to high school students. This course has the potential to provide college credit for students successful in passing the AP Exam. Therefore, AP Psych students have very specific expectations both academically and behaviorally: Attend class on time Bring necessary materials (texts, pens, pencils, binders…) Participate as both team members and leaders, in discussions, activities…
1 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology Read assigned text and supplement materials (Reading is an integral part of this course, students must be disciplined and prepared for extensive reading and note- taking in order to be prepared for the AP Exam) Turn in all assignments on time (late work is either not allowed or will result in drastic reduction in points) Communicate effectively (orally and in writing) Be responsible and self directed learner Ask questions as necessary Be courteous and use good conduct at all time
All students are expected to take the Advance Placement Exam. Students who complete this course successfully but do not sit for the corresponding AP examination will receive un-weighted credit. (See Administrative Procedure 4770, section C.3)
Course Assignments The following assignments constitute the majority of the AP Psychology course. It is your responsibility to continually track these assignments and turn them in according to the proposed timeline. Failing to do so will have a negative impact on your grade. There is an Orientation to Psychology paper due by the end of the second week of school.
1. Orientation to Psychology Paper Week 1 of course 2. There are two major research projects required for this course. a. First Semester - select one of the major contributors to psychology from the list provided and follow instructions for APA format writing techniques. The paper should be 3-4 pages, typed, double-spaced, and 12- point Times New Roman or Arial font. A form will be handed to you giving more detailed instruction. b. Second Semester - select any topic relating to psychology based on the subjects covered in the text. As above the format will be the same.
3. Web Research - each student is responsible to find one article from each chapter in the book that reflects the topic of that chapter. A printout of the article can be submitted for credit. These are worth 25 points each. 4. Fiction and Non-Fiction reading- Throughout each semester students must read texts that apply or investigate psychological phenomenon. 5. AP Psychology Notebook - this is a collection of handouts, notes, quizzes, papers, and reflections. This notebook will be collected and graded periodically 6. Tests - one test per chapter. Each test will reflect the style of the AP Exam and will be timed. It will consist of multiple-choice questions and 1 essay. 7. Class Participation- There will be various written assignments and in-class activities. Come prepared to discuss and interact with classmates on the topic at hand. Grading/Assessments/Methods/Strategies: Grades will be calculated based on student mastery of content and skills as measured by tests, quizzes, essays, homework, discussions, in class participation and projects. A traditional ten percent scale will be used to calculate letter grades: A = 100-90 %, B 89-79, C = 78-69, D = 68-58, F= 57%.
2 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology Each assignment will be given a point value and will be broken down along this 10% scale. Classroom Policies Make Up Work and Attendance: Assignments and points will be given each day. If students are absent they will miss points. It is the responsibility of the STUDENT to come after school to ask for missed assignments and make-up tests and quizzes. If a student is absent when a homework assignment is due, they must turn in the assignment the next day they attend school. If students are absent and miss a test or quiz they must make up the missed test the day they return. The attendance office must clear all absences or no credit or makeup will be allowed. Truancies will result in loss of grade points, lowered citizenship, and detention.
Tardy Policy: If students must come late to class they should not talk to the teacher or interrupt the class when they come in. Students should sign the tardy sign in sheet, sit down, and begin work and I will speak with students at the end of class. Students who come late to class will be assigned detention and citizenship will be lowered. Seating Charts will be used. All students will sit in assigned seats.
Supplies Needed: Binders, textbooks, paper pencils, pens,
Academic Honesty: Thank you for always doing your own work and trying your best. Academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating) will result in double loss of grade for that assignment and counseling.
This syllabus can be amended at the discretion of the instructor.
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3 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology AP Outline 1. History and Approaches 2. Research Methods 3. Biological Bases of Behavior 4. Sensation and Perception 5. States of Consciousness 6. Learning 7. Cognition 8. Motivation and Emotion 9. Developmental Psychology 10. Personality 11. Testing and Individual Differences 12. Abnormal Psychology 13. Treatment of Psychology 14. Social Psychology Semester One Weeks 1-2 Psychology Orientation Essay Assignment History and Approaches (2–4%) Research Methods (6–8%) Chapter 1 Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods 12 Ethics in the practice of Psychology
Week 3-4 Biological Bases of Behavior (8–10%) Chapter 2 Brain and Behavior 56 Nervous System Neurons Neural Transmitters Brain Anatomy Glands and Behavior
Week 5-7 Developmental Psychology (7–9%) Chapter 3 Child Development 92 Heredity Nature vs. Nurture Emotional Attachment Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Stages Vygotsky’s Socio-cultural Theory of Learning
Chapter 4 From Birth to Death: Life-Span Development 136 Life Stages Sibling Rivalry Learning Disorders Erikson, life span and development Aging and Death 4 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology
Week 8-9 Sensation and Perception (7–9%) Chapter 5 Sensation and Reality 174 Sensory systems Private Sensations The eyes/brain/chemical and neural elements of senses Controlling Pain
Chapter 6 Perceiving the World 212 Perception Size, shape, brightness, stereoscopic vision Adaptation Gestalt Principles Depth perception Illusions
Week 9-10 States of Consciousness (2–4%) Chapter 7 States of Consciousness 250 Altered States of consciousness Brain Waves and Sleep Hypnosis Psychoactive Drugs
Week 11-12 Learning (7–9%) Chapter 8 Conditioning and Learning 292
Week 13-14 Cognition (8–10%) Chapter 9 Memory 330 Chapter 10 Cognition, Language, and Creativity 366
Week 15 Motivation and Emotion (7–9%) Chapter 12 Motivation and Emotion 430
Chapter 11 Intelligence 402
Week 16, 17, 18 Review, Projects, and Final
5 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology Semester Two Week 1-2 Personality (6–8%) Chapter 13 Gender and Sexuality 474 Chapter 14 Personality 508 Chapter 15 Health, Stress, and Coping 548
Week 3-4 Testing and Individual Differences (5–7%) Chapter 18 Social Behavior 666
Week 5-6 Abnormal Psychology (7–9%) Chapter 16 Psychological Disorders 586
Week 7-8 Treatment of Psychological Disorders (5–7%) Chapter 17 Therapies 628
Week 9-10 Social Psychology (7–9%) Chapter 4 Specifically: Death and Dying162
Chapter 19 Attitudes, Culture, and Human Relations 696 Attitudes and Behavior: Fundamental attribution error, roles, Festinger and cognitive dissonance Group Influence: Asch and conformity, Milgram and obedience, facilitation and loafing, Janis and groupthink Prejudice and Scapegoating Altruism: Darley and Latané
Chapter 20 Applied psychology 728
Week 11,12,13,14 Review, Projects, and Final Exam
6 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology
Pretest- Notables in the Study of Psychology Instructions: For each of the following names, circle one of the choices and, if you can, write a brief phrase or sentence indicating the person’s main contributions to psychology. 0 = Do not recognize this Individual 1 = Recognize this name. 2 = recognize this name and can describe the person’s contribution to psychology Name Contribution Name Contribution 1. Alfred Adler 33. Paul Broca 2. Mary Ainsworth 34. Jean Martin 3. Solomon Asch Charcot 4. Albert Bandura 35. Anna Freud 5. Alfred Binet 36. Luigi Galvani 6. Noam Chomsky 37. Herman Von 7. Erik Erikson Hemholtz 8. Sigmund Freud 38. Carl Jung 9. Carol Gilligan 39. Phineas Gage 10. Harry Harlow 40. Albert Ellis 11. David Hubel “Baby Albert” 12. Torsten Wiesel 41. Konrad Lorenz 13. William James 42. Philip Zimbardo 14. Lawrence Kohlberg 43. H. Rorschach 15. Elizabeth Loftus 44. Stanley Milgram 16. Alexandria Luria 45. Ernest Weber 17. Abraham Maslow 46. Lewis Terman 18. Stanley Milgram 47. Karl Wernicke 19. Ivan Pavlov 48. Gordon Allport 20. Jean Piaget 49. Clark Hull 21. Roberta Rescorla 50. H. Ebbinghaus 22. Carl Rogers 51. Sir Francis Galton 52. James Lange 23. Stanley Schacter 53. Karen Horney 24. B.F. Skinner 54. Robert Sternberg 25. George Sperling 55. Schachter-Singer 26. Edward Tolman 56. Cannon-Bard 27. John Watson 57. Martin Seligman 28. Benjamin Whorf 58. Charles Spearman 29. Wilhelm Wundt 59. David Weschler 30. Lewis Terman 60. Elisabeth Kubler- 31. Benjamin Whorf Ross 32. William Sheldon
7 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology Psychology Prior Knowledge Students brainstorm first- individually, then in small group of two, followed by whole group creation of a list. The results represent our understanding of psychology as we perceive it today. One large list will be made and then that list will be correlated to the AP OUTLINE
1. What are the main elements of psychology- 2. What popular images of psychology are you psychiatry? familiar with?
3. What are the main functions of psychology? 4. List as many topics related to the study of psychology as you can.
8 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology
Review the AP Outline for Psychology:
In groups of two, students are assigned one of the following portions of the AP Outline: Next to the Prior Knowledge responses, create a list of content contained under the AP Psych outline.
What are the implications associated with what we know about psychology and what we need to know about psychology?
I. History and Approaches (2–4%) II. Research Methods (6–8%) III. Biological Bases of Behavior (8–10%) IV. Sensation and Perception (7–9%) V. States of Consciousness (2–4%) VI. Learning (7–9%) VII. Cognition (8–10%) VIII. Motivation and Emotion (7–9%) IX. Developmental Psychology (7–9%) X. Personality (6–8%) XI. Testing and Individual Differences (5–7%) XII. Abnormal Psychology (7–9%) XIII. Treatment of Psychological Disorders (5–7%) XIV. Social Psychology (7–9%)
9 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology Chapter 1 Presentation
Create a brief presentation for one aspect of Chapter 1 Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods. Include the following 1. Question(s) to be answered by your presentation. (Begin the presentation with these question)
2. Include a specific list of vocabulary that will be addressed in the presentation. (content specific psych terms, topics, names)
3. PowerPoint slides- with essential, clear, information that addresses the topic of your presentation. (diagrams, outlines, visuals help)
4. In what portion of the AP Outline would this topic be included? (be specific)
5. If your topic is a person, include a one page summary of the person and their contribution to psychology. (This can be from the internet or other source) Topics: 1. Definition of Psychology & Function of psychologists + (problem solving)
2. Process of Psychological Research, Empiricism, Overt and Covert Behavior
3. Goals of psychology & Basic Questions of psychology
4. Wilhelm Wundt-1879 (Introspection) 5. Edward Titchner- 1880s (Structuralism) 6. William James- 1890 (Functionalism) 7. *John B. Watson- 1958 (Behaviorism) 8. *B. F. Skinner- 1950s + (Operant Conditioning- Cognitive Behaviorism)
9. *Max Wertheimer- 1920-40 (Gestalt psychology “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”) 10. Sigmund Freud -1900-1939 (Psycho-analysis) Neo Freudians 11. Adler 12. Horney 13. Jung 14. Rank 15. Erikson
16. *Carl Rogers and *Abraham Maslow -1950-70 (Humanistic Psychology)
17. Psychodynamic 18. Behavioristic 19. Humanistic 20. Bio-psychological 21. Cognitive 10 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology 22. What’s the difference between Psychologist and Psychiatrist? Pg 26-28 23. Scientific Method
24. Psych Research: (2 people) Naturalistic Observation Observer effect Observation Bias Anthropomorphic Error Correlational Studies Correlational Coefficient
25. Summarize a typical Psychology Experiment (2 people) Experimental Group Control Group Independent Variables Dependent Variables Extraneous Variables Replication Placebo Effect Single Blind Experiment Double Blind Experiment
26. “A Step Beyond”- Ethics in studies?
11 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology Chapter 2 Brain and Behavior Pg. 56 Part 1
Bio-psychologist Brain Mapping Neurons Draw a picture of a neuron: Define and label the following: Dendrites Soma Axon Axon Terminals Myelin Sheath Outline the Nerve Impulse Threshold Nerve Impulse-Action Potential What is the role of chemistry/chemicals in the neuron?
Draw an enlarged synapse- label and define the following: Neurotransmitters Synapse Receptors List some of the neurotransmitters Endorphins Outline the Peripheral Nervous System: Somatic systems Autonomic System Sympathetic Parasympathetic Central Nervous System Components of the Spinal Cord What is a reflex arc and how does it work? Sensory Neuron Motor Neuron
Define Bio-psychology Clinical Study Ablation Electrical stimulation of brain may cause what behaviors? What are the following and what functions do they serve? EEG, CT Scan, MRI, P.E.T. Scan,
12 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology Chapter 2 Brain and Behavior Pg. 68 Part 2 What is the Cerebral Cortex? Cerebrum Cerebellum Cerebral Hemispheres Corpus Callosum Create a chart of Hemisphere specialization List functions of various lobes Occipital lobes Parietal lobes Temporal lobes Wernicke’s Area Frontal lobes Motor Cortex Aphasia Broca’s Area Draw a picture and label the areas of the brain and functions. 73
Hindbrain Reticular formation
Outline the functions: Thalamus Hypothalamus
Limbic system Hippocampus Endocrine System Hormones Androgens Pituitary gland Pineal gland Thyroid gland Adrenal glands Epinephrine Nor-epinephrine What do we need to know about brain hemisphere dominance? Brain Plasticity- What is it?
13 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology Chapter 5 “Sensation and Reality” page 174 Part 1 1. Data Reduction Systems (DRS) What do they do? 2. Tranducers 3. Sensory Analysis- Select, Analyze and Filter 4. Phosphenes 5. Sensory localization 6. How are Psycho Physics and Absolute Threshold associated? 7. How are Just Noticeable Difference (JND) and Weber’s Law Associated? 8. Describe perceptual defense 9. Limen 10. Subliminal Perception AP Outline 11. Wavelengths of Light = Visible Spectrum Threshold 12. Identify properties/function of Anatomy of the Eye: Absolute Threshold Lens Difference Threshold Retina Physical, Psychological, and Cornea physiological variables Fovea affected by thresholds Optic Nerve Iris Signal Detection Theories Pupil Absolute Threshold Theory Aqueous Humor Vitreous Humor Sensory Receptors Ciliary Muscle Transduce of energy for Sclera nervous system Cones Anatomy, Rods Function, 13. How do eye muscles help people see? Eye and ear 14. What are common characteristics related to visual defects? Color theories of vision Audition 15. Visual Acuity Perceptual acuity 16. Peripheral Vision Sensory adaptation 17. Theories of Color vision: Sensory disorders 18. Trichromatic and Opponent Process theories Deafness 19. Colorblindness Colorblindness 20. Ishihara Test 21. What is the role of Rods and cones in Light/Dark Adaptation
14 Mr. McElhaney 2007-2008 Point Loma High School B18 (619) 223-3121ext. 5018 Advanced Placement Psychology Chapter 5 “Sensation and Reality” page 174 Part 2 1. How do people hear? Describe the stimulus for hearing. 2. Frequency 3. Amplitude 4. Anatomy of the Ear and hearing process: a. Pinna b. Tympanic Membrane c. Auditory Ossicles: Hammer, Anvil and Stirrup d. Cochlea e. Auditory Nerve f. Corti 5. Frequency Theory 6. Place Theory
7. Compare two types of Deafness (make a chart) 8. Tinnitus
9. Why are these known as chemical senses? 10. Sense of Smell = Olfaction Sense of Taste = Gustation
11. Anosmia 12. Lock and Key Theory 13. Pheromones 14. Taste- what’s it all about- be brief 15. Somoesthetic Senses 16. Kinesthetic Senses 17. Vestibular Senses
18. Pain Reception 19. Small nerve fibers and Large nerve fibers 20. Vestibular system and balance… 21. How can people control pain? 22. Sensory Gates
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