Advanced Placement Psychology Summer Assignment 2022

Washington High School

Welcome to AP Psychology!

Welcome to the fascinating world of Advanced Placement Psychology! This summer assignment will help you prepare for the rigorous academic journey ahead while introducing you to fundamental concepts in psychological science.

Psychology offers valuable insights into human behavior, mental processes, and social interactions. Through this course, you will develop critical thinking skills, gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others, and explore how psychological research applies to real-world situations.

Assignment Components

The summer assignment consists of the following four components:

1. Vocabulary Building: Complete the terminology worksheet covering foundational psychological concepts.
2. Required Reading: Read the provided articles and complete chapter outlines.
3. Research Methods Analysis: Evaluate a classic psychology study for methodology and ethics.
4. Application Exercise: Apply psychological principles to everyday experiences.

Component 1: Vocabulary Building

Download the vocabulary document from the class portal. It contains 50 key terms that form the foundation of psychological science. For each term:

• Define the term in your own words
• Create a real-world example that illustrates the concept
• Draw a simple diagram that represents the term (where appropriate)

These terms reflect the major perspectives in psychology:

Component 2: Required Reading

Please read the following articles (available in the class portal) and complete chapter outlines:

• "What Is Psychology? The Science of Mind and Behavior" by G. Neil Martin
• "The Brain and Behavior: An Introduction to Biological Psychology" by Bob Garrett
• "Nature and Nurture in Psychology" by Kendra Cherry

For each article, create an outline that includes:

• Main ideas and subheadings
• Key definitions (highlighted in bold)
• At least two important researchers or studies mentioned
• Three critical thinking questions that challenge the material
• A reflection connecting the content to your life experiences

Component 3: Research Methods Analysis

Psychology as a science relies on research methods to explore questions about behavior and mental processes. Read about Milgram's obedience study ( available on the class portal) and analyze it by addressing the following questions:

1. What was the research question Milgram sought to answer?
2. Describe the independent variable, dependent variable, and experimental condition.
3. What sampling method was used? Was it representative?
4. How did the researchers control for potential confounding variables?
5. What ethical concerns does this study raise?
6. How might this study be conducted differently under today's ethical standards?
7. What were the major findings, and how did they contribute to psychological knowledge?
8. Discuss one limitation to the generalizability of these findings.
9. Explain how this research relates to the concept of social psychology.
10. How might these findings apply to contemporary society?

Component 4: Application Exercise

Psychological concepts help us understand everyday experiences. Choose three activities from the list below and complete the accompanying reflection:

1. Memory Experiment: Learn a list of 20 words using one encoding strategy (e.g., visualization) and another list using a different strategy (e.g., rehearsal). Test your recall after 24 hours and analyze which method was more effective and why.
2. Observation of Group Dynamics: Observe a group in a social setting (e.g., restaurant, playground, sports event) for 30 minutes. Note examples of conformity, obedience, or group polarization. Discuss how social psychological principles might explain these behaviors.
3. Sleep Journal: Track your sleep patterns for one week, noting bedtime, wake time, perceived sleep quality, and dreams. Connect your findings to the sleep stages and biological rhythms discussed in the reading materials.
4. Classical Conditioning Analysis: Identify one example of classical conditioning in your environment (advertising, habits, emotional responses). Diagram the process, identifying the unconditioned stimulus, unconditioned response, conditioned stimulus, and conditioned response.
5. Developmental Comparison: Interview someone from a different generation about their experiences with technology in childhood. Compare their responses to developmental theories about how technology affects social and cognitive development.

For each activity you choose, write a 200-300 word reflection that includes:

• Description of your observations or experience
• Connection to at least two psychological concepts
• Analysis of what your experience reveals about human behavior
• Question for further investigation that your activity raised

Course Expectations

AP Psychology is a college-level course that requires commitment and dedication. You should expect:

• 40-45 minutes of daily study outside of class time
• Daily or weekly reading assignments
• Frequent quizzes and tests that include AP-style multiple-choice and free-response questions
• Active participation in class discussions and activities
• Small group projects and presentations
• Occasional film analyses and documentary responses

The summer assignment will count as two quiz grades and will be assessed based on:

• Completion of all components
• Accuracy of psychological concepts and terminology
• Depth of analysis and critical thinking
• Quality of real-world applications
• Adherence to assignment guidelines
• Clarity and organization of written responses

Resources and Support

Preparing for Success in AP Psychology

To excel in this course, consider these strategies:

• Establish a consistent study schedule and complete readings before class
• Create concept maps connecting related ideas rather than memorizing isolated facts
• Form study groups with classmates to discuss complex topics
• Apply psychological concepts to your daily experiences
• Practice explaining psychological theories in your own words
• Take advantage of office hours for extra help when needed

AP Exam Overview

In May 2023, you will take the AP Psychology Exam, which consists of two parts:

• Multiple-Choice Section: 100 questions in 70 minutes (66.7% of exam score)
• Free-Response Section: 2 questions in 50 minutes (33.3% of exam score)

Successful performance on this exam can earn you college credit at many universities. Throughout the year, we will develop strategies for approaching both question types and practice with past exam questions.

I look forward to exploring the fascinating world of psychology with you this year! This summer assignment will help you begin developing the psychological perspective that will serve you well both in this course and beyond.

Enjoy your summer, and happy studying!

Dr. Sarah Smith
AP Psychology Instructor
Washington High School