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Course Syllabus

AP Psychology Syllabus

AP Psychology introduces students to the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Students explore major psychological concepts, theories, research methods, and applications across biological, cognitive, developmental, social, personality, and mental health topics.

Course Title

AP Psychology

Course Format

Online AP Psychology instruction through PsychInstructor

Course Length

Full academic course
24 weeks

Course Description

This course is designed for high school, homeschool, and online learners preparing for AP Psychology coursework and the AP Psychology Exam. Students will complete structured lessons, vocabulary review, practice questions, assignments, quizzes, and AP-style exam preparation activities. Full course consists of section A (units 0-2) & section B (units 3-5 & exam prep)

Course Goals

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  • Explain major psychological concepts, theories, and perspectives.
  • Apply psychological terminology to real-world examples.
  • Analyze research methods, ethical issues, and psychological data.
  • Interpret charts, graphs, tables, and research summaries.
  • Develop evidence-based written responses using psychological concepts.
  • Prepare for the AP Psychology Exam through structured review and practice.

Course Materials

Students will use course materials provided through PsychInstructor and Google Classroom.

  • Lesson slides
  • Vocabulary review activities
  • Practice questions
  • Unit quizzes
  • Application activities
  • FRQ-style practice
  • AP exam review materials
  • Supplemental readings or resources

Students may also be encouraged to use College Board AP Classroom resources when available through an AP-approved school or testing arrangement.

Prerequisites

There are no required prerequisites for AP Psychology. Students should be prepared to read college-level material, learn academic vocabulary, and write clear responses using psychological terminology.

Course Expectations

Students are expected to:

  • Complete lessons in the assigned order.
  • Review vocabulary regularly.
  • Submit assignments by the assigned due dates when enrolled in a guided or live program.
  • Complete quizzes and review activities.
  • Participate respectfully in any live or written course discussions.
  • Practice AP-style multiple-choice and free-response questions.
  • Communicate when they need help or clarification.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to complete their own work. Students may use notes, lessons, and approved resources to study, but submitted assignments, quizzes, and written responses should reflect the student’s own understanding.

AI tools, online summaries, or answer websites should not be used to replace student work. When outside help is used for studying, students should still be able to explain concepts in their own words.

Late Work Policy

Students should complete assignments according to the pacing expectations of their enrolled program. Late work may be accepted in guided programs when students communicate in advance or when flexible pacing has been arranged.

AP Exam Information

The AP Psychology Exam is administered separately through the College Board and participating schools. PsychInstructor is not an AP testing site. Students and families are responsible for arranging AP Exam registration through a local school or approved testing location.

The AP Psychology Exam includes:

  • Multiple-choice questions
  • Free-response questions
  • Research analysis
  • Evidence-based writing
  • Application of psychological concepts

Course Units and Pacing

Unit 0 — Intro to Psychology & Research Foundations

(Section A)

Students are introduced to psychology as the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This unit also introduces major psychological perspectives, research methods, ethics, and the role of evidence in psychological science.

  • What psychology studies
  • Behavior and mental processes
  • Major psychological perspectives
  • Scientific method
  • Research methods
  • Ethics in psychological research
  • Culture and sociohistorical influences
  • Empiricism and evidence-based thinking

Unit 1 — Biological Bases of Behavior


(Section A)

Students examine the biological foundations of behavior, including heredity, the nervous system, neural communication, brain structure, sleep, consciousness, and sensation.

  • 1.1 Interaction of Heredity and Environment
  • 1.2 Overview of the Nervous System
  • 1.3 The Neuron and Neural Firing
  • 1.4 The Brain
  • 1.5 Sleep
  • 1.6 Sensation

Unit 2 — Cognition

(Section A)

Students study how humans receive, process, store, and use information. This unit includes perception, learning, memory, thinking, problem solving, language, and intelligence.

  • 2.1 Perception
  • 2.2 Thinking, Problem-Solving, Judgments, & Decision-Making
  • 2.3 Introduction to Memory
  • 2.4 Encoding Memories
  • 2.5 Storing Memories
  • 2.6 Retrieving Memories
  • 2.7 Forgetting and Other Memory Challenges
  • 2.8 Intelligence and Achievement

Unit 3 — Development and Learning

(Section B)

Students explore human development across the lifespan, including physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. This unit also connects developmental theory to learning, motivation, emotion, and stress.

  • 3.1 Themes and Methods in Developmental Psychology
  • 3.2 Physical Development Across the Lifespan
  • 3.3 Gender and Sexual Orientation
  • 3.4 Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan
  • 3.5 Communication and Language Development
  • 3.6 Social-Emotional Development Across the Lifespan
  • 3.7 Classical Conditioning
  • 3.8 Operant Conditioning
  • 3.9 Social, Cognitive, and Neurological Factors in Learning

Unit 4 — Social Psychology & Personality

(Section B)

Students examine how individuals think about, influence, and relate to others. This unit also explores personality theories and the ways psychologists understand individual differences.

  • 4.1 Attribution Theory and Person Perception
  • 4.2 Attitude Formation and Attitude Change
  • 4.3 Psychology of Social Situations
  • 4.4 Psychodynamic and Humanistic Theories of Personality
  • 4.5 Social-Cognitive and Trait Theories of Personality
  • 4.6 Motivation
  • 4.7 Emotion

Unit 5 — Mental and Physical Health

(Section B)

Students study psychological disorders, approaches to treatment, health psychology, stress, and factors that influence mental and physical well-being.

  • 5.1 Introduction to Health Psychology
  • 5.2 Positive Psychology
  • 5.3 Explaining and Classifying Psychological Disorders
  • 5.4 Selection of Categories of Psychological Disorders
  • 5.5 Treatment of Psychological Disorders

AP Exam Preparation

AP exam preparation is built throughout the course. Students will practice:

  • AP-style multiple-choice questions
  • Vocabulary application
  • Concept explanation
  • Research method analysis
  • Data interpretation
  • Article Analysis Question practice
  • Evidence-Based Question practice
  • Review activities

Near the end of the course, students should complete cumulative review activities and practice exam-style questions to prepare for the AP Psychology Exam.

Student Support

Depending on the enrolled program, support may include:

  • Instructor feedback
  • Assignment grading
  • Progress guidance
  • Live instruction
  • 1-on-1 tutoring
  • AP exam preparation
  • Help with difficult concepts
  • Study planning and organization support

Parent/Guardian Role

Parents or guardians may monitor student progress, assignment completion, communication habits, and pacing, especially for homeschool students or students new to online learning.

PsychInstructor provides structured coursework and academic support, but families remain responsible for ensuring the course meets their homeschool, school, or transcript requirements.

Credit and Transcript Note

This course may be listed as AP Psychology or Psychology on a homeschool transcript depending on the student’s academic plan, course completion, and AP Exam intentions. Families should confirm local homeschool documentation requirements and AP Exam registration procedures.

Disclaimer

PsychInstructor provides AP Psychology instruction and academic support. PsychInstructor is not an accredited school and does not administer AP Exams. AP Exam registration, testing-site arrangements, and official score reporting are handled separately through the College Board and participating schools.