Course Content
- Major Psychological Approaches: Explore behavioral, biological, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, and sociocultural perspectives.
- Research Methods: Master experimental design, statistics, ethical guidelines, and how psychologists collect and interpret data.
- Biological Bases of Behavior: Study the brain, nervous system, neurotransmitters, hormones, and their role in thoughts and behavior.
- Developmental Psychology: Understand key stages and theories in human growth from infancy through adulthood.
- Sensation, Perception, and Consciousness: Learn how we sense, interpret, and become aware of our environment.
- Learning and Memory: Explore conditioning, memory processes, and cognitive biases.
- Personality, Motivation, and Emotion: Analyze the major personality theories, motivation, and emotion in human life.
- Abnormal Psychology & Treatment: Review psychological disorders, diagnosis, therapy types, and approaches to mental health.
- Social Psychology: Examine how people think, influence, and relate to one another in social contexts.
Exam Structure
- Section I: Multiple Choice – 100 questions, 1 hr 10 min, 66.7% of score
- Section II: Free Response – 2 essays (concept application + research design), 50 min, 33.3% of score
Skills Developed
- Understanding of human behavior, cognition, and emotion
- Knowledge of research methods, experimental design, and data interpretation
- Development of critical thinking and analytical skills in evaluating psychological theories
- Application of psychological concepts to real-world and academic contexts
- Improved communication and reasoning skills for presenting psychological findings
Who Should Take AP Psychology?
- Students interested in social sciences, medicine, education, business, or law.
- Anyone seeking college credit or a head start in understanding human behavior and scientific reasoning.
- Learners who enjoy connecting science, theory, and real-life application.
College Credit
Many U.S. colleges grant credit or advanced placement for high AP Psychology scores (usually a 4 or 5). This can satisfy introductory psychology or social science course requirements, allowing students to advance to higher-level psychology or related social science courses earlier in their college curriculum.
