AP* Psychology-EL5180 - Scope and Sequence

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by William

AP* Psychology-EL5180 Scope and Sequence outlines the unit-by-unit lesson objectives for an AP psychology course. It covers the purpose and components of AP Psychology and the AP exam, foundational topics in psychology and research, and major methods including experiments, observation, surveys, sampling, and statistical evaluation. The sequence also addresses ethics, designing an IRB-compliant research proposal, and core content from mind and body through sensation, perception, consciousness, learning, conditioning, cognition, and memory.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Unit 1: History and Research Methods

What is AP* Psychology?

What is Psychology?

History of Psychology

Contemporary Perspectives

Psychology as a Profession

Research Methods

Conducting Research

The Experimental Method

Methods of Observation

Surveys, Samples, and Population

Statistical Evaluation

Ethical Issues

Research Project

Unit 2: Mind and Body

Biology and Behavior

The Nervous System

Brain Research

The Brain: Our Control Center

Cerebral Specialization

The Endocrine System

Heredity and Behavior

Heredity: Our Genetic Background

Evolutionary Basis of Behavior

The Teen Brain

Unit 3: Sensation and Perception

Sensation

Vision

Perception

Hearing

Other Senses

Unit 4: Consciousness

States of Consciousness

Biological Rhythms

Sleep

Dreams

Altered States of Consciousness

Meditation, Biofeedback, and Hypnosis

Drugs and Consciousness

Unit 5: Learning

Conditioning

Classical Conditioning

Operant Conditioning

Cognitive and Observational Learning

Cognitive Influences on Learning

Social Learning

Learning and Behavior

Behavior Modification

Persuasive Influences on Behavior

Unit 6: Cognition

Memory

Language

AP* Psychology-EL5180 Scope and Sequence Unit Topic Lesson Lesson Objectives History and Research Methods AP* Psychology What is AP* Psychology? Identify the purpose of AP* Psychology Describe the components of the AP* course and the AP* Psychology exam Identify various study strategies for taking the AP* Psychology exam What is Psychology? Why Study Psychology? Identify the goals of psychology. Explain how psychology is a science. History of Psychology Explain the historical background of the study of psychology. Contemporary Perspectives Describe the seven main contemporary perspectives in psychology. Psychology as a Profession Describe the work done by psychologists according to their areas of specialization. Research Methods Conducting Research List and explain the steps scientists follow in conducting scientific research. The Experimental Method Describe the purpose and elements of an experiment. Methods of Observation Compare and contrast various methods of observation and discuss the use of correlation in analyzing results. Surveys, Samples, and Population Explain the survey method and the importance of proper sampling techniques. Statistical Evaluation Recognize types of descriptive statistics. Describe inferential statistics. Ethical Issues Evaluate the ethical issues involved in psychological research. Research Project Design a valid research project over a psychological question or issue Create a proposal in accordance with the Internal Review Board (IRB) standards © E2020, Inc. 2011 Confidential Page 1 of 11 AP* Psychology-EL5180 Scope and Sequence Unit Topic Lesson Lesson Objectives Mind and Body Biology and Behavior The Nervous System Explain how messages are transmitted by neurons. Describe the functions of the peripheral nervous system. Brain Research Identify various research methods used to study the structure and function of the brain The Brain: Our Control Center Identify the major structures of the brain. Explain the functions of each structure of the brain. Cerebral Specialization Compare and contrast the functions of each hemisphere in the brain The Endocrine System Explain how hormones secreted by the major glands of the endocrine system affect the body. Heredity and Behavior Heredity: Our Genetic Background Explain the role of chromosomes and genes in heredity. Evaluate the methods used by psychologists to study the role of heredity in determining traits. Evolutionary Basis of Behavior Explain various psychological principles involved in evolutionary theory Describe how patterns of behaviors serve as adaptive traits The Teen Brain Describe structural and functional differences in the teenage brain Identify variations in adolescent behavior influenced by the structure and functions of the teenage brain © E2020, Inc. 2011 Confidential Page 2 of 11 AP* Psychology-EL5180 Scope and Sequence Unit Topic Lesson Lesson Objectives Sensation and Perception Sensation Describe the field of study known as psychophysics. Define and discuss threshold, Weber's law, and signal detection. Vision Explain how the eye works to enable vision Perception Summarize the laws of sensory perception Hearing Describe how the ear perceives sound. Other Senses Identify the chemical, skin, and body senses. Consciousness States of Consciousness The Study of Consciousness Analyze the nature of consciousness Biological Rhythms Explain the role of biological rhythms on sleep behavior Sleep Stages of Sleep Describe the stages of sleep. List several sleep problems. Sleep Deprivation and Disorders Describe the impact of sleep deprivation on psychological and physical functioning Identify various sleep disorders and how these disorders impact behavior Dreams Identify various meanings of dream content Explain various theories associated with the function of drea

FAQs

What does the course scope define as the purpose of AP* Psychology?

It identifies the purpose of AP* Psychology and explains the components of the course and the AP* Psychology exam.

Which research methods are emphasized in the research unit?

The sequence covers scientific research steps, the experimental method, observation methods, surveys and sampling, and statistical evaluation.

How does the scope organize content beyond research methods?

It progresses through mind and body topics, sensation and perception, consciousness, learning and conditioning, and cognition including memory and language development.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by William