COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is a survey of psychology that introduces students to the major topics of the field, the terminology and methodology of psychology, and the historical and current understanding of human behavior and thought-processes. Students learn to analyze human experiences like psychologists do and to apply what they have learned to the world around them. The focus of the course is to prepare students to take the Advanced Placement Psychology course administered by the College Board in the spring of each year.

PREREQUISITES:

None

COURSE LENGTH:

One semester

REQUIRED TEXT:

Psychology in Modules, 8th Edition, David Myers

COURSE OUTLINE:

Introduction to Psychology

• History of Psychology
• Thinking Like a Psychologist
• Research Strategies in Psychology

The Biological Basis of Behavior

• The Nervous and Hormonal Systems
• Nature, Nurture, and Human Diversity

Human Development and Awareness

• Life Span Development
• Sensation and Perception
• States of Consciousness

Human Cognition

• Learning
• Memory
• Thinking, Language
• Intelligence

Human Motivation and Emotion

• Motivation
• Emotion
• Stress and Health

Human Interaction

• Personality
• Psychological Disorders
• Therapy
• Social Psychology

Course Review

• Preparing for the Exam
• Final Exam