Ridgefield Public Schools

AP Psychology - High School

The AP course in Psychology is designed to be the equivalent of an introductory psychology course at the college level. Topics to be covered include: motivation, emotion, development, learning, personality theory, abnormality, testing and assessment, sensation, and research methods. Course readings include both textbook and original source material.

History, Approaches and Research Methods

TOPICS

Logic, Philosophy, and the History of Science
Approaches
Experimental, Correlational, and Clinical Research
Statistics
Ethics in Research

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

define psychology and trace its historical development.
compare and contrast the psychological approaches.
identify basic and applied research subfields of psychology.
identify basic elements of an experiment(variables, groups, sampling, population, etc.).
compare and contrast research methods (case, survey, naturalistic observation).
explain correlational studies.
describe the three measures of central tendency and measures of variation.
discuss the ethics of animal and human research.

Biological Bases of Behavior

TOPICS

Physiological Techniques
Neuroanatomy
Functional Organization of the Nervous System
Neural Transmission
Endocrine System
Genetics

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

describe the structure of a neuron and explain neural impulses.
describe neuron communication and discuss the impact of neurotransmitters.
classify and explain major divisions of the nervous system.
describe the functions of the brain structures (thalamus, cerebellum, limbic system, etc.).
identify the four lobes of the cerebral cortex and their functions.
discuss the association areas.
explain the split-brain studies.
describe the nature of the endocrine system and its interaction with the nervous system.

Sensation and Perception

TOPICS

Thresholds
Sensory Mechanisms
Receptor Processes
Sensory Adaptation
Attention
Perceptual Processes

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

contrast the processes of sensation and perception.
distinguish between absolute and difference thresholds.
label a diagram of the parts of the eye and ear.
describe the operation of the sensory systems (five senses).
explain the Young-Helmholtz and opponent-process theories of color vision.
explain the place and frequency theories of pitch perception.
discuss Gestalt psychology’s contribution to our understanding of perception.
discuss research on depth perception and cues.

States of Consciousness

TOPICS

Sleep and Dreaming
Hypnosis
Psychoactive Drug Effects

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

describe the cyclical nature and possible functions of sleep.
identify the major sleep disorders.
discuss the content and possible functions of dreams.
discuss hypnosis, noting the behavior of hypnotized people and claims regarding its uses.
discuss the nature of drug dependence.
chart names and effects of depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogenic drugs.
compare differences between NREM and REM.
describe the physiological and psychological effects of depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens.

Learning

TOPICS

Biological Factors
Classical Conditioning
Operant Conditioning
Cognitive Processes in Learning
Social Learning

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

describe the process of classical conditioning (Pavlov’s experiments).
explain the processes of acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, generalization, and discrimination.
describe the process of operant conditioning, including the procedure of shaping, as demonstrated by Skinner’s experiments.
identify the different types of reinforces and describe the schedules of reinforcement.
discuss the importance of cognitive processes and biological predispositions in conditioning.
discuss the effects of punishment on behavior.
describe the process of observational learning (Bandura’s experiments).

Memory

TOPICS

Memory

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

describe memory in terms of information processing, and distinguish among sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.
distinguish between automatic and effortful processing.
explain the encoding process (including imagery, organization, etc.).
describe the capacity and duration of long-term memory.
distinguish between implicit and explicit memory.
describe the importance of retrieval cues.

Thinking and Language

TOPICS

Language
Thinking
Problem Solving and Creativity

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

describe the nature of concepts and the role of prototypes in concept formation. discuss how we use trial and error, algorithms, heuristics, and insight to solve problems.
explain how the representativeness and availability heuristics influence our judgments.
describe the structure of language (phonemes, morphemes, grammar).
identify language development stages (babbling, one word, etc.).
explain how the nature-nurture debate is illustrated in the theories of language development.
discuss Whorf’s linguistic relativity hypothesis.
describe the research on animal cognition and communication.

Motivation and Emotion

TOPICS

Biological Bases
Theories of Motivation
Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain
Social Motives
Theories of Emotion

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

define motivation and identify motivational theories.
describe the physiological determinants of hunger.
discuss psychological and cultural influences on hunger.
define achievement motivation, including intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
identify the three theories of emotion (James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, Schachter-Singer).
describe the physiological changes that occur during emotional arousal.
discuss the catharsis hypothesis.
describe the biological response to stress.

Developmental Psychology

TOPICS

Life Span Approach
Research Methods
Heredity-Environment Issues
Developmental Theories
Dimensions of Development
Sex Roles, Sex Differences

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

discuss the course of prenatal development.
illustrate development changes in physical, social, and cognitive, areas.
discuss the effect of body contact, familiarity, and responsive parenting on attachments.
describe the benefits of a secure attachment and the impact of parental neglect and separation as well as day care on childhood development.
describe the theories of Piaget, Erikson, and Kohlberg.
describe the early development of a self-concept.
distinguish between longitudinal and cross-sectional studies.

Personality

TOPICS

Personality Theories and Approaches
Research Methods
Assessment Techniques
Self-concept, Self-esteem
Growth and Adjustment
Conflict
Stress

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

describe personality structure in terms of the interactions of the id, ego, and superego.
explain how defense mechanisms protect the individual from anxiety.
describe the contributions of the neo-Freudians.
explain how personality inventories are used to assess traits.
describe the humanistic perspective on personality in terms of Maslow’s focus on self-actualization and Roger’s emphasis of people’s potential for growth.
describe the impact of individualism and collectivism on self-identity.
describe the social-cognitive perspective on personality.
discuss the consequences of personal control, learned helplessness, and optimism.

Testing and Individual Differences

TOPICS

Standardization and Norms
Reliability and Validity
Types of Tests
Ethics and Standards in Testing (Testing and Individual Differences continued)
Intelligence
Heredity/Environment and Intelligence
Human Diversity

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

trace the origins of intelligence testing.
describe the nature of intelligence.
identify the factors associated with creativity.
distinguish between aptitude and achievement tests.
describe test standardization.
distinguish between the reliability and validity of intelligence tests.
describe the two extremes of the normal distribution of intelligence.
discuss evidence for both genetic and environmental influences of
discuss whether intelligence tests are culturally biased.

Abnormal Psychology

TOPICS

Definitions of Abnormality
Theories of Psychopathology
Diagnosis of Psychopathology
Anxiety Disorders
Somatoform Disorders
Mood Disorders
Schizophrenic Disorders
Organic Disorders
Personality Disorders
Dissociative Disorders

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

identify the criteria for judging whether behavior is psychologically disordered.
describe the medical model of psychological disorders.
describe the aims of DSM-IV, and discuss the potential dangers of diagnostic labels.
describe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder.
describe and explain the development of somatoform and mood disorders.
describe the various symptoms and types of schizophrenia.
describe the nature of organic and personality disorders.
describe the characteristics and possible causes of dissociative disorders.

Treatment of Psychological Disorders

TOPICS

Treatment Approaches
Modes of Therapy (e.g., individual, group)
Community and Preventative Approaches

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

discuss the aims and methods of psychoanalysis.
identify the basic characteristics of the humanistic therapies.
identify the basic assumptions of behavior therapy.
describe the assumptions and goals of the cognitive therapies.
discuss the benefits of group therapy and family therapy.
discuss the findings regarding the effectiveness of the psychotherapies.
discuss the role of values and cultural differences in the therapeutic process.
describe Alternative therapies and discuss their effectiveness.
identify the common forms of drug therapy and the use of electroconvulsive therapy.

Social Psychology

TOPICS

Group Dynamics
Attribution Processes
Interpersonal Perception
Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience
Attitudes and Attitude Change
Organizational Behavior
Aggression/Antisocial Behavior

CONTENT OBJECTIVES

The student will . . .

describe the importance of attribution in social behavior.
explain the effect of role-playing on attitudes in terms of cognitive dissonance theory.
discuss the results of Asch’s experiment on conformity.
describe Milgram’s controversial experiments on obedience.
discuss how group interaction can facilitate group polarization and group think.
describe the social, emotional, and cognitive factors that contribute to the persistence of cultural, ethnic, and gender prejudice and discrimination.
discuss the issues related to aggression and attraction.
explain altruistic behavior in terms of social exchange theory and social norms.

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