AP Psychology – Course Schedule and Outline
Topic I: Methods, Approaches and History (8-12% of AP Test)
Myers: Introduction and Chapter 1
Barron’s: Chapter 1 & 2
Tuesday, September 5(B-3)
A. History of Psychology
1. Introspection
2. Gestalt Psychology
3. Psychoanalysis
4. Behaviorism
5. Multiple Perspectives
· Myers, pgs. 6-9
· Barron’s, pgs. 1-3
B. Psychological Perspectives
1. Humanism
2. Psychoanalytic
3. Biological (Neuroscience)
4. Evolutionary
5. Behavioral
6. Cognitive
7. Social-Cultural
· Myers, pgs. 6-9
· Barron’s, pgs. 3-5
Wednesday, September 6(C-5)
C. Research Methods
1. Clinical/Scientific Method
2. Correlation
3. Experimentation
· Myers, pgs. 13-33
· Barron’s, pgs. 11-17
D. Statistics
1. Descriptive
2. Inferential
· Myers, pgs. 34-38
· Barron’s, pgs. 18-22
E. Ethics in Psychology
· Myers, pgs. 39-43
· Barron’s. Pgs. 22-24
Friday, September 8 (E-2) AM Assembly Schedule
· Discussion and Review Day
Monday, September 11 (F-4)
· Exam
Topic II: Cognition: Memory, Thinking and Language (8-10% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 9 and 10
Barron’s: Chapter 7
Tuesday, September 12 (G-1)
A. Memory Overview
· Myers, pgs. 317-327
· Barron’s, pg. 101
B. Models of Memory
1. Sensory
2. Short Term
3. Long Term
· Myers, pgs. 328-334
· Barron’s, pgs. 101-104
C. Retrieval
· Myers, pgs 335-338
· Barron’s, pgs. 104-106
D. Forgetting
· Myers, pgs. 338-344
· Barron’s, pg. 106
Thursday, September 14 (B-3)
E. Memory Construction and Improvement
· Myers, pgs. 345-355
· Barron’s, pgs. 106-108
F. Thinking and Problem Solving and Creativity
· Myers, pgs. 358-372
· Barron’s: pgs. 109-111
G. Language
· Myers, pgs. 373-389
· Barron’s, pgs. 108
Friday, September 15 (C-5)
· Discussion and Review
Tuesday, September 19 (E-2)
· Exam
Topic III: Biological Bases of Behavior (8-10% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 2 and 3
Barron’s: Chapter 3
Wednesday, September 20 (F-4)
A. Neuroanatomy
· Myers, pgs. 47-54
· Barron’s, pgs. 31-33
B. Nervous System
· Myers, pgs. 54-57
· Barron’s, pgs. 33-35
Thursday, September 21 (G-1)
C. The Brain and Endocrine System
· Myers, pgs. 58-82
· Barron’s, pgs. 36-42
Monday, September 25 (B-3)
D. Genetics
· Myers, pgs. 85-101
· Barron’s, pgs. 43-44
E. Environmental Influences
· Myers, pgs. 102-116
Tuesday, September 26 (C-5)
· Review Day
Thursday, September 28 (E-2)
· Exam
Topic IV: Developmental Psychology (7-9% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 4
Barron’s: Chapter 9
Friday, September 29 (F-4)
A. Prenatal Development and The New Born
· Myers, pgs. 120-123
· Barron’s, pgs. 136
B. Infancy and Childhood
· Myers, pgs. 124-142
C. Adolescence
· Myers, pgs. 142-152
D. Adulthood
· Myers, pgs. 153-167
Monday, October 2 (G-1)
E. Developmental Theories
1. Attachment Theory
· Barron’s, pgs. 138-139
2. Parenting Styles
· Barron’s, pgs. 139-140
3. Stage Theories (Psychosocial)
a. Freud
b. Erikson
· Barron’s, pgs. 140-143
4. Cognitive
a. Jean Piaget
· Barron’s, pgs. 143-146
Wednesday, October 4(B-3)
5. Moral Development
a. Kohlberg
· Barron’s, pgs. 146-147
6. Gender Development
· Barron’s, pgs. 147-148
F. Continuity and Stability
· Myers, pgs. 168-169
Thursday, October 5 (C-5)
· Review
Tuesday, October 10 (E-2)
· Exam
Topic V: Sensation and Perception (7-9% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 5 and Chapter 6
Barron’s: Chapter 4
Wednesday, October 11 (F-4)
A. Thresholds
· Myers, pgs. 172-176
· Barron’s, pgs. 60-61
B. Vision
1. Structure and Function
2. Light
3. Theories of Color Vision
4. Opponent-Process Theory/Colorblindness
· Myers, pgs. 177-199
· Barron’s, pgs. 52-54
C. Hearing
1. Structure and Function
2. Sound
3. Deafness
· Myers, pgs. 189-195
· Barron’s, pgs. 55-57
Thursday, October 12 (G-1)
D. Vestibular and Touch Senses
· Myers, pgs. 196-199
· Barron’s, pg 57
E. Chemical Senses
1. Taste (Gustation)
2. Smell (Olfaction)
· Myers, pgs. 200-203
· Barron’s, pgs. 57-58
Monday, October 16 (B-3)
F. Body Position Senses
1. Kinesthetic sense
2. Vestibular sense
· Myers, pgs. 203-206
· Barron’s, pgs 59
G. Perception (Myers, chapter 6-use as extra resource)
1. Perceptual Theories
· Barron’s, pgs. 60-62
2. Principles of Visual Perception
a. Gestalt rules
b. Constancy
c. Depth cues
· Barron’s, pgs 62-65
3. Effects of Culture on Perception
· Barron’s, pg. 65
Tuesday, October 17 (C-5)
· Review
Friday, October 20 (E-2)
· Exam
Topic VI: States of Consciousness (2-4% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 7 (Read for a more comprehensive understanding.)
Barron’s: Chapter 5
Monday, October 23 (F-4)
A. Overview
· Barron’s, pg. 72
B. Level of Consciousness
· Barron’s, pg. 73
C. Sleep
1. Sleep Cycle
2. Sleep Disorders
· Barron’s, pgs. 74-76
Tuesday, October 24 (G-1)
D. Dreams
· Barron’s, pgs. 76-77
E. Hypnosis
· Barron’s, pgs. 77-78
F. Drugs
· Barron’s, pgs. 78-80
Thursday, October 26 (B-3)
· Review
Friday, October 27 (C-5)
· Exam
Topic VII: Learning (7-9% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 8
Barron’s: Chapter 6
Tuesday, October 31 (E-2)
A. Classical Conditioning
· Myers, pgs. 290-299
· Barron’s, pgs. 86-88
B. Operant Conditioning
· Myers, pgs. 300-307
· Barron’s, pgs. 89-93
Wednesday, November 1 (F-4)
C. Cognitive Learning
1. The Contingency Model of Classical Conditioning
2. Observational Learning
3. Latent Learning
4. Abstract Learning
5. Insight Learning
· Myers, pgs. 307-315
· Barron’s, pgs. 93-95
Thursday, November 2(G-1)
· Review
Monday, November 6 (B-3)
· Exam
Topic VIII: Motivation and Emotion (7-9% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 12 and Chapter 13
Barron’s: Chapter 8
Tuesday, November 7(C-5)
A. Overview
· Myers, pg. 423
· Barron’s, pg. 118
B. Theories of Motivation
1. Drive Reduction Theory
2. Arousal Theory
3. Incentive Theory
4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
· Myers, pgs. 424-426
· Barron’s, pgs. 118-120
C. Hunger Motivation
5. Biological Basis of Hunger
6. Psychological Factors
7. Eating Disorders
· Myers, pgs. 427-434
· Barron’s, pgs. 120-122
D. Sexual Motivation
· Myers, pgs. 435-447
· Barron’s, pgs. 122-123
Thursday, November 9 (E-2)
E. Social Motivation
1. Achievement Motivation
2. Extrinsic/Intrinsic Motivation
3. Leadership (Management Theory)
· Myers, pgs. 448-456
· Barron’s, pgs. 124-125
F. Theories About Emotions
1. James-Lange vs. Cannon-Bard
2. Schachter’s Two-Factor Theory
· Myers, pgs. 459-464
· Barron’s, pgs. 126
G. Stress
· Barron’s, pgs. 127
H. Seyle’s General Adaptation Syndrome
· Barron’s, pg. 127-128
I. Perceived Control
· Barron’s, pg. 128
Friday, November 10 (F-4) PM Assembly Schedule
· Review
Tuesday, November 14 (G-1)
· Exam
Topic IX: Personality (6-8% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 14
Barron’s: Chapter 10
Thursday, November 16 (B-3)
A. Personality Theories and Approaches
1. The Psychoanalytic Theory (Freud)
· Myers, pgs. 490-501
· Barron’s, pgs. 155-159
2. Psychodynamic Theories (Neo-Freudian Approaches)
· Barron’s, pgs. 159-160
3. Trait Theories
· Myers, pgs. 502-511
· Barron’s, pg. 160-161
4. Biological Theories
· Barron’s, pgs. 161
Friday, November 17 (C-5)
5. Behaviorist Theories
· Barron’s, pg. 161
6. The Humanistic Perspective
· Myers, pgs. 512-521
· Barron’s, pgs. 163
7. The Social-Cognitive Perspective
· Myers, pgs. 522-529
· Barron’s, pgs. 162-163
B. Assessment Techniques
· Barron’s, pg. 163
Tuesday, November 21 (E-2)
· Exam
November 23rd to 26th Thanksgiving Holiday
Topic X: Social Psychology (7-9% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 18
Barron’s: Chapter 14 (Use as a review of material)
Monday, November 27 (G-1)
A. Social Thinking
1. Attributing Behavior
2. Attitudes and Actions
· Myers, pgs. 643-649
B. Social Influence
1. Conformity and Obedience
2. Group Influence
· Myers, pgs. 649-660
Wednesday. November 29 (B-3)
C. Social Relationships
1. Prejudice
2. Aggression
· Myers, pgs. 661-670
3. Conflict
4. Attraction
5. Altruism
6. Peacemaking
· Myers, pgs. 675-687
Thursday, November 30 (C-5)
· Review
Monday, December 1 (E-2)
· Exam
Topic XI: Abnormal Psychology (7-9% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 15
Barron’s: Chapter 12
Tuesday, December 5 (F-4)
A. Definitions of Abnormality and Categories of Disorders
· Myers, pgs. 531-533
· Barron’s, pgs. 184-186
B. Anxiety Disorders
· Myers, pgs. 539-54
· Barron’s, pgs. 186-187
C. Mood Disorders
· Myers, pgs. 545-553
· Barron’s, pgs. 189-190
Wednesday, December 6 (G-1)
D. Dissociative Disorders
· Myers, pgs. 554-555
· Barron’s, pg. 188
E. Somatoform Disorders
· Barron’s, pgs. 187-188
F. Schizophrenia
· Myers, pgs. 556-561
· Barron’s, pgs. 190-191
G. Personality Disorders
· Myers, pgs. 562-563
· Barron’s, pgs. 192
Friday, December 8(B-3)
· Review
Monday, December 11 (C-5)
· Exam
Topic XII: Treatment of Psychological Disorders (5-7% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 16
Barron’s: Chapter 13
Wednesday, December 13 (E-2)
A. Overview and History
· Barron’s, pgs. 200-201
B. Psychoanalytic Therapies
· Myers, pgs. 568-571
· Barron’s, pgs. 201-202
C. Humanistic Therapies
· Myers, pgs. 571-572
· Barron’s, pgs. 203
Thursday, December 14 (F-4)
D. Behavioral Therapies
· Myers, pgs. 572-577
· Barron’s, pgs. 203-205
E. Cognitive Therapies
· Myers, pgs. 577-579
· Barron’s, pg. 205
Friday, December 15 (G-1)
F. Group and Family Therapies
· Myers, pg. 580
· Barron’s, pg. 206
G. Biomedical/Somatic Therapies
· Myers, pgs. 592-597
· Barron’s, pgs. 206-207
H. Kinds of Therapists
· Barron’s, pg. 207
I. How Effective is Therapy
· Barron’s, pg. 208Tuesday, December 19 (B-3)
· Exam
December 21 - January 2: Christmas Break
Topic XIII: Testing and Individual Differences (5-7% of AP Test)
Myers: Chapter 11 (Myers text will serve as supplemental material for this topic.)
Barron’s: Chapter 11
Thursday, January 4 (E-2)
I. Standardization and Norms
II. Reliability and Validity
III. Types of Tests
Friday, January 5 (F-4)
IV. Theories of Intelligence
V. Intelligence Tests
VI. Bias in Testing
VII. Nature vs. Nurture: Intelligence
Monday, January 8 (G-1)
· Review Topic XIII
Wednesday, January 10 (B-3)
· Exam
Thursday, January 11(C-5) - Wednesday January 17(F-4)
· Present Final Projects
Note: Study sessions and reviews will be scheduled before the AP Exam in the spring. These sessions are voluntary, but highly encouraged. Please keep all books, notes and other materials to prepare for the AP Exam.