AP Psychology Course Outline

Welcome to your comprehensive guide to AP Psychology! This course explores human behavior and mental processes through scientific observation and research. You'll develop a deep understanding of psychological theories, concepts, and the methods psychologists use to investigate the mind and behavior.

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled." — Plutarch

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Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior

This unit explores the relationship between physiological processes and behavior. You'll study the structure and function of the nervous system, the role of genetics, brain structures, sleep processes, and how we detect and process sensory information.

Interaction of Heredity and Environment

Explore how genetic factors and environmental influences interact to shape behavior and psychological characteristics.

Overview of the Nervous System

Study the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems and how they coordinate behavior.

The Neuron and Neural Firing

Examine the structure of neurons, the process of neural transmission, and how neurons communicate through neurotransmitters.

The Brain

Investigate the structure and functions of different brain regions and how they contribute to behavior and mental processes.

Sleep

Learn about sleep stages, circadian rhythms, sleep disorders, and the physiological and psychological functions of sleep.

Sensation

Study how our sensory systems detect and transmit information from the environment to the brain for processing.

Unit 2: Cognition

This unit explores how humans perceive, process, store, and retrieve information. You'll study perception, thinking processes, memory systems, factors that influence memory, and theories of intelligence and its measurement.

Perception

Examine how we organize and interpret sensory information to form meaningful representations of our environment.

Thinking, Problem-Solving, Judgments, and Decision-Making

Study how we mentally represent information, solve problems, make judgments, and reach decisions.

Introduction to Memory

Explore the processes and systems involved in encoding, storing, and retrieving information from memory.

Encoding Memories

Learn about the processes through which information is transformed into a form that can be stored in memory.

Storing Memories

Investigate how memories are maintained over time in different memory systems, including sensory, short-term, and long-term memory.

Retrieving Memories

Study the processes through which stored information is accessed and brought back into consciousness.

Forgetting and Other Memory Challenges

Examine why and how we forget information, as well as factors that can distort or alter our memories.

Intelligence and Achievement

Explore theories of intelligence, how intelligence is measured, and factors that influence cognitive ability and achievement.

Unit 3: Development and Learning

This unit explores how humans develop and learn across the lifespan. You'll study developmental theories, physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development, language acquisition, and different forms of learning, including classical and operant conditioning.

Themes and Methods in Developmental Psychology

Explore the key principles and research approaches used to study human development across the lifespan.

Physical Development Across the Lifespan

Study how the human body develops from conception through old age, including brain development and motor skills.

Gender and Sexual Orientation

Examine the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence gender identity and sexual orientation development.

Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan

Investigate how thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving abilities develop from infancy through adulthood.

Communication and Language Development

Learn about the processes through which humans acquire language and develop communication skills.

Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan

Study how social relationships, emotional understanding, and personality develop throughout life.

Classical Conditioning

Examine how new associations between stimuli are formed through pairing, leading to learned responses.

Operant Conditioning

Study how behaviors are strengthened or weakened based on their consequences through reinforcement and punishment.

Social, Cognitive, and Neurological Factors in Learning

Explore how observational learning, cognitive processes, and brain mechanisms contribute to learning.

Unit 4: Social Psychology and Personality

This unit explores how people perceive, influence, and relate to one another, as well as the nature of individual differences. You'll study attribution processes, attitude formation, social influence, personality theories, motivation, and emotion.

Attribution Theory and Person Perception

Examine how people explain the causes of behavior and form impressions of others based on limited information.

Attitude Formation and Attitude Change

Study how attitudes develop, how they influence behavior, and the processes through which they can be changed.

Psychology of Social Situations

Investigate how social contexts influence individual behavior, including conformity, obedience, and group dynamics.

Psychodynamic and Humanistic Theories of Personality

Explore theories that emphasize unconscious processes and the role of self-actualization in personality development.

Social-Cognitive and Trait Theories of Personality

Study theories that focus on how learning, cognitive processes, and enduring characteristics shape personality.

Motivation

Examine the biological, psychological, and social factors that activate, direct, and sustain behavior.

Emotion

Learn about theories of emotion, emotional expression, and the relationship between physiological arousal and emotional experience.

Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health

This unit explores psychological health and well-being. You'll study the relationship between psychological factors and physical health, positive psychology approaches, the nature and classification of psychological disorders, and various treatment approaches.

Introduction to Health Psychology

Explore how psychological factors influence physical health, illness, and healthcare practices.

Positive Psychology

Study the scientific approach to understanding and promoting well-being, happiness, and human flourishing.

Explaining and Classifying Psychological Disorders

Examine different perspectives on the causes of psychological disorders and how they are diagnosed and classified.

Selection of Categories of Psychological Disorders

Study the characteristics, symptoms, and potential causes of specific categories of psychological disorders.

Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Investigate various approaches to treating psychological disorders, including psychotherapy, biomedical therapies, and integrated approaches.

Study Tips for AP Psychology

Understanding Key Concepts

Create Concept Maps: Visually connect related psychological concepts to understand their relationships
Apply Psychological Principles: Relate concepts to real-life situations to deepen understanding
Study Both Breadth and Depth: Know the major theories and their key details within each domain
Learn Key Researchers: Associate major studies with the psychologists who conducted them
Understand Research Methods: Be able to identify the appropriate research method for different psychological questions

Exam Preparation Strategies

Master Psychological Terminology: Create flashcards for key terms and their precise definitions
Practice Application Questions: Focus on applying concepts to scenarios rather than just memorizing facts
Analyze Research Studies: Practice identifying independent and dependent variables, controls, and research designs
Write Practice FRQs: Regularly practice structuring clear, evidence-based responses to free-response questions
Review Across Units: Look for connections between different psychological domains (e.g., how biological factors influence cognition)

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