Psychology 12

September 2016 May 2017

Ms. Vaessen:
rvaessen@sd43.bc.ca
3:15pm 5:00pm

Class times: Tues & Thurs

Welcome to the fantastic world of AP Psychology!

This course is similar to a first year university psychology course. It
introduces students to the main paradigms within the field of psychology,
covering basic terminology and some of the major contributions of the field. The
topics include neuroscience, development, sensation, perception, learning,
memory, personality, disorders, and social psychology. As the course involves a
great deal of reading; time management skills and a reasonable proficiency in
reading comprehension and synthesis are essential.
This course runs after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:20-5:00
beginning in September and finishing in May. Students who are successful in the
course receive 4 credits toward graduation. Students can earn a university credit
if they are successful in the optional AP exam in May. Cost for the AP exam is
approximately $1oo.
Topic Outline
These are the major content areas covered by the AP Psychology Exam, as well as
the approximate percentages of the multiple-choice section that are devoted to
each area. We do not cover the topics in the same order as laid out in the
textbook. Use the following reading list as your guide.
Unit

Content Area

Main topics

Unit
1

History and
Approaches

Unit
2

Research
Methods

Logic, Philosophy, and History of

Science; Paradigms (Biological,
Behavioral, Cognitive, Humanistic,
Psychodynamic, Sociocultural,
Evolutionary, Biopsychosocial);
Subfields in Psychology
Experimental, Correlational, and
Clinical Research (longitudinal, crosssectional); Statistics (descriptive and
inferential); Ethics
Standardization and Norms;
Reliability & Validity; Types of Tests;

Testing and
Individual

Textbo
ok
pages
1-15

Weight
on AP
Exam
24%

18-52
and
handout

8-10%

Handout

5-7%

Differences
Unit
3

Developmental
Psychology

Unit
4

Biological Bases
of Behavior

Unit
5

Cognition

Unit
6

Learning

Unit
7

Social
Psychology

Unit
8

Dreams and
States of
Consciousness
Motivation and
Emotion

Unit
9

Personality

Ethics and Standards in Testing

Intelligence
Heredity-Environment Issues (nature
vs nurture); Gender and sexuality; LifeSpan Approach; Developmental
Theories; Dimensions of Development
(physical
cognitive, social, and moral)
Physiological Techniques (e.g.,
imaging, surgical); Neuroanatomy;
Functional Organization of Nervous
System; Neural Transmission;
Neuroplasticity; Endocrine System;
Genetics; Evolutionary Psyc
Memory; Thinking; Problem Solving
and Creativity; Language; Intelligence

Classical and Operant Conditioning;

Cognitive Processes in Learning;
Biological Factors; Observational
Learning
Group Dynamics; Attribution
Processes; Interpersonal Perception;
Conformity, Compliance, & Obedience;
Attitudes and Attitude Change;
Organizational Behaviour;
Aggression/Antisocial Behavior;
Cultural Influences
Sleep and Dreaming; Hypnosis;
Psychoactive Drug Effects
Biological Bases; Theories of
Motivation;
Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain;
Social Motives; Theories of Emotion;
Stress
Personality Theories and Approaches;
Assessment Techniques; Growth and
Adjustment

98-132
and
134-190

7-9%

56-96

810%

342382;
384
-417;
418-452
308-340

810%

694-741

8-10%

264-306

2-4%

454496;
498528;
530-572

6-8%

7-9%

5-7%

Unit
10

Abnormal
Psychology

Treatment of
Psychological
Disorders

Unit
11

Sensation and
Perception

Definitions of Abnormality; Theories of

Psychopathology; Diagnosis of
Psychopathology (using the DSM-V);
Mood Disorders; Anxiety Disorders;
Schizophrenic Disorders; Organic
Disorders; Personality Disorders;
Dissociative Disorders
Treatment Approaches (including
Psychodynamic Approaches;
Humanistic Approaches; Behavioral
Approaches; Cognitive Approaches;
Biological Approaches
(Psychopharmacology/psychosurgery);
Modes of Therapy (e.g., individual,
group)
Community and Preventive
Approaches
Thresholds and Signal Detection
Theory; Sensory Mechanisms;
Attention; Perceptual Processes

618-657
(and
DSM-V
hand
out)

7-9%

658-692

5-7%

192228;
230-262

6-8%

School Based Assessment

Oral communication/participation
Major Assignments
Unit Tests
Practice exam

20%
25%
35%
20%

A note about unit tests

This year, our unit tests will not be included in our regular Tuesday/Thursday class
schedule. Instead we will be holding unit tests on ________________. The test for a
given unit will be held on the ________________ following completion of the unit.
This has been done to extend the amount of time we have for learning the
material and reviewing before the AP Exam (or final exam).
Major Assignments
Nature versus nurture written assignment
Social Psychology research design
Stress pamphlet
/25
Token Economy
/40
Research essay
/50

The AP Exam (Monday May 1, 2017)

/20
/30

The exam must be signed up for in January/February. It costs approximately

$100.00
The two-hour exam includes a 70-minute multiple-choice section and a 50-minute
free-response section.
Section I: Multiple-Choice (two-thirds of your exam score)
This section is designed to assess the breadth of your knowledge of the subject.
The questions cover the 14 areas of scientific psychology covered in the course
and described in the Topic Outline. Total scores on the multiple-choice section are
based on the number of questions answered correctly. Points are not deducted for
incorrect answers and no points are awarded for unanswered questions.
Section II: Free-Response (one-third of your grade)
The free-response section tests your ability to make connections among
constructs from a number of the 14 content domains covered in the course. There
are two questions in the free-response section. Each question incorporates
concepts from a number of domains. The questions often involve application,
analysis, synthesis, or a critique of psychological principles.

Keys to success on the AP exam and in our class

Know your key terms, key figures and key research studies
(and their findings)
Remember that we cannot cover everything you are expected to know in
our classes. You are responsible for knowing all of your key terms, figures
and research studies

Apply WHAT your learn to HOW you learn

For example, when studying memory you will learn that effective encoding
involves
o Actively questioning new information
o Thinking about its implications
o Relating information to things you already know
o Generating your own examples of concepts

Avoid Cramming!
Cramming is ineffective for learning and is counterproductive - sleep
deprivation has a negative impact on cognitive functioning.

o Successful students typically space their work out over shorter

periods of time and rarely try to cram all of their studying into just
one or two sessions.

Have Consistent Study Habits

Students who study sporadically and whimsically typically do not perform as

well as students who have a set study schedule.

Actively Engage Your Brain

Take notes on your reading and create questions that you think would be
reasonable exam questions, then provide the answers. Active reading
engages your brain at a deeper level which increases retention.
After reading and answering the questions, discuss the information you
have learned with a family member or friend. The best way to test your
understanding is to try to teach the information to someone else.
Use multiple methods that engage more areas of your brain (ex. semantic
encoding, visual encoding, AND aural encoding).