AP Psychology | Examples

Course Curriculum

Start Next Lesson Major historical figures in Psychology

Unit 1: Scientific Foundations of Psychology

Major historical figures in Psychology

Theoretical approaches to describing behavior

Branches of psychology

A Variety of Research Methods used by Psychologists

The Application of Research Design and Statistical Analysis in Psychology

Ethical Guidelines

Unit 2: Biological Bases of Behavior

The Interaction of Inherited Traits, Environment, and Evolution in Shaping behavior

Structures and Functions of Biological Systems, including the Endocrine System and Nervous System

Brain Function, Neural Firing, and the Influence of Medication

The Study of the Brain and Research Techniques for Studying its Structure and Function

States of Consciousness, Including Sleeping and Dreaming

Addiction and Drug Dependence

Unit 3: Sensation and Perception

Basic Principles of How Humans Experience and Process Stimuli

The Role of Experience and Culture in Perception

The Mechanisms of the 5 Senses and Sensory Disorders

Unit 4: Learning

Influential Researchers and Theories of Learning

Results of Famous Learning Experiments

Types of Learning

Types of Conditioning and Their Effects

Social and Cognitive Factors in Learning

Unit 5: Cognitive Psychology

The Cognitive and Physiological Processes that Make up Memory

Forgetting and Typical Memory Errors

The Biological Basis of Short- and Long-Term Memory

Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Strategies

Biases and Errors in Thinking

Defining and Measuring Intelligence

The Processes of Learning and Using Language

Unit 6: Developmental Psychology

Physical and Social Development in Childhood

Theories of Cognitive Development in Childhood

Adolescent Development and Challenges

Adulthood and Aging

Theories of Moral Development

Gender and Sexual Orientation

Unit 7: Motivation, Emotion, and Personality

Theories of Motivation Behind Human and Animal Behavior

Major Theories of Emotion

The Effects of Stress

Conceptions of Personality, including Behaviorist, Social Cognitive, Humanistic, and Trait Theories

Research and Assessments to Measure Personality

Unit 8: Clinical Psychology

Standards for Diagnosing and Approaches to Explaining Psychological Disorders

Neurodevelopmental and Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders

Bipolar, Depressive, Anxiety, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Dissociative, somatic, and trauma- and stress-related disorders

Substance abuse, eating disorders, personality disorders, and related conditions

Historical developments in psychological treatment

Modern treatment options and methods

Unit 9: Social Psychology

How social and cultural categories like gender and race can impact self-concept and behavior

The factors that lead people to form and change attitudes

Group dynamics, including conformity, compliance, and obedience to authority

Types of behavior caused by the presence of others

Bias, prejudice, and discrimination

Altruism and aggression

The variables that contribute to attraction