Psychology Honors
Syllabus
Course Essential Questions
- How does Psychology explain human behavior?
- How is the field of Psychology driven by scientific evidence?
- How do our innate differences and experiences interact to shape who we are and how we see the world?
Course Learning Objectives
- Describe psychology as a discipline and identify its goals as a science.
- Evaluate how biology, the environment, development, and social and cultural factors shape behavior and mental processes.
- Apply psychological concepts and skills to real life scenarios to explain behavior.
- Analyze psychological studies to evaluate data and draw valid conclusions about human behavior.
- Explain how applied psychological science promotes healthy living and contributes to well-being.
Unit 1: The Science of Psychology (Weeks 1-2)
Unit Level Essential Questions
- What is Psychology?
Week 1: Psychology as Science
Weekly Learning Objectives
- Apply the rules and policies of the course, and expectations of you as a contributing member of our learning community.
- Build community by sharing important information with your teacher and classmates about yourself and your school.
- Develop your skills for navigating the course environment and using the various course tools.
- Define psychology as a discipline and identify its goals as a science.
Week 2: Scientific Research and Inquiry
Weekly Learning Objectives
- Define psychology as a discipline and identify its goals as a science.
- Differentiate between scientific and non-scientific approaches to knowledge.
- Explain the value of both basic and applied psychological research in learning about human behavior.
Unit 2: Biological Basis of Behavior (Weeks 3-5)
Unit Level Essential Question:
- How does biology affect behavior?
Week 3: Biology and Behavior
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Identify and describe the structures and functions of the various parts of the central nervous system.
- Identify and evaluate methods and tools used to study the nervous system.
- Evaluate the interactive effects of heredity and environment in the world around you.
Week 4: Consciousness
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Identify states of consciousness.
- Distinguish between processing that is conscious and other processing that happens without conscious awareness.
Week 5: Sleep and Dreams
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Describe the sleep cycle and the circadian rhythm and its relation to sleep.
- Compare theories about the functions of sleep and of dreaming.
Unit 3: Cognition (Weeks 6-7)
Unit Level Essential Question:
- How does cognition affect our behavior?
Week 6: Thinking and Processing
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Describe cognitive processes related to concept formation.
- Explain processes involved in problem solving and decision making.
- Describe obstacles to effective information processing and decision making and evaluate their role in your life.
Week 7: Memory
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Explain the processes of encoding, storage, and retrieval.
- Describe systems of memory (sensory, working, and long-term memory).
- Explain strategies for improving the encoding, storage, and retrieval of memories.
- Evaluate the impact of disorders that affect the function of memory.
Unit 4: Development and Learning (Weeks 8-9)
Unit Level Essential Question:
- What roles do environment, experience, and maturation have on behavior across the life span?
Week 8: Lifespan Development
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Explain the interaction of environmental and biological factors in development, including the role of the brain in all aspects of development.
- Identify key features of physical, cognitive, and social development from prenatal through older adulthood.
Week 9: Learning
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Describe classical and operant conditioning and identify clinical and experimental examples of both.
- Describe the role of mental processes in learning.
- Compare different types of learning and apply to your own learning.
Unit 5: Social Psychology (Weeks 10 - 11)
Unit Level Essential Question:
- What individual differences occur between humans and how do those differences interact with social and cultural factors to shape behavior?
Week 10: Social Influences
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Explain how experiences shape attitudes and beliefs.
- Identify and explain how attitudes, biases, and beliefs affect behavior and relationships with others.
- Analyze how the presence of other people and intergroup dynamics can affect behavior.
Week 11: Multiculturalism and Gender
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Define culture and describe its role in individual and group characteristics.
- Explain how inequality of power and resources relates to privilege, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.
- Compare and contrast sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
- Describe the psychological effects of privilege, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.
Unit 6: Mental and Physical Health (Weeks 12-15)
Unit Level Essential Questions:
- How does stress affect us?
- How can psychological science promote mental and physical health and wellness?
Week 12: Psychological Disorders
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Define abnormal behavior and describe cross-cultural views of abnormality.
- Explain the impact of psychological disorders on the individual, family, and society.
- Explain how stigma relates to abnormal behavior and evaluate the effects on individuals.
Week 13: Stress
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Explain sources of stress across the lifespan.
- Identify environmental factors that cause a psychological stress response.
- Explain the physiological and psychological consequences of stress for health and wellness.
- Identify physiological, cognitive, and behavioral strategies to deal with stress.
Week 14: Mental Health and Wellness
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Describe factors that promote resilience and flourishing.
- Apply evidence-based strategies that promote health and wellness.
Week 15: The Impact of Psychology
Weekly Learning Objectives:
- Reflect on our learning of the science of Psychology.
- Identify Psychology in the world around us and describe its impacts.