Course Skills and Content
The following is a description of the required skill categories students will need to develop and use in the AP Psychology course.
Skill Category 1: Concept Understanding
1.A - Define and/or apply concepts.
Describe characteristics, attributes, traits, and elements in defining terms and concepts.
Classify concepts.
Describe structures and functions.
Describe patterns and trends.
Identify steps/stages in a process.
Describe steps/stages in a process.
Explain the relationship between or among the steps/stages in a process.
Explain the relevance or significance of processes and/or interactions.
Describe causes and/or effects.
Explain causes and/or effects.
Explain the relationship between concepts.
Explain the reasons for the relationship between concepts.
1.B - Explain behavior in authentic context.
Describe a behavior.
Explain why a behavior is occurring in a particular context.
1.C - Apply theories and perspectives in authentic contexts.
Explain behavior from a biological (or an evolutionary) perspective.
Explain behavior from a cognitive perspective.
Explain behavior from a developmental perspective.
Explain behavior from a social and personality perspective.
Explain behavior from a clinical perspective.
Skill Category 2: Data Analysis
Analyze the results of a research study.
Connect the results of a research study to a psychological principle, process, concept, theory, or perspective.
Use statistics to analyze data.
Skill Category 3: Scientific Investigation
Identify the research method or design used.
Describe ethical and/or research design flaws.
Describe the appropriate use of a research method or design.
Explain how ethical and/or research design flaws can be corrected.
Explain why a research method or design is appropriate.
Describe implications or limitations of the research.
Explain why conclusions are or are not appropriate based on the method and/or design.
The following is a description of the major content areas covered in the AP Psychology Exam, as well as the approximate percentages of the multiple-choice section devoted to each area . This listing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of topics.
Unit 1 - Scientific Foundations of Psychology (10-14%)
1.1 - Introducing Psychology
1.A - Recognize how philosophical and physiological perspectives shaped the development of psychological thought.
1.B - Identify the research contributions of major historical figures in psychology.
1.B.1 - Mary Whiton Calkins
1.B.2 - Charles Darwin
1.B.3 - Dorothea Dix
1.B.4 - Sigmund Freud
1.B.5 - G. Stanley Hall
1.B.6 - William James
1.B.7 - Ivan Pavlov
1.B.8 - Jean Piaget
1.B.9 - Carl Rogers
1.B.10 - B.F. Skinner
1.B.11 - Margaret Floy Washburn
1.B.12 - John B. Watson
1.B.13 - Wilhelm Wundt
1.C - Describe and compare different theoretical approaches in explaining behavior.
1.C.1 - Structuralism
1.C.2 - Functionalism
1.C.3 - Early Behaviorism
1.C.4 - Gestalt
1.C.5 - Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic
1.C.6 - Humanistic
1.C.7 - Evolutionary approach
1.C.8 - Biological approach
1.C.9 - Cognitive approach
1.C.10 - Biopsychosocial approaches
1.C.11 - Sociocultural
1.D - Recognize the strengths and limitations of applying theories to explain behavior.
1.E - Distinguish the different domains of psychology
1.E.1 - Biological domain
1.E.2 - Clinical domain
1.E.3 - Cognitive domain
1.E.4 - Counseling domain
1.E.5 - Developmental domain
1.E.6 - Educational domain
1.E.7 - Experimental domain
1.E.8 - Industrial-organizational domain
1.E.9 - Personality domain
1.E.10 - Psychometric domain
1.E.11 - Social domain
1.E.12 - Positive domain
1.2 - Research Methods in Psychology
1.F - Differentiate types of research with regard to purpose, strengths, and weaknesses.
1.F.1 - Research method: Experiments
1.F.2 - Research method: Correlational Studies
1.F.3 - Research method: Survey research
1.F.4 - Research method: Naturalistic Observations
1.F.5 - Research method: Case Studies
1.F.6 - Research method: Longitudinal Studies
1.F.7 - Research method: Cross-sectional Studies
1.G - Discuss the value of reliance on operational definitions and measurement in behavioral research.
1.3 - The Experimental Method
1.H - Identify independent, dependent, confounding, and control variables in experimental designs.
1.I - Describe how research design drives the reasonable conclusions that can be drawn.
1.I.1 - Experiments are useful for determining cause and effect
1.I.2 - The use of experimental controls reduces alternative explanations
1.I.3 - Random assignment is needed to demonstrate cause and effect
1.I.4 - Correlational research can indicate if there is a relationship or association between two variables but cannot demonstrate cause and effect
1.J - Distinguish between random assignment of participants to conditions in experiments and random selection of participants, primarily in correlational studies and surveys.
1.4 - Selecting a Research Method
1.K - Predict the validity of behavioral explanations based on the quality of the research design.
1.K.1 - Confounding variables limit confidence in research conclusions.
1.5 - Statistical Analysis in Psychology
1.L - Apply basic descriptive statistical concepts, including interpreting and constructing graphs and calculating simple descriptive statistics.
1.L.1 - Measures of central tendency
1.L.2 - Variation (range, standard deviation)
1.L.3 - Correlation coefficient
1.L.4 - Frequency distribution (normal, bimodal, positive skew, negative skew)
1.M - Distinguish the purpose of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.
1.6 - Ethical Guidelines in Psychology
1.N - Identify how ethical issues inform and constrain research practices.
1.O - Describe how ethical and legal guidelines protect research participants and promote sound ethical practice.
1.O.1 - Those provided by the American Psychological Association
1.O.2 - Federal regulations
1.O.3 - Local Institutional Review Board (IRB)
1.O.4 - Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Unit 2 - Biological Bases of Behavior (8-10%)
2.1 - Interaction of Heredity and Environment
2.A - Discuss psychology's abiding interest in how heredity, environment, and evolution work together to shape behavior.
2.B - Identify key research contributions of scientists in the area of heredity and the environment.
2.B.1 - Contributions of Charles Darwin
2.C - Predict how traits and behavior can be selected for their adaptive value.
2.2 - The Endocrine System
2.D - Discuss the effect of the endocrine system on behavior.
2.3 - Overview of the Nervous System and the Neuron
2.E - Describe the nervous system and its subdivisions and functions.
2.E.1 - Central and peripheral nervous systems
2.F - Identify basic processes and systems in the biological bases of behavior, including parts of the neuron.
2.4 - Neural Firing
2.G - Identify the basic process of transmission of a signal between neurons.
2.5 - Influence of Drugs on Neural Firing
2.H - Discuss the influence of drugs on neurotransmitters.
2.H.1 - Reuptake mechanisms
2.H.2 - Agonists
2.H.3 - Antagonists
2.6 - The Brain
2.I - Describe the nervous system and its subdivisions and functions in the brain.
2.I.1 - Major brain regions
2.I.2 - Lobes
2.I.3 - Cortical areas
2.I.4 - Brain lateralization and hemispheric specialization
2.J - Identify the contributions of key researchers to the study of the brain.
2.J.1 - Contributions of Paul Broca
2.J.2 - Contributions of Carl Wernicke
2.7 - Tools for Examining Brain Structure and Function
2.K - Recount historic and contemporary research strategies and technologies that support research.
2.K.1 - Research tool: Case Studies
2.K.2 - Research tool: Split-brain research
2.K.3 - Research tool: Imaging techniques
2.K.4 - Research tool: Lesioning
2.K.5 - Research tool: Autopsy
2.L - Identify the contributions of key researchers to the development of tools for examining the brain.
2.L.1 - Contributions of Roger Sperry
2.8 - The Adaptable Brain
2.M - Discuss the role of neuroplasticity in traumatic brain injury.
2.N - Identify the contributions of key researchers to the study of neuroplasticity.
2.N.1 - Contributions of Michael Gazzaniga
2.O - Describe various states of consciousness and their impact on behavior.
2.P - Identify the major psychoactive drug categories and classify specific drugs, including their psychological and physiological effects.
2.P.1 - Depressants
2.P.2 - Stimulants
2.P.3 - Hallucinogens
2.Q - Discuss drug dependence, addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal.
2.R - Identify the contributions of major figures in consciousness research.
2.R.1 - Contributions of William James
2.R.2 - Contributions of Sigmund Freud
2.9 - Sleep and Dreaming
2.S - Discuss aspects of sleep and dreaming.
2.S.1 - Neural and behavioral characteristics of the stages of the sleep cycle
2.S.2 - Theories of sleep and dreaming
2.S.3 - Symptoms and treatments of sleep disorders
Unit 3 - Sensation and Perception (6-8%)
3.1 - Principles of Sensation
3.A - Describe general principles of organizing and integrating sensation to promote stable awareness of the external world.
3.A.1 - Gestalt principles
3.A.2 - Depth perception
3.A.3 - Top-down processing
3.A.4 - Bottom-up processing
3.B - Discuss basic principles of sensory transduction, including absolute threshold, difference threshold, signal detection, and sensory adaptation.
3.C - Identify the research contributions of major historical figures in sensation and perception.
3.C.1 - Contributions of Gustav Fechner
3.C.2 - Contributions of David Hubel
3.C.3 - Contributions of Ernst Weber
3.C.4 - Contributions of Torsten Wiesel
3.2 - Principles of Perception
3.D - Discuss how experience and culture can influence perceptual processes.
3.D.1 - Perceptual set
3.D.2 - Context effects
3.D.3 - Schema
3.E - Discuss the role of attention in behavior.
3.3 - Visual Anatomy
3.F - Describe the vision process, including the specific nature of energy transduction, relevant anatomical structures, and specialized pathways in the brain for each of the senses.
3.F.1 - Vision process
3.F.2 - Concepts related to visual perception
3.F.3 - Theories of color vision
3.G - Explain common sensory conditions.
3.G.1 - Visual and hearing impairments
3.G.2 - Synesthesia
3.4 - Visual Perception
3.H - Explain the role of top-down processing in producing vulnerability to illusion.
3.5 - Auditory Sensation and Perception
3.I - Describe the hearing process, including the specific nature of energy transduction, relevant anatomical structures, and specialized pathways in the brain for each of the senses.
3.I.1 - Hearing process
3.6 - Chemical Senses
3.J - Describe the taste and smell processes, including the specific nature of energy transduction, relevant anatomical structures, and specialized pathways in the brain for each of the senses.
3.J.1 - Taste
3.J.2 - Smell
3.7 - Body Senses
3.K - Describe sensory processes, including the specific nature of energy transduction, relevant anatomical structures, and specialized pathways in the brain for each of the senses.
3.K.1 - Body sense: Touch
3.K.2 - Body sense: Pain
3.K.3 - Body sense: Vestibular
3.K.4 - Body sense: Kinesthesis
Unit 4 - Learning (7-9%)
4.1 - Introduction to Learning
4.A - Identify the contributions of key researchers in the psychology of learning.
4.A.1 - Albert Bandura
4.A.2 - Ivan Pavlov
4.A.3 - Robert Rescorla
4.A.4 - B.F. Skinner
4.A.5 - Edward Thorndike
4.A.6 - Edward Tolman
4.A.7 - John B. Watson
4.A.8 - John Garcia
4.B - Interpret graphs that exhibit the results of learning experiments.
4.C - Describe the essential characteristics of insight learning, latent learning, and social learning.
4.D - Apply learning principles to explain emotional learning, taste aversion, superstitious behavior, and learned helplessness.
4.E - Provide examples of how biological constraints create learning predispositions.
4.2 - Classical Conditioning
4.F - Describe basic classical conditioning phenomena.
4.F.1 - Acquisition
4.F.2 - Extinction
4.F.3 - Spontaneous recovery
4.F.4 - Generalization
4.F.5 - Stimulus discrimination
4.F.6 - Higher-order learning
4.F.7 - Unconditioned stimulus
4.F.8 - Unconditioned response
4.F.9 - Neutral/conditioned stimulus
4.F.10 - Conditioned response
4.G - Distinguish general differences between principles of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning.
4.G.1 - Contingencies
4.3 - Operant Conditioning
4.H. - Predict the effects of operant conditioning.
4.H.1 - Positive reinforcement
4.H.2 - Negative reinforcement
4.H.3 - Positive punishment
4.H.4 - Negative punishment
4.I - Predict how practice, schedules of reinforcement, other aspects of reinforcement, and motivation will influence quality of learning.
4.4 - Social and Cognitive Factors in Learning
4.J - Suggest how behavior modification, biofeedback, coping strategies, and self-control can be used to address behavioral problems.
Unit 5 - Cognitive Psychology (13-17%)
5.1 - Introduction to Memory
5.A - Compare and contrast various cognitive processes.
5.A.1 - Effortful versus automatic processing
5.A.2 - Deep versus shallow processing
5.A.3 - Selective versus divided attention
5.A.4 - Metacognition
5.B - Describe and differentiate psychological and physiological systems of memory.
5.B.1 - Short-term memory
5.B.2 - Implicit memory (procedural)
5.B.3 - Long-term memory
5.B.4 - Sensory memory (echoic, iconic)
5.B.5 - Prospective memory
5.B.6 - Explicit memory (semantic, episodic)
5.B.7 - Physiological systems
5.C - Identify the contributions of key researchers in cognitive psychology.
5.C.1 - Noam Chomsky
5.C.2 - Hermann Ebbinghaus
5.C.3 - Wolfgang Kohler
5.C.4 - Elizabeth Loftus
5.C.5 - George A. Miller
5.2 - Encoding
5.D - Outline the principles that underlie construction and encoding of memories.
5.3 - Storing
5.E - Outline the principles that underlie effective storage of memories.
5.4 - Retrieving
5.F - Describe strategies for retrieving memories.
5.5 - Forgetting and Memory Distortion
5.G - Describe strategies for memory improvement and typical memory errors.
5.6 - Biological Bases of Memory
5.H - Describe and differentiate psychological and physiological systems of short- and long-term memory.
5.7 - Introduction to Thinking and Problem Solving
5.I - Identify problem-solving strategies as well as factors that influence their effectiveness.
5.J - List the characteristics of creative thought and creative thinkers.
5.8 - Biases and Errors in Thinking
5.K - Identify problem-solving strategies as well as factors that create bias and errors in thinking.
5.9 - Introduction to Intelligence
5.L - Define intelligence and list characteristics of how psychologists measure intelligence.
5.L.1 - Abstract versus verbal measures
5.L.2 - Speed of processing
5.L.3 - Fluid intelligence
5.L.4 - Crystallized intelligence
5.L.5 - Flynn effect
5.L.6 - Stereotype threat
5.L.7 - Savant syndrome
5.M - Discuss how culture influences the definition of intelligence.
5.N - Compare and contrast historic and contemporary theories of intelligence.
5.N.1 - Charles Spearman
5.N.2 - Howard Gardner
5.N.3 - Robert Sternberg
5.O - Identify the contributions of key researchers in intelligence research and testing.
5.O.1 - Alfred Binet
5.O.2 - Francis Galton
5.O.3 - Howard Gardner
5.O.4 - Charles Spearman
5.O.5 - Robert Sternberg
5.O.6 - Lewis Terman
5.O.7 - David Wechsler
5.10 - Psychometric Principles and Intelligence Testing
5.P - Explain how psychologists design tests, including standardization strategies and other techniques to establish reliability and validity.
5.Q - Interpret the meaning of scores in terms of the normal curve.
5.R - Describe relevant labels related to intelligence testing.
5.R.1 - Gifted
5.R.2 - Intellectual disability
5.11 - Components of Language and Language Acquisition
5.S - Synthesize how biological, cognitive, and cultural factors converge to facilitate acquisition, development, and use of language.
5.T - Debate the appropriate testing practices, particularly in relation to culture-fair test uses.
Unit 6 - Developmental Psychology (7-9%)
6.1 - The Lifespan and Physical Development in Childhood
6.A - Explain the process of conception and gestation, including factors that influence successful pre-natal development.
6.A.1 - Nutrition
6.A.2 - Illness
6.A.3 - Substance abuse
6.A.4 - Teratogens
6.B - Discuss the interaction of nature and nurture (including cultural variations), specifically physical development, in the determination of behavior.
6.C - Discuss maturation of motor skills.
6.2 - Social Development in Childhood
6.D - Describe the influence of temperament and other social factors on attachment and appropriate socialization.
6.E - Identify the contributions of major researchers in developmental psychology in the area of social development in childhood.
6.E.1 - Albert Bandura
6.E.2 - Diana Baumrind
6.E.3 - Konrad Lorenz
6.E.4 - Harry Harlow
6.E.5 - Mary Ainsworth
6.E.6 - Sigmund Freud
6.F - Discuss the interaction of nature and nurture (including cultural variations), specifically social development, in the determination of behavior.
6.G - Explain how parenting styles influence development.
6.3 - Cognitive Development in Childhood
6.H - Explain the maturation of cognitive abilities (Piaget's stages, Information process).
6.I - Identify the contributions of major researchers in the area of cognitive development in childhood.
6.I.1 - Lev Vygotsky
6.I.2 - Jean Piaget
6.4 - Adolescent Development
6.J - Discuss maturational challenges in adolescence, including related family conflicts.
6.5 - Adulthood and Aging
6.K - Characterize the development of decisions relating to intimacy as people mature.
6.L - Predict the physical and cognitive changes that emerge through the lifespan, including steps that can be taken to maximize function.
6.M - Identify the contributions of key researchers in the area of adulthood and aging.
6.M.1 - Erik Erikson
6.6 - Moral Development
6.N - Identify the contributions of major researchers in the area of moral development.
6.N.1 - Carol Gilligan
6.N.2 - Lawrence Kohlberg
6.O - Compare and contrast models of moral development.
6.7 - Gender and Sexual Orientation
6.P - Describe how sex and gender influence socialization and other aspects of development.
Unit 7 - Motivation, Emotion, and Personality (11-15%)
7.1 - Theories of Motivation
7.A - Identify and apply basic motivational concepts to understand the behavior of humans and other animals.
7.A.1 - Instincts
7.A.2 - Incentives
7.A.3 - Intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation
7.A.4 - Overjustification effect
7.A.5 - Self-efficacy
7.A.6 - Achievement motivation
7.B - Compare and contrast motivational theories, including the strengths and weaknesses of each.
7.B.1 - Drive reduction theory
7.B.2 - Arousal theory (including the Yerkes-Dodson law)
7.B.3 - Evolutionary theory of motivation
7.B.4 - Maslow's theory
7.B.5 - Cognitive dissonance theory
7.C - Describe classic research findings in specific motivations.
7.C.1 - Eating
7.C.2 - Sex
7.C.3 - Social
7.D - Identify contributions of key researchers in the psychological field of motivation and emotion.
7.D.1 - William James
7.D.2 - Alfred Kinsey
7.D.3 - Abraham Maslow
7.D.4 - Stanley Schachter
7.D.5 - Hans Selye
7.2 - Specific Topics in Motivation
7.E - Discuss the biological underpinnings of motivation, including needs, drives, and homeostasis.
7.3 - Theories of Emotion
7.F - Compare and contrast major theories of emotion.
7.F.1 - James-Lange Theory
7.F.2 - Cannon-Bard Theory
7.F.3 - Schachter two-factor theory
7.F.4 - Evolutionary theories (primary emotions)
7.F.5 - Richard Lazarus's appraisal theory
7.F.6 - Joseph LeDoux's theory
7.F.7 - Paul Ekman's research on cross-cultural displays of emotion
7.F.8 - Facial feedback hypothesis
7.G - Describe how cultural influences shape emotional expression, including variations in body language.
7.4 - Stress and Coping
7.H - Discuss theories of stress and the effects of stress on psychological and physical well-being.
7.H.1 - General adaptation theory
7.H.2 - Stress-related illnesses
7.H.3 - Lewin's motivational conflicts theory
7.H.4 - Unhealthy behaviors
7.5 - Introduction to Personality
7.I - Describe and compare research methods that psychologists use to investigate personality.
7.I.1 - Case studies
7.I.2 - Surveys
7.I.3 - Personalities inventories
7.J - Identify the contributions of major researchers in personality theory.
7.J.1 - Alfred Adler
7.J.2 - Albert Bandura
7.J.3 - Paul Costa & Robert McCrae
7.J.4 - Sigmund Freud
7.J.5 - Carl Jung
7.J.6 - Abraham Maslow
7.J.7 - Carl Rogers
7.6 - Psychoanalytic Theories of Personality
7.K - Compare and contrast the psychoanalytic theories of personality with other theories of personality.
7.7 - Behaviorism and Social Cognitive Theories of Personality
7.L - Compare and contrast the behaviorist and social cognitive theories of personality with other theories of personality.
7.8 - Humanistic Theories of Personality
7.M - Compare and contrast humanistic theories of personality with other theories of personality.
7.N - Speculate how cultural context can facilitate or constrain personality development, especially as it relates to self-concept.
7.N.1 - Collectivist versus individualistic cultures
7.9 - Trait Theories of Personality
7.O - Compare and contrast trait theories of personality with other theories of personality.
7.10 - Measuring Personality
7.P - Identify frequently used assessment strategies, and evaluate relative test quality based on reliability and validity of the instruments.
7.P.1 - Personality inventory
7.P.2 - Projective tests
Unit 8 - Clinical Psychology (12-16%)
8.1 - Introduction to Psychological Disorders
8.A - Recognize the use of the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association as the primary reference for making diagnostic judgments.
8.B - Describe contemporary and historical conceptions of what constitutes psychological disorders.
8.C - Discuss the intersection between psychology and the legal system.
8.C.1 - Confidentiality
8.C.2 - Insanity defense
8.2 - Psychological Perspectives and Etiology of Disorders
8.D - Evaluate the strengths and limitations of various approaches to explaining psychological disorders.
8.E - Identify the positive and negative consequences of diagnostic labels.
8.E.1 - The Rosenhan Study
8.3 - Neurodevelopmental and Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders
8.F - Discuss the major diagnostic categories, including neurodevelopmental disorders, neurocognitive disorders, schizophrenia spectrum, and other psychotic disorders, and their corresponding symptoms.
8.4 - Bipolar, Depressive, Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders
8.G - Discuss the major diagnostic categories, including anxiety disorders, bipolar and related disorders, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, and their corresponding symptoms.
8.5 - Trauma- and Stressor-Related, Dissociative, and Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
8.H - Discuss the major diagnostic categories, including dissociative disorders, somatic symptom and related disorders, and trauma- and stressor-related disorders and their corresponding symptoms.
8.6 - Feeding and Eating, Substance and Addictive, and Personality Disorders
8.I - Discuss the major diagnostic categories, including feeding and eating disorders, personality disorders, and their corresponding symptoms.
8.7 - Introduction to Treatment of Psychological Disorders
8.J - Discuss the central characteristics of psychotherapeutic intervention.
8.K - Identify the contributions of major figures in psychological treatment.
8.K.1 - Aaron Beck
8.K.2 - Albert Ellis
8.K.3 - Sigmund Freud
8.K.4 - Mary Cover Jones
8.K.5 - Carl Rogers
8.K.6 - B.F. Skinner
8.K.7 - Joseph Wolpe
8.8 - Psychological Perspectives and Treatment of Disorders
8.L - Describe major treatment orientations used in therapy and how those orientations influence therapeutic planning.
8.L.1 - Behavioral
8.L.2 - Cognitive
8.L.3 - Humanistic
8.L.4 - Psychodynamic
8.L.5 - Cognitive-behavioral
8.L.6 - Sociocultural
8.M - Summarize effectiveness of specific treatments used to address specific problems.
8.N - Discuss how cultural and ethnic context influence choice and success of treatment (e.g. factors that lead to premature termination of treatment).
8.O - Describe prevention strategies that build resilience and promote competence.
8.9 - Treatment of Disorders from the Biological Perspective
8.P - Summarize effectiveness of specific treatments used to address specific problems from a biological perspective.
8.10 - Evaluating Strengths, Weaknesses, and Empirical Support for Treatments of Disorders
8.Q - Compare and contrast different treatment methods.
8.Q.1 - Individual
8.Q.2 - Group
8.Q.3 - Rational-emotive method
8.Q.4 - Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic method
8.Q.5 - Client-centered method
8.Q.6 - Cognitive method
8.Q.7 - Behavioral method
8.Q.8 - Sociocultural method
8.Q.9 - Biopsychosocial method
8.Q.10 - Cognitive-behavioral method
Unit 9 - Social Psychology (8-10%)
9.1 - Attribution Theory and Person Perception
9.A - Apply attribution theory to explain motives.
9.A.1 - Fundamental attribution error
9.A.2 - Self-serving bias
9.A.3 - False consensus effect
9.A.4 - Confirmation bias
9.A.5 - Just-world hypothesis
9.A.6 - Halo effect
9.B - Articulate the impact of social and cultural categories on self-concept and relations with others.
9.B.1 - Gender
9.B.2 - Race
9.B.3 - Ethnicity
9.C - Anticipate the impact of self-fulfilling prophecy on behavior.
9.2 - Attitude Formation and Attitude Change
9.D - Identify important figures and research in the areas of attitude formation and change.
9.D.1 - Leon Festinger
9.E - Discuss attitude formation and change, including persuasion strategies and cognitive dissonance.
9.E.1 - Central route to persuasion
9.E.2 - Peripheral route to persuasion
9.E.3 - Cognitive dissonance
9.E.4 - Elaboration likelihood model
9.3 - Conformity, Compliance, and Obedience
9.F - Identify the contributions of key researchers in the areas of conformity, compliance, and obedience.
9.F.1 - Solomon Asch
9.F.2 - Stanley Milgram
9.F.3 - Philip Zimbardo
9.G - Explain how individuals respond to expectations of others, including groupthink, conformity, and obedience to authority.
9.4 - Group Influences on Behavior and Mental Processes
9.H - Describe the structure and function of different kinds of group behavior.
9.I - Predict the impact of the presence of others on individual behavior.
9.I.1 - Bystander effect
9.I.2 - Social facilitation
9.I.3 - Social inhibition
9.I.4 - Group polarization
9.I.5 - Deindividuation
9.I.6 - Diffusion of responsibility
9.I.7 - In-group/out-group bias
9.I.8 - Reciprocity norms
9.I.9 - Social norms
9.I.10 - Social traps
9.I.11 - Prisoner's dilemma
9.I.12 - Conflict resolution
9.I.13 - Superordinate goals
9.5 - Bias, Prejudice, and Discrimination
9.J - Describe processes that contribute to differential treatment of group members.
9.J.1 - In-group/out-group dynamics
9.J.2 - Ethnocentrism
9.J.3 - Prejudice
9.J.4 - Bias
9.J.5 - Discrimination
9.J.6 - Scapegoat theory
9.J.7 - Stereotype
9.J.8 - Out-group homogeneity bias
9.J.9 - Mere-exposure effect
9.6 - Altruism and Aggression
9.K - Describe the variables that contribute to altruism and aggression.
9.7 - Interpersonal Attraction
9.I - Describe the variables that contribute to attraction.