ADVANCED

PLACEMENT PSYCHOLOGY
George Washington High School
2015-2016
Mr. Rodrigues

Advanced Placement Psychology

Mr. Rodrigues, 2015-2016 Syllabus

Course Description:
AP Psychology is a challenging course that is equivalent to a college course and can possibly earn
students a college credit by scoring well on the AP Exam in May. It is a course designed to introduce
students to the systematic and scientific study of behavior and mental processes of human beings and
other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated
with each of the major sub fields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods
psychologists use in their science and practice (Advanced Placement Course Description in Psychology).
Solid reading and writing skills, along with a willingness to devote considerable time to homework and
study, are necessary to succeed.

Course Objectives:
Introduce students to the scientific study of behavior.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and limits of various research
techniques.
Students will demonstrate and understanding of general psychology principles.
Students will learn to view human behavior from the behavioral, cognitive, humanistic and
biological perspectives.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and limits of individual
perspectives and know the major research studies that support these perspectives.
Students will be prepared to take the AP Exam.

Classroom Expectations:
Throughout the year, I have high expectations of you and your ability to conduct yourself exceptionally.
To that end, I ask that you follow these basic rules:

1. Be a good human Treat everyone in the classroom with respect. No insults, name-
calling, profanity, or derogatory words.
2. Refrain from speaking out while others are addressing the class. You may disagree with an idea
or opinion, but you must do so politely and courteously.
3. Arrive to class on time and be seated when the bell rings, ready to go.
4. In the event that a student misses a class, it is the students responsibility to determine what
he/she has missed.
5. Keep the classroom clean and organized.
6. Do not become a distraction. This includes side conversations, eating, playing, fighting, or using
electronic devices on the sly. The use of smart phones, iPods, or other electronic devices is
strictly forbidden and they will be confiscated if youre caught.

Items required for class:

a.
b.
c.

Myers, David G. Psychology for AP. New York: Worth Publishers/BFW, 2010.
Three ring binder with loose leaf paper, or spiral notebook with folder, and writing supplies (maintain
all handouts, worksheets, quizzes and graded tests)
Journal (for writing prompts)

The Classroom Experience:

Syllabus

- AP Psychology Mr. Rodrigues

You will be asked to take an active part in forming your own questions and analysis. In the AP classroom,
discussion and demonstrations will dominate over lectures so that we can learn from each other.
There are a considerable amount of terms and concepts you must master. However, you must do more
than memorize information. You will be asked to apply this information to real life situations via class
discussions or through concisely written free response questions.
You will be expected to do a considerable amount of daily reading. You must show evidence of daily
preparation by participating in class, answering questions from the instructor, and asking cogent
questions.
The amount of material distributed in this course is substantially higher than in a regular class. Each
period you are expected to take notes on our class activities and readings.

Plagiarism/Cheating:

Academic integrity is of paramount importance. Actions have consequences!

Cut and Paste is considered plagiarism! Always cite your sources!
It is okay to ask someone for his or her reasoning and methods, but it is not okay to copy their work.
When in doubt, cite it.
Any cheating that occurs is a zero on the assignment, a parent phone call, and a report to be placed on
your permanent file with school administration.

Grade Determination
Grades will be determined on a total point system. Your quarter average will be total points earned/total points
possible. Exams will be given at the end of each unit and will consist of multiple-choice questions and one free-
response question (simulating the AP Exam). Other assignments given to students may include class
presentations, group projects, and papers. These assignments vary with the unit being covered. Quizzes may be
administered periodically and without notice as students are expected to study the course material every night.

Examinations (50 100 points)

Writing Assignments: FRQ, papers, etc. (50 100 points)
Projects, debates, group work, etc. (will vary based on the parameters)
Quizzes (25 50 points)
In class assignments (25 points +)
**These values are not set in stone. The value of the points will be determined by the difficulty of the assignment,
time needed to complete the assignment, etc. **

Missing Work Policy:

AP Psychology is a college level course. You will be required to do work outside of the classroom. If your
assignment is not turned in on the due date, you will drop HALF OF THE VALUE (ex. 100 point paper is worth 50
points). It is essential that you keep up with the readings and hand in all of your work on time. I WILL NOT ACCEPT
E-MAIL SUBMISSIONS. All work must be typed, have the students name on it, and be stapled (if needed). If your
assignment does not have these I will consider it incomplete and I WILL NOT accept it and it will be counted late.
Furthermore if you are not in class, but in school the day an assignment is due (assembly, guidance, ambassador,
etc.) THE WORK IS STILL DUE and it must be submitted to me by hand NO EXCEPTIONS.

I will only accept emailed work if you are absent on the day the assignment is due. Failure to do so will result in a
late grade.
Extra Credit There will be no extra credit given or assigned during the school year and should not be asked for. If
the student does the work he is asked to do and keeps up with daily tasks, there is no need for extra credit.

Homework Expectations

Syllabus

- AP Psychology Mr. Rodrigues

Ample notice will be given for any assignment and at least one-week notice for unit exams. There are assigned
chapters to read in the textbook. Students are responsible to read the appropriate chapters as noted in the course
outline. Vocabulary terms for each chapter are also the students responsibility.

All homework MUST use the following header or it will NOT be accepted.
In the upper left hand corner you must have the following:
Your name
Assignment name
Your Class Section
Date Due

Typical assignments
Daily reading of the text. I cannot cover everything! Periodic quizzes will be given to check on reading
comprehension and completion.
Vocabularypsychology is very much a termed based subject. Knowing the vocabulary is essential for
success in class. Terms should be defined in such a way that you understand them. You may create a card
file of terms or create a notebook of terms.
To remain current, article reviews will be assigned. You may select a current article of your choice as long
as it covers material that will be discussed during the quarter. You will summarize each article, identify
major terms, relate the article to what weve discussed in class and try to apply it to your daily life.
Individual and group projects will be assigned at various times during the year to research topics pertinent
to the study of psychology.
We will conduct in-class and out-of-class labs/experiments that will provide hands-on understanding of
the subject matter.
As time allows, we will watch videos clips to enhance our understanding of the course. You will be asked
to critique the video/clip or answers questions related to it.

Teacher Availability:
I am available for extra help most afternoons following school dismissal. I am in the same classroom all day long
(except for my prep periods), so if you need help, please let me know.

Email Communication:
You may email me with questions at any time. I will respond to emails sent between the hours of 7am-5pm the
same day that I receive them. Should you need to send an email past 5pm, I will respond the very next day.

Format of the AP Exam
The AP Psychology Exam includes a 70-minute multiple-choice section that accounts for two-thirds of the exam
grade and a 50-minute free-response section made up of two questions that accounts for one-third of the exam
grade. Unit tests in this course will be made out to reflect the types of questions that will appear on the AP
Psychology Exam. Students will also write essays periodically, either as part of the test or as stand-alone
assignments, which are similar to the types of free-response questions that appear on the AP Psychology exam.

Course Outline:

Following is the sequence and units of study for the AP Psychology course including overview of topics to be covered
and the essential questions for each unit. All timeframes are flexible and may be amended due to interruptions for
weather, testing, and the unforeseen. This could mean that, due to time constraints, some units may be the sole
responsibility of the student.

Syllabus

- AP Psychology Mr. Rodrigues

I.

History and Approaches 2-4% of AP Exam Multiple Choice section

* The History and Approaches Section is woven throughout all units but is formally covered in this section.
A.
Logic, Philosophy, and History of Science
B.
Approaches
1. Biological
2. Behavioral

3. Cognitive

4. Humanistic

5. Psychodynamic

6. Socio-cultural

7. Evolutionary

Essential Questions:
v How do the different perspectives in psychology compare and contrast?
v Who were the movers and shakers in the evolution of psychology as a science?

II. Research Methods 8-10%

* The Research Methods Section is woven throughout all units but is formally covered in this section.
A. Experimental, Correlational, and Clinical Research
B. Statistics
1. Descriptive
2. Inferential
C. Ethics in Research

Essential Questions:
v How do psychologists use the scientific method to study behavior and mental processes?
v Which methods of research are appropriate for the study of different behaviors?
v How do psychologists draw appropriate conclusions about behavior from research?
v How do psychologists make ethical decisions about researching behavior with human and animal
subjects?

III. Biological Bases of Behavior 8-10%

A. Physiological Techniques (e.g., imaging, surgical)
B. Neuroanatomy
C. Functional Organization of Nervous System
D. Neural Transmission
E. Endocrine System
F. Genetics
G. Evolutionary Psychology

Essential Questions:
v How do biological processes relate to behavior?
v How do the biological processes work to create and sustain behavior?
v How does damage to a biological process or part affect behavior?

IV. Sensation and Perception 6-8%

A. Thresholds and Signal Detection Theory
B. Sensory Mechanisms
C. Attention
D. Perceptual Processes

Essential Questions:
v How do the five senses receive and translate signals to the brain for processing?

Syllabus

- AP Psychology Mr. Rodrigues

v How do sensation and perception differ?

v How does the brain process sensory signals accurately? Inaccurately?

V. Developmental Psychology 7-9%

A. Life-Span Approach
B. Research Methods (e.g., longitudinal, cross-sectional)
C. Heredity Environment Issues
D. Developmental Theories
E. Dimensions of Development
1. Physical
2. Cognitive
3. Social
4. Moral
F. Sex Roles and Gender Roles
Essential Question:
v How do people grow and develop physically, cognitively, socially and morally throughout the
lifespan?
VI. States of Consciousness 2-4%
A. Sleep and Dreaming
B. Hypnosis
C. Psychoactive Drug Effects

Essential Questions:
v How do psychologists define consciousness?
v What happens during the sleep cycle?
v How do psychoactive drugs affect behavior?
v How do we know whether hypnosis is a real psychological phenomenon?

VII. Learning 7-9%

A. Classical Conditioning
B. Operant Conditioning
C. Cognitive Processes
D. Biological Processes
E. Social Learning
Essential Questions:
v How do psychologists define learning?
v How do principles of classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning work to
create learning?
v What is the importance of cognitive processes and biological predispositions in conditioning and
learning?

VIII. Cognition 8-10%
A. Memory
B. Language
C. Thinking
D. Problem Solving and Creativity

Essential Questions:
v What are the processes involved in encoding, storage, and retrieval of sensory input?
v What are the various forms of memory (i.e., episodic, semantic)? Describe each.
v How are heuristics and algorithms used to solve problems?

Syllabus

- AP Psychology Mr. Rodrigues

v Describe the development and structure of language.

v What role does language play in the thought process?

IX. Testing and Individual Differences 5-7%

A. Standardization and Norms
B. Reliability and Validity
C. Types of Tests
D. Ethics and Standards in Testing
E. Intelligence

Essential Questions:
v How do psychologists define and study intelligence?
v How do psychologists know whether a test is reliable and/or valid? Why are these qualities of tests
important?
v How do testing scores differ between group and individual administrations of intelligence tests?
Between genders? Races? Socioeconomic groups?

X. Motivation and Emotion 6-8%

A. Biological Bases
B. Theories of Motivation
C. Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain
D. Social Motives
E. Theories of Emotion
F. Stress

Essential Questions:
v In what ways are humans motivated to behave?
v What methods of motivation are more effective than others?
v How does hunger operate?
v How do maladaptive eating patterns affect behavior?
v What role do emotions play in behavior?
v How does physical arousal and cognition affect emotions?
v How does stress influence health and behavior?

XI. Personality 5-7%
A. Personality Theories and Approaches
B. Assessment Techniques
C. Growth and Adjustment

Essential Questions:
v How do psychologists define and study personality?
v What advantages and limitations exist for each theorys description of personality?
v How do psychologists reliably measure personality?

XII. Abnormal Psychology 7-9%

A. Definitions of Abnormality
B. Theories of Psychopathology
C. Diagnosis of Psychopathology
D. Types of Disorders
1. Anxiety
2. Somatoform
3. Mood
4. Schizophrenic
5. Organic

Syllabus

- AP Psychology Mr. Rodrigues

6.
7.

Personality
Dissociative

Essential Questions:
v What are the criteria for determining and diagnosing abnormal behavior?
v Describe the use of the DSM-IV.
v What are the symptoms and origins of mood, personality, and dissociative disorders?
v Compare and contrast various approaches (i.e., cognitive, behavioral, biological) on the origins of
depression.
v Discuss the characteristics of recent research on the origins of schizophrenia.

XIII. Treatment of Psychological Disorders 5-7%

A. Treatment Approaches
1. Psychodynamic
2. Humanistic
3. Behavioral
4. Cognitive
5. Biological
B. Modes of Therapy (i.e., individual, group)
C. Community and Preventative Approaches

Essential Questions:
v What are the various approaches to the treatment of disorders?
v What are the goals and methods of psychoanalysis?
v What is the approach to treatment of humanist psychologists?
v Synthesize the assumptions and goals of cognitive psychology.
v What are the various biological treatments for psychological disorders?
v Differentiate among various modes of therapy such as one-on-one, group counseling, and family
therapy.

XIV. Social Psychology 8-10%
A. Group Dynamics
B. Attribution Processes
C. Interpersonal Perception
D. Conformity, Compliance, Obedience
E. Attitudes and Attitude Change
F. Organizational Behavior
G. Aggression/Antisocial Behavior
H. Cultural Influences

Essential Questions:
v How do people explain (or attribute) the behavior of others?
v How are individuals affected by groups?
v Under what conditions do people obey, conform, make friendships, find love, and help others?
v How do attitudes and actions influence individual and group behavior?

XV. Review for AP Psychology Exam

v Projects/Experiments: Review of Psychology Theories and Principles
v Testing: Practice Exams (Multiple Choice and Essay)

Syllabus

- AP Psychology Mr. Rodrigues

AP Psychology
George Washington High School, 2015 2016
School Year Instructor: Mr. Eric Rodrigues

AGREEMENT

This signed sheet must be turned in to Mr. Rodrigues by Friday, August 28th. It must be turned in
before the student will be allowed to take a test in this course. Any missed tests as a result will be
given a grade of 0 and no make-up will be given.

My student and I have read and understood the contents of Mr. Rodrigues AP Psychology course
outline. We understand how the student will be evaluated and graded in this course.

Students name (printed)

Section:

Date:

Students signature:

Parent/Guardian signature:

Parent/Guardian phone number:

Parent/Guardian email:

What is the best method for me to contact you? (Circle one)

Phone

E Mail

Syllabus - AP Psychology Mr. Rodrigues