Unit 0 - Science Practices

Confirmation Bias
Hindsight bias
Overconfidence
Independent vs. Dependent Variable
Random Assignment
Case Study
Correlation
Meta-Analysis
Naturalistic Observation
Hypothesis
Falsifiable Hypothesis
Operational Definitions
Confounding Variables / Third Variable Problem
Histogram
Scatterplot (Correlational Coefficient)
Central Tendency
Variation
Percentile Rank
Range
Standard Normal Curve (Percentages of distributions, Skewness, Biomodal Distribution)
Mean, Median, Mode, Range, Standard Deviation, and Percentile Rank in a set of data
Regression toward the mean occurs when more data is collected.
Population
Representative Sample, Random Sample, Convenience Sampling
Sampling Bias
Generalization
Experimental and Control Groups
Placebo
Single-Blind vs. Double-Blind
Experimenter Bias
Social Desirability Bias
Qualitative (Structured Interviews)
Quantitative Measures (Likert Scales)
Peer Review & Replication
Statistical Significance
Size of Sample and Statistical Significance
Correlation does NOT equal causation
Self-Report Bias
Social Desirability Bias
Institutional Review Board
Animal Research Ethical Standards
Human Ethical Research Standards: Informed Consent, Protection from Harm, Confidentiality,
Deception/Confederates, Debriefing
Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior

1.1 - Interaction of Heredity and Environment

Heredity “Nature” versus Environmental factors “Nurture”
Evolutionary Perspective and Natural Selection (Eugenics)
Twin studies, family studies, and adoption studies

1.2 - Overview of Nervous System

Central Nervous System
Peripheral Nervous System
Autonomic and Somatic Nervous System
Somatic Nervous System

1.3 - The Neuron and Neural Firing

Neural Systems and Glial Cells
Spinal Cord Reflex / Reflex Arc: Sensory Neurons, Motor Neurons, Interneurons
All or nothing principle, depolarization, refractory period, resting potential, reuptake and threshold
Multiple Sclerosis and Myasthenia Gravis

1.4 - The Brain

Brain Stem: Medulla, Reticular Activating System, Cerebellum
Cerebral Cortex: Hemispheres, Limbic System (Thalamus, Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland, Hippocampus,
Amygdala), Corpus Callosum, and Lobes of Cortex
Occipital Lobe
Temporal Lobe
Parietal Lobe (Somatosensory Cortex)
Frontal Lobe (Motor Cortex)
Split Brain Research (Corpus Callosum)
Epilepsy
Broca’s Areas
Werenickes
Aphasia
Contralateral Hemispheric Organization
Brain Plasticity
EEG, fMRI, Lesioning
Neurotransmitters: Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, Glutamate, GABA, Endorphins, Substance P and
Acetylcholine
Excitatory / Inhibitory Messages
Hormones: Adrenaline, Leptin, Ghrelin, Melatonin and Oxytocin
Endocrine System: Pituitary Gland
Agonists and Antagonist
Stimulants: Caffeine and Cocaine
Depressants: Alcohol
Hallucinogen: Marijuana
Opioids: Heroin
Psychoactive Drugs
Addiction
Withdrawal
1.5 - Sleep
Consciousness
Circadian Rhythm: Jet Lag & Shift Work
EEG Waves Sleep Stages
NREM
Hyponogogic Sensation
REM: Paradoxical Sleep, REM Deprivation & REM Rebound
Dream Theories: Consolidation Theory, Activation-Synthesis
Effects of sleep deprivation
Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, narcolepsy, REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep apnea, and somnambulism

1.6 - Sensation
Sensation
Absolute Threshold
Just-Noticeable Difference (Weber’s Law)
Sensory Adaptation
Synesthesia
Sensory Interaction
Structures of Eye: Retina, Transduction, Blind Spot, Lens (Accommodation), Rods, Cones, Fovea, Ganglion
Cells
Nearsightedness / Farsightedness
Trichromatic Theory
Opponent-Process Theory
Wavelength and Color
Afterimage Effect
Color Vision Deficiency
Prosopagnosia
Blindsight
Wavelengths vs Amplitude for vision and hearing
Theories of Hearing: place theory, volley theory, and frequency theory
Sound Localization
Conduction Hearing Loss
Sensorineural Deafness
Olfaction
Pheromones
Gustation & 6 Tastes: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Bitter, Umami & Olegustus
Supertasters, Medium Tasters or Nontasters
Smell and Taste are connected, and both are chemical senses.
Hot = Warm & Cold skin receptor activation.
Gate Control Theory
Phantom Limb Sensations
Vestibular sense & Semicirucular Canals
Kinesthesis
Unit 2: Cognition

2.1 - Perception
Perception
Bottom-Up Processing & Top-Down Processing
Schemas: Assimilation & Accommodation
Perceptual Sets
Context, Experience, and Cultural Experiences on Perception
Gestalt Principles: Closure, Figure and Ground, Proximity and Similarity
Attention’s impact on internal and external processes.
Cocktail Party Effect
Inattentional Blindness
Change Blindness
Binocular Cues: Retinal Disparity & Convergence
Monocular Cues: Relative Clarity, Relative Size, Texture Gradient, Linear Perspective, and Interposition
Perceptual Constancies: Shape & Size
Relative Motion

2.2 - Thinking, Problem-Solving, Judgments, and Decision Making

Concepts
Prototypes
Schemas: Assimilation & Accommodation
Algorithms
Heuristics
Representative Heuristic
Availability Heuristic
Mental Set
Priming
Framing
Gambler’s Fallacy
Sunk-Cost Fallacy
Executive Functions
Creativity
Divergent vs. Convergent Thinking
Functional Fixedness

2.3 - Introduction to Memory

Explicit Memory: Episodic & Semantic
Implicit Memory: Procedural memory
Prospective Memory
Long-Term Potentiation
Working Memory Model: Central Executive, Phonological Loop and Visuospatial Sketchpad
Multi-store Model of Memory
Sensory: Iconic & Echoic Memory
Short Term Memroy
Long-Term Memory
Automatic vs. Effortful Processing
Encoding, Storage & Retrieval
Level of Processing Model: Structural, Phonemic & Semantic Encoding
2.4 - Encoding Memories
Encoding
Mnemonic Devices: Method of Loci
Chunking
Spacing Effect
Mass Practice vs. Distributed Practice
Serial Position Effect: Primacy Effect vs. Recency Effect

2.5 - Storing Memories

Memory: Sensory, Short-Term, Working and Long-Term
Rehearsal & Elaborative Rehearsal help Retention
Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory
Amnesia: Retrograde, Anterograde & Infantile
Alzheimer’s Disease

2.6 - Retrieving memories

Retrieval Process
Recall vs. Recognition
Context-Dependent Memory
Mood-Congruent Memory
State-Dependent Memory
Testing-Effect
Meta-cognition

2.7 - Forgetting and Other Memory Challenges

Forgetting Curve
Encoding Failure
Interference: Proactive & Retroactive
Inadequate Retrieval: Tip of the Tongue
Repression
Misinformation Effect
Source Amnesia
Constructive Memory: Memory Consolidation & Imagination Inflation

2.8 - Intelligence and Achievement

IQ, IQ Testing & Bias
General Intelligence (G Factor) vs. Multiple Intelligences
Original Calculation: Mental Age x100
Chronological Age
Psychometrics
Standardization vs. Factor Analysis
Validity
Reliability: Test-Retest & Split-Half
Stereotype Threat vs. Stereotyple Lift
Flynn Effect
Socio-cultural Bias, Poverty Discrimination, Educational Inequalities
Achievement Test vs. Aptitude Tests
Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset
Unit 3: Development & Learning

3.1 - Themes and Methods in Developmental Psychology

Developmental Psychology
Stability vs. Change
Nature vs. Nurture
Continuous vs. Discontinuous Stages of Development
Longitudinal vs. Cross-Sectional Study

3.2 - Physical Development Across the Lifespan

Teratogens
Rooting Reflex
Visual Cliff & Depth Perception
Critical / Sensitive Periods
Imprinting
Primary vs. Secondary Sex Characteristics
Menarche vs. Spermarche

3.3 - Gender & Sexual Orientation

3.4 - Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan

Jean Piaget
Schemas: Assimilation & Accommodation
1) Sensorimotor Stage: Mental Symbols, Pretend Play & Object Permanence
2) Preoperational Stage: Conservation, Reversibility, Animism, Egocentrism, Theory of Mind
3) Concrete Operational Stage: Logical, however, struggle with systematic thinking
4) Formal Operational Stage: Hypothetical & Abstract Thinking
Lev Vygotsky & Zone of Proximal Development
Crystalized vs. Fluid Intelligence
Dementia

3.5 - Communication & Language Development

Language
Phonemes
Morphemes
Semantics
Grammar
Syntax
Productive Language
Receptive Language
Language Development Stages: Cooing, Babbling, One-Word, Two-Word (Telegraphic Speech)
Overgeneralization of Words & Grammar

3.6 - Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan

Ecological systems Theory: Microsystems, Mesosystem, Exosystem, Macrosystem, Chronosystem
Parenting Styles: Authoritative, Authoritarian and Permissive
Attachment Styles: Secure vs. Insecure (Avoidant, Anxious, Disorganized)
Attachment Styles & Future Relationships
Temperament
Separation Anxiety
Harlow’s Monkey Experiment & Contact Comfort
Parallel Play and Pretend Play
Adolescent Egocentrism
Social Clock & Culture
Erik Erikson’s Psychosocial Theory of Development: Trust & Mistrust, Autonomy & Shame / Doubt,
Initiative and Guilt, Industry and Inferiority, Identity and Role Confusion, Intimacy vs. Isolation, Generativity vs.
Stagnation, Integrity & Despair
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Adolescent Sence of Identity: Achievement, Diffusion, Foreclosure, and Moratorium

3.7 - Classical Conditioning

Behavioral Perspective of Learning
Acquisition
Associative Learning
Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS)
Unconditioned Response (UCR)
Conditioned Response (CR)
Conditioned Stimulus (CS)
Neutral Stimulus (NS)
Proper Order of Conditioning
Extinction
Spontaneous Recovery
Stimulus Generalization vs. Stimulus Discrimination
Higher Order Conditioning
Emotions & Classical Conditioning
Counterconditioning & Therapy
Taste Aversions
Habituation vs. Sensory Adaptation

3.8 - Operant Conditioning

Reinforcement
Punishment
Law of Effect
Positive Reinforcement vs. Negative Reinforcement
Positive Punishment vs. Negative Reinforcement
Primary vs. Secondary Reinforcers
Reinforcement Discrimination and Reinforcement Generalization
Shaping
Instinctive Drift
Superstitious Behavior
Learned Helplessness
Schedules of Reinforcement: Partial vs. Continuous
Fixed Ratio vs. Fixed Interval
Variable Ratio vs. Variable Interval
3.9 - Social, Cognitive & Neurological Factors in Learning
Social Learning Theory
Vicarious Conditioning
Insight Learning
Latent Learning
Cognitive Maps

Unit 4: Social Psychology & Personality

4.1 - Attribution Theory and Person Perception

Attributions: Dispositional Attributions vs. Situational Attributions
Explanatory Style: Optimistic vs. Pessimistic
Bias in Attributions: Actor/Observer Bias, Fundamental Attribution Error, Self-Serving Bias
Mere Exposure Effect
Self-fulfilling Prophecy
Social-Comparison (upward / downward)
Relative-Deprivation

4.2 - Attitude Formation and Attitude Change

Stereotype
Attitudes
Prejudice
Discrimination
Implicit Attitudes vs. Explicit Attitudes
Just World Phenomenon
Out-Group Homogeneity Bias
In-Group Bias
Ethnocentrism
Belief Perseverance
Confirmation Bias
Cognitive Dissonance vs. Cognitive Consistency

4.3 - Psychology of Social Situations

Social Norms
Social Influence Theory: Normative or Informational
Persuasion Techniques: Central vs. Peripheral Route to Persuasion
Halo Effect (Type of Peripheral Route)
Foot-in-the-Door Technique
Door-in-the Face Technique
Conformity
Obedience & Authority
Individualism vs. Collectivism vs. Multiculturalism
Group Polarization vs. Group Think
Diffusion of Responsibility vs. Social Loafing
Deindividualism
Social Facilitation
False Consensus Effect
Superordinate Goals vs. Social Trap
Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychologists
Altruism
Social Responsibility Norm vs. Social Reciprocity Norm
Bystander Effect vs. Diffusion of Responsibility vs. Social Loafing

4.4 - Psychodynamic and Humanistic Theories of Personality

Psychodynamic Theory of Personality
Psychosexual Theory of Personality*
ID*, EGO, SUPEREGO*
EGO Defense Mechanisms: (Denial, Displacement, Projection, Rationalization, Reaction Formation,
Regression, Repression, Sublimation)
Projective Personality Tests
Levels of Consciousness: Conscious, Preconscious, Nonconcious, Unconscious
Humanistic Psychology: Unconditional Positive Regard, Self-Actualizing Tendency

* means it is not on the AP exam; however, it is included here to provide a history of the psychodynamic theory
of personality.

4.5 - Social-Cognitive and Trait Theories of Personality

Social-Cognitive Theory: Reciprocal determinism, Self-Concept, Self-Efficacy, Self-Esteem
Trait Theories of Personality: Big Five Theory of Personality (OCEAN)
Factor Analysis

4.6 - Motivation
Drive Reduction Theory
Homeostasis
Optimum Arousal Theory
Yerkes Dodson Law
Instincts
Lewin’s Motivational Conflicts: Approach-Approach, Avoidance-Avoidance, Approach-Avoidance & Double
Approach Avoidant
Sensation-Seeking Theory
Eating Psychology: Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland, Grehlin, Social Cues, Time of Day

4.7 - Emotion
Physiological and Cognitive Experiences: Occur in Succession vs. Occur Simultaneously vs. Cognitive Label
Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Broaden-and-Build Theory of Emotion
Universal Emotions: Anger, Disgust, Sadness, Happiness, Surprise and Fear
Display Rules and Elicitors
Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health
5.1 - Introduction to Health Psychology
Stress & Physiological Issues
Stressors: Eustress, Distress & Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): Alarm, Resistance, Exhaustion
Tend-and-Befriend Theory
Problem-Focused Coping
Emotion-Focused Coping

5.2 - Positive Psychology

Positive Psychology
Gratitude
Subjective Well-Being: Wisdom, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance and Transcendence
Posttraumatic Growth

5.3 - Explaining and Classifying Psychological Disorders

Identify Psychological Disorder: Level of Dysfunction, Perception of Distress and Deviation from Social
Norms
Positive & Negative Impacts of Diagnosing Psychological Disorders
American Psychiatric Association (APA): Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5)
World Health Organization (WHO): International Classification of Mental Disorders (ICD)
Eclectic Approach in Diagnosing & Treating
Behavioral Perspective
Psychodynamic Perspective
Humanistic Perspective
Cognitive Perspective
Evolutionary Perspective
Sociocultural Perspective
Biological Perspective
Biopsychosocial Model
Diathesis-Stress Model

5.4 - Selection of Categories of Psychological Disorders

Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum
Disorder (ASD).
Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders: Hallucinations, Delusions, Disorganized Thinking or Speech,
Disorganized Motor Behavior, Positive vs. Negative Symptoms, Acute vs. Chronic, Genetic Link, Prenatal
Virus, Dopamine Hypothesis
Catatonia: Positive Symptom - Excitement, Negative Symptom - Stupor
Negative Symptoms: Lack of Normal Behavior, Lack of Emotional Expression and Lack of Movement -
Catatonic Stupor
Depressive Disorders: Major Depressive Disorder and Persistent Depressive Disorder
Bipolar Disorders: Mania, Depression, Cycling of Moods,
Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
Anxiety Disorders: Specific Phobia (aracnophiba), Agoraphobia, Panic Disorder (ataque de nervios), Social
Anxiety (Taijiin Kyofusio) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders: OCD and Hoarding Disorder
Dissociative Disorders: Dissociative Amnesia (with and without Fugue), Dissociative Identity Disorder
Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders: Hypervigilance, Flashbacks, Insomnia, Emotional Detatchment,
Hostility
Feeding and Eating Disorders: Anorexia Nervosa vs. Bulimia Nervosa
Personality Disorders: Pervasive & Inflexible
Cluster A: Odd & Eccentric Cluster: Paranoid, Schizoid, Schizotypal
Cluster B: Dramatic, Emotional or Erratic Cluster: Antisocial, Histrionic, Narcissistic, Borderline
Cluster C: Anxious or Fearful Cluster: Avoidanc, Dependent, OCPD

5.5 - Treatment of Psychological Disorders

Meta-Analytic Study of Psychotherapy = Therapy is Effective
Evidence-Based Interventions
Therapeutic Alliance
Psychotropic Meidcation Therapy
Deinstitutionalization
APA Ethical Treatments of Psychological Disorder: Nonmaleficence, Fidelity, Integrity, and Respect for
People’s Rights and Dignity
Psychodynamic Therapies: Free Association and Dream Interpretation
Cognitive Therapies: Cognitive Restructuring, Fear Hierarchies, Maladaptive Thinking
Cognitive Triad: Negative Thoughts About Oneself, The World and The Future
Applied Behavior Analysis: Principles of Conditioning, Exposure Therapies (Systematic Desentiszation),
Aversion Therapies, Token Economies, Biofeedback for Anxiety & Depression
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies: Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy
Humanistic Therapy: Perceon-Centered Therapy, Active Listening, Unconditional Positive Regard
Hypnosis for Pain & Anxiety (No age regression)
Psychoactive Medications & Neurotransmitters: Antidepressants, Antianxiety Drugs, Lithium, Antipsychotic
Medication
Psychoactive Drugs Side Effects: Tardive Dyskinesia
Psychosurgery: Lessioning
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Lobotomy