12th Grade Advanced Placement Psychology

Social Studies

Curriculum

Course Title: 12^th Grade Advanced Placement Psychology

Department: Social Studies

Primary Resource: Myer’s Psychology for AP (Bedford, Freeman and Worth)

Units of Study:

• Scientific Foundations of Psychology

• Biological Bases of Behavior

• Sensation and Perception

• Learning

• Cognitive Psychology

• Developmental Psychology

• Motivation, Emotion and Personality

• Clinical Psychology

• Social Psychology

Curriculum-Based Assessments: N/A

Standardized Assessments: N/A

Description of Course: The Advanced Placement course in Psychology is primarily designed for Honors students who have not taken an Advanced Placement Course and who are more interested in social science than history and government. These students will explore a college level experience that traces the emergence of scientific psychology in the nineteenth century from its roots in philosophy and physiology. The various schools of psychology will be discussed and related to the principle twentieth century approaches to psychology. The scientific nature of psychology is made clear through coverage of the methods psychologists use. Emphasis is placed on the experimental method, but other methods, as well as elementary statistical analysis, are covered. Students will learn about the many fields within psychology and the importance of ethics in both scientific research and the practice of psychology. The course requires students to have extensive and intensive reading and writing skills. The Civics and Economics requirement will be incorporated in this class. It is recommended that students taking this course take the Advanced Placement (AP) National Exam at the end of the course.