AP Psychology Unit 1 Review

Introduction

• Instructor: Mr. Sin
• Focus: AP Psychology Unit 1 - Scientific Foundations of Psychology
• Resources: Study guide in the ultimate review packet (videos, practice quizzes, study guides, full practice exams)
• Key tip: Use the study guide to follow along with the video.

Key Figures in Psychology

• William Vunt: Father of psychology; first psychology lab and research on senses, reaction time, etc.
• Edward Titchener: Student of Vunt; developed Structuralism.
• William James: Taught at Harvard; first psychology textbook & Functionalism; promoted women in psychology.
• Mary Whiton Calkins: Memory research; first female APA president.
• G. Stanley Hall: First American PhD in psychology; first US psychology lab; first APA president.
• Margaret Floy Washburn: Animal research; first woman with a psychology PhD; second female APA president.
• Charles Darwin: Natural selection; foundation for evolutionary psychology.
• Dorothea Dix: Reformed treatment of the mentally ill and insane asylums.
• Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalytic theory; focused on the unconscious mind.
• Ivan Pavlov: Classical conditioning (experiment with dogs).
• John Piaget: Cognitive development theory focusing on children.
• Carl Rogers: Humanistic psychology; contributions to personality research.
• B.F. Skinner: Behavioralism; operant conditioning.
• John B. Watson: Behaviorism; scientific study focused on observable behavior.

Historical Schools of Thought

• Structuralism: Focuses on structures of consciousness; uses introspection.
• Functionalism: Studies mental/behavioral processes as evolved functions.
• Gestalt Psychology: Looks at the whole consciousness and organizational processes.
• Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic: Studies behaviors/mental processes influenced by the unconscious mind.

Modern Perspectives

• Early Behavioralism: Behaviors are learned and observable; includes classical conditioning and operant conditioning.
• Humanistic: Humans are naturally good; focus on self-actualization.
• Sociocultural: Impact of culture, nationality, religion, etc., on behavior and mental processes.

Approaches to Psychology

• Evolutionary Approach: Behaviors and mental processes shaped by natural selection.
• Biological Approach: Links between biological structures/processes and psychological phenomena.
• Cognitive Approach: Examines how attitudes, memories, perceptions, and expectations influence behavior and mental processes.

Psychology Domains

• Basic Research Domains: Biological, developmental, cognitive, educational, personality, social, positive, and psychometric.
• Applied Research Domains: Industrial-organizational, counseling, and clinical.
• Difference between counselors and psychiatrists: Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, counselors help with life challenges.

Research Methods

• Operational Definition: Clear description of experimental procedures and measures.
• Population vs. Sample: Population is the whole group; sample is a selected subset representing the population.
  • Random Sample: Equal chance for all individuals in the population.
  • Stratified Sample: Population divided into subcategories, and samples taken from these.
• Sampling Bias: Avoid to prevent skewed results; aim for a representative sample.
• Types of Research Methods: Experiments, correlational studies, surveys, naturalistic observations, case studies, longitudinal studies, cross-sectional studies.

Designing an Experiment

• Hypothesis: A testable prediction.
• Theory: Supported by data; explains phenomena.
• Causal Relationship: Independent Variable (IV) causes changes in Dependent Variable (DV).
• Control vs. Experimental Group: Control group gets placebo, experimental group gets IV.
• Random Assignment: Equal chance for all participants to be in any group; avoids bias.
• Blinding in Studies: Single-Blind (participants unaware), Double-Blind (participants and researchers unaware); minimizes placebo effect.
• Quasi-Experiments: Used when random assignment isn't possible or ethical.

Ensuring Reliability and Validity

• Reliability: Repeatability of a test.
• Validity: Accuracy of what the test measures.
• Reducing Bias: Various biases and their countermeasures (e.g., hindsight bias, false consensus effect, confirmation bias).

Data Analysis

• Descriptive Statistics: Organize and describe data (mean, median, mode).
• Measures of Variability: Range, standard deviation.
• Types of Distributions: Normal, positive skew, negative skew, bimodal.
• Inferential Statistics: Make predictions from data; understand statistical significance (p-value).
• Correlation: Coefficient indicating strength and direction of relationship (positive or negative correlation).

Ethical Guidelines

• APA Guidelines: Ethical principles and code of conduct (privacy, confidentiality, informed consent).
• Institutional Review Board (IRB): Ensures ethical standards in studies.
• Protection of Participants: Physical/psychological safety, trustworthy environment, informed consent.
• Animal Ethics: Guidelines for treatment of animals in studies (IACUC).

Conclusion

• Review Materials: Check study guide answers; take unit practice quizzes.
• Additional Resources: Practice quizzes, full practice AP exams, and more in the ultimate review packet.
• Next Steps: Continue with Unit 2 of AP Psychology.