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A.P. Psychology Summer Project
Advanced Placement Psychology: Summer Project
Instructor: Mrs. Whitlock
Welcome to A.P. Psychology!
This course has been designed to help you prepare for and pass the A.P. Psychology exam. During the school year it is my hope to provide you with a working knowledge of the theories, personalities, and important terms in psychology.
To provide you with a solid foundation for success in this course and to discover the great diversity of this field, you are to read selected sections from Forty Studies That Changed Psychology (3rd edition).
You will need to pick up your copy of the book from the Counseling Office in May. Listen and watch for announcements.
Your summer project is geared towards investigating some of the most influential psychological research to date. The historical studies discussed in this text continue to be cited, stirred up controversy when first published, directed new research, and changed our understanding of human behavior.
Please follow the listed format and requirements in completing your project. Read the instructions carefully. NO GROUP WORK is allowed. If you have any questions about these requirements, see me as soon as possible.
As we will be using the information from your summer project immediately it is DUE the FIRST DAY OF CLASS. Please bring your project (article summaries and reflection paper) and your copy of Forty Studies That Changed Psychology with you on the first day of class.
Please keep in mind that if you do not have your summer project completed, you will be asked to withdraw from A.P. Psychology.
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PART I: Reading Assignment
I.
Forty Studies That Changed Psychology is divided into ten sections. You are required to read the Preface (vii - xii) and the introduction for each section. You are also required to read the chapters listed but are free to read any other section of interest to you.
1: Biology & Human Behavior: “More Experience = Bigger Brain?”
2: Consciousness: “Acting As If You Are Hypnotized”
3: Learning & Conditioning: “See Aggression...Do Aggression”
4: Intelligence, Cognition, & Memory : “Thanks for the Memories”
5: Human Development: “Born First, Born Smarter?”
6. Emotion & Motivation: “Life, Change & Stress”
7: Personality: “Are you the master of your fate?”
8: Psychopathology: “You’re getting defensive again”
9: Psychotherapy: “Picture This!”
10. Social Psychology: “Obey at Any Cost”
II.
Summarize each article. Follow the format below. Be sure to answer EACH question. This section may be typed or NEATLY handwritten. If I cannot read your assignment, it WILL NOT be scored.
1.What question was the researcher trying to answer?
2.Summarize the research methods used.
3.Summarize the results of the study.
4.Discuss ONE example of the significance of the study OR ONE criticism directed toward the research.
5.Discuss ONE example of subsequent research in this area OR recent applications of this study.
6.What did you learn? Were you surprised by the results? Did this study challenge any of your previous beliefs? Explain.
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PART II: Reflection Paper
Everyone has a preconceived notion about what “psychology” is. Through the readings of the different articles I hoped to introduce you to many of the major figures from the past and the great diversity that exists in research interests. Now, I would like you to reflect upon what you have learned about psychology thus far. Please write a reflection paper that addresses the following questions.
• Before you did any of the reading, what did you think psychology was? What did you think psychologists do? What kind of topics did you believe psychologists are interested in?
• Did your views change after you finished reading? If so, how? If your views were unchanged, explain why.
• What studies did you find most interesting or surprising? What did they teach you that you didn’t know before? Why do those studies stand out to you?
• Do you believe any of the studies were unethical? Explain.
• What do you want to learn in our class? What areas are of greatest interest to you? Why?
Your reflection paper should be 5 pages (MUST BE typed, double-spaced). Use specific examples from the readings to illustrate your reflections. If you use any quotations, please reference the page at the end of the quotation. For example, “For all their nonsense, dreams have a clear import and a deeply personal one.” (p. 52) This paper is to be written “free form” so you do not need to follow a traditional 5 paragraph paper, but please be sure I can tell which question (from above) is being answered.
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Grading
Notes and reflection papers will be graded on clarity of thought, quality of ideas, form (Did you use appropriate page references?), and completeness (Do you notes reflect a thorough reading of the article? Did you address all of the questions asked above?).
Article Summaries: 100 points (10 points each article)
Reflection paper: 50 points (10 points each question)
150 points total
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