Advanced Placement Psychology  2022-23

Amy Ponder    Room C11

Email: aponder@tcjackets.net

Google Classroom: 4th period-vj62ffx 7th period- djvxd5a

      Class Remind: @cb6777

 

Welcome to AP Psychology!  I am looking forward to a successful year.  I hope that you will find learning about psychology to be as interesting and enjoyable as I do.  Because this is an Advanced Placement class, it is crucial that you are prepared to dedicate time to reading, completing assignments, and studying.  

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Some of the materials shared in classes (ie videos and readings) may contain profanity, violence, and sexual reference. These materials will be applied only when necessary (Ex. Social Psychology and Zimbardo Stanford Prison experiment-profanity) to accomplish learning a specific portion of the required AP content.  Students will be given notice on what the material is and may be given alternate materials. 

Textbook : Myers’ Psychology for the AP Course (Third Edition). New York:  BFW Publishers 2019. (Each student will be issued one text damage/loss will result in replacement of $140.00 )

Course Description: The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental process of human beings and other animals.  Students are exposed to the psychological factors, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology . They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. ( AP Psychology Course Description- College Board)

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

 

1. Students will prepare to do acceptable work on the Advanced Placement Examination in Psychology.

2. Students will study the major core concepts and theories of psychology.  They will be able to define key terms and use these terms in their everyday vocabulary.

3. Students will learn the basic principles of psychological research.  They will be able to devise simple research projects, interpret and generalize from results, and evaluate the validity of research reports.

4. Students will be able to apply psychological concepts to their own lives.  They will be able to recognize psychological principles when they are encountered in everyday situations.

5. Students will develop critical thinking skills.  They will compare and contrast arguments in a careful manner, with objective evaluation.

6. Students will build their reading, writing, and discussion skills.

7. Students will learn about psychology as a profession and become aware of the educational requirements which must be met to pursue such careers.  They will learn about the ethical standards of governing the work of psychologists.

UNITS OF STUDY

Unit 1- Scientific Foundations of Psychology (10-14%)	Unit 4- Learning (7-8%)	Unit 7-Motivation, Emotion, and Personality (11-15%)
Unit 2- Biological Bases of Behavior (8-10%)	Unit 5-Cognitive Psychology (13-17%)	Unit 8- Clinical Psychology (12-16%)
Unit 3-Sensation and Perception (6-8%)	Unit 6-Developmental Psychology (7-9%)	Unit 9-Social Psychology (8-10%)

*Red indicates how much of each Unit is on the AP Exam

What Can You Do To Help Yourself Be Successful? 

1. Don't miss class.

2. Your number one goal should be to learn psychology.  If you are determined to learn, everything else will fall into place.

3. Don't be afraid to get help if you do not understand something.  

4. Keep up!  Don't let yourself fall behind.  Set a schedule and be disciplined enough to stick to it.  Complete assignments and finish reading on time.  Be prepared for class everyday.  Review each week.

5. Take complete class notes.  Put them in your own words.  Leave space on your reading notes to take class notes.  Review your class notes each day while they are fresh in your mind.

6. Learn to read more effectively.  It is impossible to cover all the material in class; therefore, it is imperative that you keep up with your reading and assignments in order to be prepared for each test and the AP Exam. 

   1. Read actively.  Effectively reading a college-level text requires a great deal more effort and concentration than leisure novels do.

   2. Preview a chapter before you begin to read.  Review frequently as you read.  Pause at the end of each paragraph and summarize mentally in your own words.

   3. Do not try to read an entire chapter at once.  It is divided for a reason!

   4. Do not ignore pictures, diagrams, tables, and sidebars in your book.  

7. Form a study group.  This is an excellent way to help one another and have a good time as well.

8. Vocabulary is half the battle. Thus, I have learned from many other AP Psychology instructors that it is best to require a frequent assessment in the areas of vocabulary.  The vocabulary used in the text and on the AP test will be required knowledge. To demonstrate mastery, we will have quizzes on vocabulary and vocabulary cards will be a weekly or biweekly requirement. 

Policies 

1. Some assignments must be hand-written, some will be computer originated.  Notes will be in guided note form. Vocabulary 3x5 cards will also be handwritten.

2. Late work is not accepted. 

3. Please do not use my class to work on material for other classes.  Please do not try to make up for a missed day by copying notes during class on the day you get back (this should be done on your time).

4. Don't cheat.  Don't put yourself in any position where I am forced to judge your honesty.  The damage to your integrity and reputation is difficult, if not impossible, to repair.  It's much too great a price to pay.

 

The AP Exam in Psychology: Date: Tuesday- May 9, 2023 (at Noon) 

Description

  

The AP Psychology Exam is broken into two separate portions:

• 100 MULTIPLE CHOICE questions in 70 minutes ( one hour and ten minutes). This will account for 2/3 (66.7%)of  the exam grade.There are no penalties for wrong answers on M.C. questions, students are encouraged to complete all 100 questions.  

 

• TWO FRQ (Free responseQuestions). The test taker must answer each question.  The student must finish both questions within a 50 minute period. These questions will account for 1/3 (33.3%) of the exam grade.  The two essay questions require candidates to interrelate different content areas and to analyze and evaluate psychological constructs and, more generally, theoretical perspectives.  Candidates are expected to use their analytical and organizational skills to formulate coherent answers in writing their essays. 

 

The AP test is scored on a 5-point scale: 

 

5-Extremely well qualified 

4-Well qualified 

3-Qualified 

2-Possibly qualified 

1-No recommendation 

Most colleges give credit for 3 and above. 

Grading Calculation: 

45%- Tests and Projects

20%- Quizzes/FRQ/Homework Assignments

15%-  Index Cards  

20%- Cumulative Benchmarks 

 

Assessed Each Week: 

Handwritten Index 3X5 (this size only) Cards (Turned in weekly, sometimes bi-weekly ) 

Vocabulary Quizzes (Weekly, sometimes bi-weekly)

Reading Quizzes (announced and "pop" to assess reading assignments)

Free Response Questions (Weekly and bi-weekly)

Tests (cumulative and non-cumulative: weekly or bi weekly)

• There will be NO RETAKES on tests. This is a high stakes test based course and understanding that you are responsible for the outcome on tests is important!

 

Recommended Supplies:

• Three Ring Binder (1-3”)

• 3 x5 Index Cards (plain or ruled for vocabulary (This will be done the entire year...one student last year said buy around 800!!!)

• Writing Utensil (no red or metallic, please)

• Recommended, but not required:

Barron's AP Psychology

Five steps to a Five AP Psychology

Princeton Review: Cracking the AP Psychology Exam 

Crash Course Psychology 

Remember ...Keep in mind that your level of motivation is much more important than your ability level.  If you want to succeed in this course, and if you are willing to put in the necessary effort, YOU WILL SUCCEED!  Attitude, study skills, determination, and discipline count for far more than intelligence.  Remember, the more you put in the more you will get out of it!!