MT. DIABLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT COURSE OF STUDY

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1 MT. DIABLO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT COURSE OF STUDY COURSE TITLE: AP PSYCHOLOGY COURSE NUMBER: 3774 DEPARTMENT: History/Social Science GRADE LEVEL(s): 11 and/ or 12 CREDITS PER SEMESTER: 5 LENGTH OF COURSE: 1 year REQUIRED OR ELECTIVE: Elective BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPTION: PREREQUISITES: Successful Application * BOARD OF EDUCATION ADOPTION: August 10, 2010 COURSE DESCRIPTION: The aim of A.P. Psychology is to provide students with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses and to prepare students for successful completion of the A.P. exam. The course will introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the 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 subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice. 1. MAJOR GOALS 1.1 To gain an understanding of the scientific and biological basis of behavior paying particular attention to anatomical and functional relationships among central somatic, autonomic nervous systems 1.2 To comprehend emergence of scientific psychology from the 19 th century through current major schools of thought 1.3 To develop critical thinking skills and master a body of knowledge that will allow students to successfully complete the A.P. exam 1.4 To evaluate a valid psychological research study 1.5 To recognize that individual differences in behavior range from normal to abnormal 1.6 To gain an awareness of treatments of psychological disorders through an overview of the approaches used by therapists of different treatment orientations 2. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES 2.1 Knowledge *procedure attached

2 2.2 Skills Identify and explain different schools of psychology Understand elementary descriptive statistics used in analyzing data Gain knowledge about the measurements of absolute and difference thresholds and the physical, physiological and psychological variables affecting those measurements Distinguish between the different states of consciousness Identify the basic phenomena of learning, such as acquisition, spontaneous recovery, generalization, discrimination, and higher order conditioning Recognize the process involved in cognitive psychology as concerned with processes involved in the transformation, reduction, elaboration, storage, recovery, and use of sensory input Understand the biological basis for behavior Explain the forces that influence the strength and direction of behavior Recognize and differentiate the physical, cognitive, social, and moral dimensions of developmental psychology Understand the major theories and approaches to personality Distinguish among the various types of assessment of human differences in aptitude, intelligence, interests and personality Recognize criteria that identify behavior as abnormal Demonstrate knowledge of the various approaches used by therapists of different treatment orientations Understand the basic concepts of social cognition Acquire information through listening, observing, reading, and utilizing community resources Locate and evaluate information in/offered by textbooks, encyclopedias, specialized dictionaries, almanacs, periodicals, publications, newspapers, presentations, experts, Internet, and other electronic media Extract and interpret information from graphs, charts, tables, cartoons, and pictures

3 2.2.4 Communicate orally and in writing Formulate appropriate critical thinking questions Draw possible conclusions or inferences from evidence and develop alternative explanations Make and test hypotheses Distinguish between primary and secondary sources Identify examples of bias and prejudice in society Evaluate the emotional and intellectual content of cultural attitudes 3. CONTENT OUTLINE 3.1 Methods, Approaches, History Logic, Philosophy, and History of Science Approaches Biological Behavioral Cognitive Humanistic Psychodynamic Experimental, Correlational, and Clinical Research Statistics Descriptive Inferential Ethics in Research 3.2 Biological Bases of Behavior Physiological Techniques Neuroanatomy Functional Organization of Nervous System Neural Transmission Endocrine System Genetics

4 3.3 Sensation and Perception Thresholds Sensory Mechanisms Receptor Processes Sensory Adaptation Attention Perceptual Processes 3.4 States of Consciousness Sleep and Dreaming Hypnosis Psychoactive Drug Effects 3.5 Learning Biological Factors Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Social Learning Cognitive Processes in Learning 3.6 Cognition Memory Language Thinking Problem Solving and Creativity 3.7 Motivation and Emotion Biological Bases Theories of Motivation

5 3.7.3 Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain Social Motives Theories of Emotion Stress 3.8 Developmental Psychology Life Span Approach Research Methods (e.g. longitudinal, cross-sectional) Heredity-Environment Issues Developmental Theories Dimensions of Development Physical Cognitive Social Moral Sex Roles, Sex Difference 3.9 Personality Personality Theories and Approaches Research Methods Assessment Techniques Self-concept, Self-esteem Growth and Adjustment 3.10 Testing and Individual Differences Standardization and Norms Reliability and Validity Types of Tests Ethics and Standards in Testing

6 Intelligence Heredity/ Environment and Intelligence Human Diversity 3.11 Abnormal Psychology Definitions of Abnormality Theories of Psychopathology Diagnosis of Psychopathology Anxiety Disorders Somatoform Disorders Mood Disorders Schizophrenic Disorders Organic Disorders Personality Disorders Dissociative Disorders 3.12 Treatment of Psychological Disorders Treatment Approaches Insight Therapies: (Psychodynamic/Phenomenological Approaches) Behavioral Approaches Cognitive Approaches Biological Therapies Modes of Therapy (e.g., individual, group) Community and Preventive Approaches 3.13 Social Psychology Group Dynamics Attribution Processes Interpersonal Perception

7 Conformity, Compliance, Obedience Attitudes and Attitude Change Organizational Behavior Agression/ Antisocial Behavior (Subsequent courses of study will reflect updated content from the College Board.) 4. TIME ESTIMATES The percent of time spent on each content area should reflect the emphasis provided by the Advanced Placement Psychology course outline. 5. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS 5.1 Textbooks and support materials 5.2 Curriculum guide (Standards as set by the College Board) 5.3 Films, video tapes, slide presentations, CD-ROM 5.4 Scientific data and research studies 5.5 Internet access and library materials. 6. EVALUATION OF STUDENT PROGRESS 6.1 Class participation 6.2 Testing (quiz and exam) 6.3 Oral presentations 6.4 Research projects and/or papers 6.5 Essay Committee Members: Jacki Della Rosa, Clayton Valley High School Tom Turnbull, Clayton Valley High School Bette Spagel, College Park High School Alec Thompson, Concord High School Sarah West, Mt. Diablo High School Joe Poppas, Mt. Diablo High School Jed Morrow, Ygnacio Valley High School

8 Evie Groch, Curriculum Specialist