This Advanced Placement Psychology course is equivalent to a college-level introductory Psychology course. The rigor of this course is consistent with colleges and universities and will prepare students for the Advanced Placement exam in May. Upon successful completion of the exam, students may receive college credit and will be well-prepared for the advanced coursework. Additional details about this course from the College Board can be found here: AP Psychology.
In this course, students will explore the five pillars of psychology:
- Biological Bases of Behavior
- Cognition
- Development and Learning
- Social Psychology
- Mental and Physical Health
Through five corresponding units of study, plus an introductory unit on Research Methods, students will investigate a variety of subtopics including but not limited to, neuroscience, consciousness and sensation, perception, memory and intelligence, lifespan development and learning, attitude formation, attitude change and personality, and health psychology and treatment of psychological disorders.
AP Psychology is designed for dedicated and focused high school students who are interested in both social studies and science. This course provides an in-depth analysis of human behavior as we discover the underlying workings of sensation, cognition, emotions, and social influence. Students will gain valuable insight into the workings of our minds and build critical thinking skills essential for students’ journeys ahead. We will expand our understanding of human behavior and the latest scientific research that is shaping the field of psychology while developing scientific skills in content application, research methods and design, data interpretation, and argumentation.
The AP® curriculum stresses higher-order thinking skills within a rigorous academic context. Throughout the year in AP Psychology, students will refine skills in applying psychological theories and concepts to real-life situations. Students will be required to frequently memorize, comprehend, and apply psychological concepts. Students will gain confidence in research methods and design by conducting experiments, surveys, and case studies. By analyzing data from a variety of sources, students will regularly interpret data and gain deeper insights into human behavior. In addition, students will develop argumentation skills through structured essay writing, effectively articulating and defending viewpoints with evidence-based reasoning.
Students will be expected to enroll in My AP Classroom through their VHS Learning AP course and will be guided to complete review work in My AP Classroom throughout the year. My AP Classroom resources include AP Daily Videos and unit-based Personal Progress Checks, which include AP-style multiple-choice and free-response questions.
Students enrolled in VHS Learning Advanced Placement courses with a passing grade are expected to take the AP Exam. Students register for AP exams through their local school or testing site as “Exam Only” students. AP exam scores will be reported to VHS Learning through My AP Classroom; exam results will not affect the student’s VHS Learning grade or future enrollment in VHS Learning courses.
About the Self-Paced Course Model
Self-Paced courses are comprehensive, self-paced courses designed for students who need or desire more flexibility in their academic schedule. VHS Learning teachers will regularly interact with students in asynchronous discussions, will host weekly office hours, and will invite students to monthly 1-on-1 progress meetings. Teachers will support students, answer questions, and provide feedback on work. Students will work independently on course activities; the course does not include class discussion assignments or other collaborative work.
Students may start this course on any Wednesday from September through the first Wednesday in December. Students must maintain enrollment for a minimum of 20 weeks and have until mid-June to complete all assignments in the course. It is expected that students will work for approximately 330 hours to complete this course, though the amount of time may vary depending on a student’s work habits and comfort with the material.
Course Essential Questions:
- How can psychology be applied to our everyday lives?
- How does the application of psychological principles and scientific skills help us explain human behavior and mental processes?
- How does psychology help us understand why individuals behave the way they do?
- How do psychologists use research evidence to construct and validate arguments?
Course Learning Objectives:
- Apply psychological perspectives, theories, concepts, and research findings to explain human behavior.
- Evaluate qualitative and quantitative research methods and study designs.
- Evaluate representations of psychological concepts in quantitative and qualitative research, including tables, graphs, charts, figures, and diagrams.
- Develop and justify psychological arguments using evidence.