AP Psychology Summer Assignment  2015‐2016  Ms.  Hecox   

AP Psychology Summer Assignment 2015‐2016 Ms. Hecox [email protected] Welcome to AP Psychology! This summer assignment serves multiple introductory purposes. You will have the chance to form a background in what it means to study psychology, and I get the chance to learn about you as a person, as well as a student. It is important for you to remember that this is your first grade for the course, and my first impression of you as a student. However, the goal is not for the assignment to be overwhelmingly difficult or strenuous; rather, I hope that you will feel comfortable reflecting on your own life experiences and responding to the information presented. This assignment will become your first set of notes towards success on the AP Exam in May. If at any time, you need clarification on the assignment, or support in completing it please contact me. Course Expectations In AP Psychology my expectation is that you will complete your readings according to the nightly calendar, take comprehensive notes, and work on your ability to learn independently through active study skills. This course differs from the online Psychology class offered at Einstein in many ways. We will cover all fourteen units of the introduction to psychology. This assignment gives you an example of a typical weeks reading and provided guided notes. You will need to learn the content successfully through independent reading. Main ideas will be reinforced in class, but we will not discuss every facet of the textbook. It is not enough to simply read the textbook, you MUST actively practice your vocabulary. I am available every day at lunch to help you if you are struggling, but it is your responsibility to seek help. In addition to this comprehensive amount of material, we will work on critical reading, writing, research, and test taking skills. My goal is to lead each of you in your preparation for success on the AP Exam in May. Turning in the assignment: Follow the directions next to each part to find the submission instructions. All parts of the assignment must be turned in by: Due date: Start of class on Friday, September 4th, 2015. Deadline: Start of class on Tuesday, September 8th, 2015. There will be no exceptions to these dates/times. Students will lose 10% off of their earned score for assignments that are turned in after the due date. Part I (15 practice/prep points) Completed via e‐mail The first part of your assignment is to e‐mail me! The e‐mail address I use for contacting students is [email protected] Send me a professional e‐mail including the following information: 
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One thing you are looking forward to this summer One reason you are taking AP Psychology One thing about yourself that you’d like to share with me! I will respond to your e‐mail to let you know that I have received it. (I am getting 90+ e‐mails so it may take me a little while to respond). All e‐mails should come from a professional e‐mail address, and one that you will check regularly throughout the school year. Your writing style for all responses must be appropriate and academic. Remember to always sign your first and last name to your e‐mails! (I will make you rewrite it.) Part II (25 formative points) Submit a hard copy, typed, in the beginning of class. It must be printed PRIOR to class on the due date/deadline. It will never be acceptable in life to show up somewhere and say “Oh I have it, but can I use your printer?”. Read each of the following sections from the textbook. You can find the sections on the same area of the Einstein website where you found this assignment sheet. They are all in the same pdf, and they are in order. For each section, complete the questions or tasks below. All answers must be in complete sentences for any credit. Your answers must come from the readings, not the internet. Psychology’s Roots (pgs 2‐7) 1. Summarize Descartes’ ideas about the mind and body. (1 pt) 2. Why is Wilhelm Wundt considered the father of psychology? (1 pt) 3. How does introspection relate to structuralism? (2 pts) 4. What arguments could be made that William James should be called the father of psychology instead? (1 pt) 5. What type of psychology do you agree with the most at this point in your understanding, Freudian (psychodynamic), behaviorist, humanistic, or cognitive? Explain. (2 pts) Big Issues and Approaches (pgs 9‐15) 6. Choose one personality trait of your own. Describe how it is related to both nature and nuture. (2 pts) 7 Explain the phrase “nurture works on what nature endows” in your own words. (1 pt) 8. The biopsychosocial approach is key to MOST of what we study in this course. Choose one event from this summer, and analyze your feelings using the biopsychosocial approach. You can draw a diagram instead of using sentences if you would like. (3 pts) We will work throughout the year to master the perspectives on page 12. At this time, you only have to read the page and have a basic understanding of them. Close Up: Improve Your Retention—and Your Grades! (pg 16‐17) 9. Why is “trying and failing to retrieve the answer…actually helpful to learning”? (1 pt) 10. How does the book work with the SQ3R strategy? (1 pt) 11. Which of the 5 study tips do you need to work on the most? (1 pt) Careers in Psychology (pg 20‐24) 12. Which of the careers in psychology would interest you the most? Explain. (1 pt) 13. Which career would dislike having the most? Explain. (1 pt) The Need for Psychological Science (pg 30‐36) 14. Explain the phrase “opposites attract” using hindsight bias. (you should also actually try the activity in table 4.1 on page 32!) (2 pts) 15. Perceiving order in random events was also discussed on the paragraph about Bacon split between pages 2 and 3. How does this concept relate to either: astrology/horoscopes or dreams? (2 pts) 16. What class has challenged you to think critically the most in your high school career? (1 pt) 17. Did you notice the AP Exam Tip sections on every page? Which one do you think will be most helpful for you this year? Consider your own weaknesses in your answer. (2 pt) Part III (25 formative points) Submit a hard copy, in the beginning of class. You may print the chart and handwrite the definitions or choose to type the definitions. Do this AFTER reading each section. I will explain why the first week of school! Word/Person tabula rasa Empiricism Structuralism Introspection Functionalism Experimental psychology Behaviorists Humanistic psychologists Cognitive neuroscience psychology Nature‐nurture issue Natural selection Levels of analysis Biopsychosocial approach Psychometrics Definition/Significance
Applied research Human factors psychologist Counseling psychologist Clinical psychologist psychiatrist Positive psychology Community psychology Hindsight bias Curious skepticism Critical thinking