Jennifer KeaAP

AP Psychology Overview AND Summer Assignment

Course Overview:

The AP Psychology course introduces students to the systematic and scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. While considering the psychologists and studies that have shaped the field, students explore and apply psychological theories, key concepts, and phenomena associated with such topics as the biological bases of behavior, sensation and perception, learning and cognition, motivation, developmental psychology, testing and individual differences, treatment of abnormal behavior, and social psychology. Throughout the course, students employ psychological research methods, including ethical considerations, as they use the scientific method, analyze bias, evaluate claims and evidence, and effectively communicate ideas.

AP Psychology Course Content:

The AP Psychology course includes the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes represented by the following topics, concepts, and key contributors to each field:

  • History and Approaches
  • Research Methods
  • Biological Bases of Behavior
  • Sensation and Perception
  • States of Consciousness
  • Learning
  • Cognition
  • Motivation and Emotion
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Personality
  • Testing and Individual Differences
  • Abnormal Behavior
  • Treatment of Abnormal Behavior
  • Social Psychology

Textbook:

Myers, David G.Myers' Psychology for AP*. Worth, 2014. (book will be provided on the first day of school)

AP Exam:

The AP Psychology Exam measures students’ knowledge of the 14 key topics and fields of study in psychology and tests their ability to define, compare, and apply concepts and research findings. Questions are based on key terminology, scientific methodology, and theories associated with each subfield. Free-response questions may require students to interrelate different content areas and to analyze and evaluate psychological constructs and, more generally, theoretical perspectives.

The test consists of two sections:

Section One (66.67% of score): 100 multiple choice questions (70 minutes)

  • Apply skills of comparison and interpretation to course concepts, theories, and scientific methods

The following table reflects the approximate percentage of the multiple-choice section of the exam devoted to each content area:

2-4% History7-9% Motivation and emotion

6-8% Methods and approaches7-9% Developmental psychology

8-10% Biological bases of behavior6-8% Personality

7-9% Sensation and perception5-7% Testing and individual differences

2-4% States of consciousness7-9% Abnormal psychology

7-9% Learning5-7% Treatment of psychological disorders

8-10 % Cognition7-9% Social psychology

Section Two (33.33% of score): 2 FRQ’s (50 minutes)

The free-response questions evaluate students' mastery of scientific research principles and their ability to make connections among constructs from different psychological domains. Students may be asked to analyze a general problem in psychology (e.g., depression, adaptation) using concepts from different theoretical frameworks or subdomains in the field, or they may be asked to design, analyze, or critique a research study.

Scoring the Test

  • Multiple Choice Section: Each correct answer is awarded 1 point. You are in essence, trying to “score points.” Don’t think about how many you get wrong, think about how many you get right!
  • Free-Response Question: For each of the two questions, a rubric is established. Questions are usually scored on a 6-10 point scale that is not determined until after you’ve taken the test.

Class Goal

We will all work together to ensure you learn the material. I am counting on each of you to hold each other accountable, to study and to participate in class.

JOIN THE SCHOOLOGY CLASS PAGE BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR THE SUMMER! IF YOU DO NOT JOIN BEFORE THEN, YOU WILL HAVE TO EMAIL ME TO GET THE NEW CLASS CODE! GET THE CLASS CODE FROM MS. KEA BEFORE YOU LEAVE FOR THE SUMMER. IT WILL BE LOCATED OUTSIDE HER DOOR AT ROOM 314. However, here it is too K3TNX-W8XQV

Join Remind: @342e723 Text to: 81010

I will communicate with you this way throughout the summer and the school year.

Summer Assignment 1---Due Monday June 20, 2016 by 5 pm

Draft an e-mail using the following rules:

  1. Use well written, complete sentences! Do not abbreviate words. Use spell check. This is a professional communication similar to what you would use with a college professor or boss.
  2. Address it to
  3. Make to subject: “AP Psychology: Introduction to <Your name here >”
  4. Begin your e-mail with Ms. Kea or Dear Ms. Kea.
  5. Introduce yourself and tell me a little about yourself, like:
  • What do you like to do (hobbies, music, sports, instruments played, other interests)
  • Do you have a job? What is it? Do you like it, or do you have your sights set on other things in the future?
  • Tell a bit about family (Mom? Dad? Guardian? Siblings? Pets?). What do your parents do for a living?
  • What was the last book you read FOR FUN?
  • Are you taking any other AP classes? Are you active in extracurricular activities in school/church? What are they? How are you involved?
  • How do you think you will prioritize your time?
  • Why are you taking this class? What are you looking forward to in this class? What things about psychology interest you or puzzle you?
  • Have you had any experiences with people who act “abnormal”? What did they do? What does “abnormal” mean to you? Was there a reason for their actions?
  • Any addition information you would like to share?
  1. End your email with a formal closing: “Cordially”, “Sincerely”, “With regards”, “Your student” etc, and add your name as you would if you signed a letter.

Summer Assignment 2—Read the first three chapters of History and Approaches—Quiz over this material will be in the first week of class

  • Look in the Schoology Summer Assignment folder.
  • Read Modules 1-3 over the History and Approaches unit.
  • A best practice for this class is to look up vocabulary words. This is simple memorization with application. Look up the word and give an example. Know all the people, words and concepts.