AP Exam Formatting and Study Strategies

Exam Structure

• Part I

  • Total Weight: 66.7%
  • 75 Multiple Choice Questions
  • Duration: 90 minutes

• 10 Minute Break

• Part II

  • Total Weight: 33.3%
  • TWO Free Response Questions (FRQs)
    • Article Analysis Question
    • Evidence Based Question
  • Duration: 70 minutes

Study Strategy

• Spend 15-30 minutes reviewing terms in the cram packet
• Highlight terms into study categories:
  • Category 1 (Green): Terms known 100%
  • Category 2 (Yellow): Terms you remember but need refreshing
  • Category 3 (Red): Terms unfamiliar or forgotten
• Research terms highlighted in red immediately
• Create flashcards for terms highlighted in yellow

Research Design Basics

Vocabulary

• Hypothesis: Tentative explanation; must be falsifiable.
• Operational Definition: Clear, precise, quantifiable definition of variables.
• Qualitative Data: Descriptive data.
• Quantitative Data: Numerical data, ideal for statistics.
• Population: The entire group research could apply to.
• Sample: The specific group chosen for study.

Research Designs

• Correlation: Identifies relationships between two variables.
  • Advantage: Useful when experiments are unethical.
  • Disadvantage: Correlation does not imply causation.
  • Problems: Directionality and third-variable problems.
    • Positive and negative correlations.
    • Strength of correlation indicated by number strength.
• Experiments: Manipulate variables to determine cause/effect.
  • Advantage: Can establish causation.
  • Disadvantage: Can be unethical or artificial.
  • Key Terms:
    • Independent Variable: Manipulated by researcher.
    • Dependent Variable: Measured outcome variable.
    • Placebo Effect: Effect from inert substance or treatment.
    • Blind Studies: Double and single-blind methodologies to reduce biases.

Other Research Types

• Naturalistic Observation: Observes subjects in natural environment.
• Case Study: In-depth study of one person or group.
• Meta-Analysis: Combines results from multiple studies.

Statistics

Descriptive Statistics

• Measures of Central Tendency:
  • Mean: Average, used in normal distribution.
  • Median: Middle value, used in skewed distributions.
  • Mode: Most frequent value.
• Skewness: Caused by outliers.

Inferential Statistics

• Establishes significance of results.
• Statistical Significance: Probability results not due to chance.
• p-value: p < 0.05 indicates significance.

Ethical Guidelines

• Confidentiality, informed consent, debriefing, no harm, and deception must be justified.

Biological Basis

Nervous System

• Central NS: Brain and spinal cord.
• Peripheral NS: Relays information to/from CNS.
  • Somatic NS: Voluntary movements.
  • Autonomic NS: Involuntary functions.
    • Sympathetic NS: Activates fight/flight.
    • Parasympathetic NS: Promotes rest/digest.

Neurons

• Basic cells of the nervous system, conduct impulses.
• Major types include sensory, motor, and interneurons.
• Neurotransmitters: Chemicals for neuron communication.
  • Excitatory: Increase likelihood of firing.
  • Inhibitory: Decrease likelihood of firing.

Brain Structures

• Cerebellum: Movement and balance.
• Brainstem: Vital functions (heart rate, breathing).
• Limbic System: Emotion and memory.
• Cerebral Cortex: Higher-order functions.

Disorders

Neurodevelopmental

• ADHD: Inattention, hyperactivity.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Social and communication challenges.

Anxiety Disorders

• Phobic Disorders: Irrational fears.
• Panic Disorder: Sudden attacks of acute anxiety.
• Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Persistent, generalized worry.

Treatment

• Cognitive restructuring, behavioral modifications, and medication are common.

This guide summarizes the lecture material and provides a framework for further study and review of key concepts related to AP Exam preparation, research designs, statistics, biological bases of behavior, and psychological disorders.