AP PSYCHOLOGY
SUMMER READING
2018 Summer Assignments for AP Psychology
The assigned reading is as follows: Genie: A Scientific Tragedy The assigned reading is as Januaryfollows: 12, Genie: 1994 by A Russ Scientific Rymer Tragedy, January 12, 1994 by Russ Rymer There are a number of things to consider when reading this book. Students are There are a number of thingsencouraged to consider to when take notes reading and thisponder book. various Students points. areThe encouraged depth of psychology to take notes and ponder variousinterwoven points. The and depththe layers of psychology of implications interwoven of this story and are the immense. layers of Students implications of this story are shouldimmense. identify Students and evaluate should the identify psychological and evalua elementste the found psyc inhological the text. elements found in the text. Complete the following:
1) What influence does the following argument have on the case of Genie: nature vs nurture? 2) What does it mean to be a “feral child” and how does this apply to Genie? 3) Is there any family background that lends itself to understanding the abuse Genie endured (explicit or implicit)? 4) Evaluate the family members, individually and collectively. Further evaluate the community in which Genie lived. 5) Discuss the role of The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Genie’s case. 6) Identify Susan Curtiss and James Kent. 7) Provide an assessment of Genie’s emotional and cognitive abilities. 8) Where was Genie ‘developmentally’ when discovered? Where should she have been (in terms of age)? 9) Discuss the following: “critical period” and “language acquisition” then state how each relates/applies to Genie’s case. 10) Why were psychologists and linguists intrigued by Genie? Why was her case of interest and importance to the scientific community? 11) Identify Noam Chomsky and Eric Lenneberg. What are their theories? What do they bring to the discussion of Genie’s case? 12) Discuss the steps/components of the language process (phonology, grammar rules, syntax, etc.). Discuss Genie’s language process (be specific). 13) What is mental retardation? What is intelligence? How is it measured? How does mental retardation impact intelligence? What was Genie’s capacity to learn? How was it effected? 14) Identify Jay Shurley. What was different about his role versus, that of, a psychologist? 15) Identify Jean Butler and David Rigler. 16) Why did NIMH withdraw funding in 1974? 17) What happened to Genie in 1975 (regarding her care/living arrangements)? 18) What happened to Genie after a spending significant amount of time in foster homes and returning to Children’s Hospital? Why do you think she regressed? 19) Why would Genie end up silent, depressed, and chronically institutionalized? Factors? 20) What should have or not have happened in the life and care of Genie? [This is where the student concluded the exercise with a reflection and recommendation(s).] Revised: June 7, 2018