AP Psychology Mega Review Notes

Overview

• This review video covers the entire AP Psychology course in about 4 hours.
• Includes all five units of the course.
• Study guide worksheets available via link in description.

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Unit 1: Biological Basis of Behavior

1.1 Interaction of Heredity and Environment

• Nature vs. Nurture Debate:
  • Heredity (Nature): Genetic factors that influence traits.
  • Environment (Nurture): External factors like family and education.
  • Interactionist Perspective: Both heredity and environment influence behavior.
• Evolutionary Perspective:
  • Natural selection influences human behaviors and mental processes.
  • Eugenics: Misuse of evolutionary psychology to justify discrimination.
• Research Methods:
  • Twin Studies: Compare identical vs. fraternal twins to assess genetic influence.
  • Family Studies: Examine traits among family members.
  • Adoption Studies: Compare adopted children with biological vs. adoptive families.

1.2 Overview of the Nervous System

• Central Nervous System: Brain and spinal cord.
• Peripheral Nervous System: Divided into:
  • Autonomic Nervous System: Involuntary functions (sympathetic and parasympathetic).
  • Somatic Nervous System: Voluntary movements.

1.3 The Neuron and Neural Firing

• Types of Cells: Neurons (signal carriers) and glial cells (support).
• Reflex Arc: Involves sensory, interneurons, and motor neurons.
• Neural Transmission Process:
  • Resting potential, depolarization, firing, refractory period, neurotransmitter release.
• Neurotransmitters: Key types include dopamine, serotonin, GABA, etc.
• Psychoactive Drugs: Alter neural activity affecting behavior and cognition.

1.4 Structures of the Brain

• Brain Stem: Responsible for basic life functions.
• Cerebellum: Coordination and balance.
• Cerebral Cortex: Complex functions like perception and decision-making.
• Split Brain Research: Insights into hemispheric specialization.

1.5 Sleep

• Circadian Rhythm: Biological process regulating sleep-wake cycles.
• Sleep Stages: NREM and REM sleep.
• Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, etc.

1.6 Sensation

• Key Terms: Absolute threshold, just noticeable difference, Weber's law.
• Visual System: Rods and cones, color vision theories.
• Auditory System: Sound perception theories.
• Chemical Senses: Smell and taste.
• Touch and Balance: Gate control theory, vestibular system.

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Unit 2: Cognition

2.1 Perception

• Bottom-up vs. Top-down Processing: How we interpret sensory information.
• Schemas and Perceptual Sets: Frameworks influencing perception.
• Gestalt Principles: Closure, figure-ground, similarity, etc.

2.2 Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making

• Concepts and Prototypes: Mental categories for understanding.
• Problem Solving: Algorithms vs. heuristics.
• Decision Making Influences: Priming, framing, mental sets.

2.3 Memory

• Types of Memory: Explicit (episodic, semantic) vs. implicit (procedural, prospective).
• Memory Models: Working memory, multi-store model.

2.4 Encoding Memories

• Methods: Mnemonic devices, chunking, spacing effect, serial position effect.

2.5 Storing Memories

• Memory Categories: Sensory, short-term, working, long-term memory.
• Rehearsal Methods: Maintenance vs. elaborative rehearsal.

2.6 Retrieving Memories

• Types of Retrieval: Recall vs. recognition, context-dependent memory.

2.7 Forgetting and Memory Challenges

• Forgetting Curve: Rate of forgetting over time.
• Retrieval Failure Reasons: Encoding failure, interference.

2.8 Intelligence

• Theories of Intelligence: Spearman's g, Gardner's multiple intelligences, Sternberg's triarchic theory.
• IQ Testing Issues: Bias and cultural considerations.

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Unit 3: Developmental Psychology

3.1 Themes and Methods

• Stability vs. Change, Nature vs. Nurture, Continuity vs. Discontinuity
• Research Methods: Cross-sectional vs. longitudinal studies.

3.2 Physical Development

• Prenatal Influences: Teratogens, maternal illness, genetic factors.
• Childhood Physical Development: Motor skills, reflexes, critical periods.

3.3 Sex and Gender

• Differences: Biological vs. social influences.
• Gender Schema Theory: Formation of mental categories based on gender.

3.4 Cognitive Development

• Piaget’s Stages: Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational.
• Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory: Importance of social interaction.

3.5 Communication and Language Development

• Language Stages: Cooing, babbling, one-word, telegraphic speech.
• Errors in Language Learning: Overgeneralization.

3.6 Social Emotional Development

• Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory: Influences on development.
• Attachment Styles: Secure vs. insecure attachment.

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Unit 4: Social Psychology and Personality

4.1 Attribution Theory

• Types of Attribution: Dispositional vs. situational.
• Attribution Biases: Fundamental attribution error, self-serving bias.

4.2 Attitudes

• Formation and Change: Stereotypes, implicit attitudes, belief perseverance.
• Cognitive Dissonance: Uncomfortable feelings from conflicting beliefs.

4.3 Psychology of Social Situations

• Social Norms: Unwritten rules guiding behavior.
• Social Influence: Conformity and obedience.

4.4 Psychodynamic and Humanistic Theories

• Psychodynamic Theory: Sigmund Freud’s concepts.
• Humanistic Theory: Focus on personal growth and self-actualization.

4.5 Social Cognitive and Trait Theories

• Social Cognitive Theory: Reciprocal determinism.
• Trait Theories: Big Five model.

4.6 Motivation

• Theories of Motivation: Drive reduction, arousal, self-determination, etc.

4.7 Emotion

• Definition of Emotion: Psychological response involving physiological and cognitive factors.
• Universal Emotions: Cultural variations in emotional expression.

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Unit 5: Health Psychology

5.1 Overview

• Definition of Health Psychology: Study of how behaviors, emotions, and thoughts affect health.
• Stress Effects: Physiological issues linked to stress.
• Key Concepts: Stressors, general adaptation syndrome, coping mechanisms.

5.2 Positive Psychology

• Focus: Study of thriving, resilience, and well-being.
• Key Concepts: Gratitude, signature strengths, post-traumatic growth.

5.3 Psychological Disorders Classification

• Factors in Diagnosis: Dysfunction, distress, deviation from norms.
• Classification Systems: DSM and ICD.

5.4 Treatment Approaches

• Therapeutic Techniques: Psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, humanistic.

5.5 Psychotherapy Effectiveness

• Research Basis: Evidence-based interventions, therapeutic alliance.
• Ethical Principles: Non-maleficence, respect for rights.

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Conclusion

• This comprehensive set of notes provides a high-level overview of AP Psychology, covering major theories, concepts, and methods relevant to the course. Use these notes to guide your studies and reinforce your understanding in preparation for the AP exam.