Unit 1: Psychology’s History and Approaches Big Idea: Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes. This unit asks: Why do people think, feel, and behave the way they do, and how do psychologists study it? 1. Early Schools of Thought Structuralism Focused on breaking conscious experiences into smaller parts. Example: Describing every taste, smell, and feeling while eating pizza. Functionalism Focused on WHY behaviors and thoughts exist. Example: Fear exists because it helps humans survive danger. Connection: Structuralists asked “What are thoughts made of?” Functionalists asked “What purpose do thoughts serve?” 2. Major Psychological Perspectives Biological Perspective Behavior comes from the brain, genetics, and hormones. Example: Depression connected to serotonin levels. Behavioral Perspective Behavior is learned through rewards and punishments. Example: A dog learns tricks because it gets treats. Cognitive Perspective Focuses on thinking, memory, and problem-solving. Example: Why students remember some facts better than others. Humanistic Perspective Humans naturally strive for growth. Example: Trying to achieve goals and improve yourself. Psychodynamic Perspective Unconscious conflicts affect behavior. Example: Getting unusually angry because of hidden stress. Evolutionary Perspective Behaviors developed because they helped survival. Example: Humans naturally fearing dangerous animals. Sociocultural Perspective Behavior is shaped by culture and society. Example: Different cultures have different expectations for personal space. 3. Research Methods Experiment Used to determine cause and effect. Independent Variable What the researcher changes. Dependent Variable What the researcher measures. Example: Studying whether sleep affects test scores. * Amount of sleep = IV * Test score = DV Correlation Shows relationship between variables. Important: Correlation does NOT equal causation. Example: Ice cream sales and drowning both rise during summer. Random Assignment Participants randomly placed into groups. Helps reduce bias. Double-Blind Procedure Neither researchers nor participants know who receives treatment. Prevents expectations from affecting results. BIG AP EXAM CONNECTION The AP exam loves asking: * Which perspective best explains this behavior? * Which research method should be used? * Why doesn’t correlation prove causation? Example: A psychologist studies how rewards affect studying. → Behavioral perspective + experiment Unit 2: Biological Basis of Behavior Big Idea: Your brain, nervous system, hormones, and genetics all shape behavior. The whole unit asks: How do your body and brain create thoughts, emotions, and behavior? 1. Nature vs. Nurture = Who You Are Main Idea: Your behavior comes from BOTH: * Nature = genetics/heredity * Nurture = environment and experiences Example: Someone may inherit anxiety tendencies but stressful experiences can make anxiety stronger. 2. Nervous System Central Nervous System Brain + spinal cord. Peripheral Nervous System Nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Sympathetic Nervous System Activates during stress. Example: Heart racing before giving a speech. Parasympathetic Nervous System Calms the body afterward. 3. Neurotransmitters Dopamine Reward and pleasure. Example: Social media likes feel rewarding. Serotonin Mood and sleep. Low levels linked to depression. Acetylcholine Movement and memory. Linked to Alzheimer’s disease. GABA Calms nervous system. Low GABA linked to anxiety. 4. Brain Structures Frontal Lobe Decision-making and personality. Occipital Lobe Vision. Temporal Lobe Hearing and memory. Hippocampus Memory formation. Amygdala Fear and aggression. BIG AP EXAM CONNECTION A student panicking before a test: * amygdala activates fear * sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate * adrenaline releases Unit 3: Sensation and Perception Big Idea: Sensation detects information. Perception interprets information. This unit asks: How does the brain create your experience of the world? 1. Sensation Absolute Threshold Smallest amount of stimulation needed to notice something. Example: Hearing a quiet text notification. Difference Threshold Smallest noticeable difference between stimuli. Example: Noticing the TV volume changed. Sensory Adaptation Becoming less aware of constant stimulation. Example: Not noticing your hoodie after wearing it awhile. 2. Vision Rods Help see in dim light. Cones Detect color. Blind Spot Area without receptors. 3. Hearing Frequency Determines pitch. Amplitude Determines loudness. 4. Perception Gestalt Principles The brain organizes pieces into meaningful wholes. Example: Seeing a complete logo even with missing parts. Depth Perception Ability to see distance in 3D. Example: Catching a volleyball. Perceptual Set Expectations affect perception. Example: Misreading a word because you expected something else. BIG AP EXAM CONNECTION The exam often gives optical illusions or perception scenarios. Example: A person stops noticing a strong smell after 10 minutes. → sensory adaptation Unit 4: Learning Big Idea: Behavior changes because of experience. This unit asks: How do humans and animals learn behaviors? 1. Classical Conditioning Learning through association. Pavlov’s Dogs Dogs learned to associate a bell with food. Unconditioned Stimulus Naturally causes response. Conditioned Stimulus Previously neutral stimulus causing learned response. Example: Feeling hungry when hearing the microwave beep. 2. Operant Conditioning Learning through rewards and punishments. Positive Reinforcement Adding something good to increase behavior. Example: Getting money for good grades. Negative Reinforcement Removing something unpleasant. Example: Seatbelt alarm stopping. Punishment Decreases behavior. 3. Observational Learning Learning by watching others. Example: Kids copying influencers online. BIG AP EXAM CONNECTION The AP exam loves reinforcement examples. Example: A student studies harder after praise from parents. → positive reinforcement Unit 5: Cognitive Psychology Big Idea: Humans think, remember, solve problems, and use language. This unit asks: How does the mind process information? 1. Memory Process Encoding Getting information into memory. Storage Keeping information over time. Retrieval Getting information back. 2. Types of Memory Sensory Memory Very brief memory. Short-Term Memory Temporary limited storage. Long-Term Memory Relatively permanent storage. Working Memory Actively using information. Example: Doing math in your head. 3. Forgetting Proactive Interference Old information disrupts new information. Retroactive Interference New information disrupts old information. Example: Forgetting old password after learning a new one. 4. Problem Solving Algorithm Step-by-step method. Heuristic Mental shortcut. Confirmation Bias Looking for information supporting beliefs. Example: Only reading opinions you already agree with. BIG AP EXAM CONNECTION A student mixes up Spanish vocabulary from last year with current vocabulary. → proactive interference Unit 6: Developmental Psychology Big Idea: Humans develop physically, mentally, and socially across life. This unit asks: How do people change from infancy through adulthood? 1. Piaget’s Cognitive Development Sensorimotor Stage Babies learn through senses and actions. Object Permanence Understanding objects still exist when hidden. Example: Babies searching for hidden toys. Preoperational Stage Children use language but think egocentrically. Egocentrism Difficulty understanding another perspective. Example: A child assuming everyone sees exactly what they see. Concrete Operational Stage Logical thinking develops. Formal Operational Stage Abstract thinking develops. Example: Thinking about hypothetical situations. 2. Attachment Strong emotional bond with caregivers. Secure Attachment Healthy trust and comfort. 3. Parenting Styles Authoritative Strict but supportive. Usually healthiest. Authoritarian Strict with little warmth. Permissive Warm but few rules. BIG AP EXAM CONNECTION A teenager exploring identity and future goals. → Erikson’s identity vs role confusion stage Unit 7: Motivation, Emotion, and Personality Big Idea: Motivation drives behavior, emotions affect actions, and personality shapes how people interact. 1. Motivation Drive-Reduction Theory People act to reduce discomfort. Example: Eating when hungry. Maslow’s Hierarchy Basic needs come before higher goals. Example: Someone struggling financially may focus on survival before self-esteem. 2. Emotion Theories James-Lange Theory Physical response first. Example: Heart races THEN fear is felt. Cannon-Bard Theory Emotion and physical response happen together. Schachter Two-Factor Theory Emotion depends on physical arousal plus interpretation. 3. Personality Trait Theory Personality made of stable characteristics. Big Five Traits * openness * conscientiousness * extraversion * agreeableness * neuroticism BIG AP EXAM CONNECTION A student interpreting sweaty palms before a game as excitement. → Schachter two-factor theory Unit 8: Clinical Psychology Big Idea: Psychological disorders affect thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This unit asks: How are disorders identified and treated? 1. Anxiety Disorders Generalized Anxiety Disorder Constant excessive worry. Phobias Irrational fears. OCD Obsessions and compulsions. 2. Mood Disorders Major Depressive Disorder Persistent sadness and loss of interest. Bipolar Disorder Extreme mood swings. 3. Schizophrenia Disordered thinking and perception. Hallucinations False sensory experiences. Delusions False beliefs. 4