AP Psychology: 8-Week Exam Review

Prepare for the AP Psychology exam with this comprehensive review course, designed to reinforce key concepts, refine test-taking strategies, and build confidence. Through targeted instruction and practice, students will master the core principles of psychology and learn to apply them effectively to multiple-choice questions and free-response essays. By the end of this course, students will be well-equipped to achieve a high score on the AP Psychology exam.

Exam Format and Strategies

• Understand the exam structure — 75 multiple-choice questions and two free-response questions
• Learn effective time-management techniques to maximize performance on both sections
• Practice analyzing and responding to article-based free-response prompts — focusing on research methods, variables, and ethical considerations

Memory and Cognition

• Explore the processes of encoding, storage, and retrieval — the foundations of memory
• Differentiate between various memory systems — sensory, short-term, and long-term memory
• Learn about memory distortions and how memories can be altered
• Understand memory measures

Sensation and Perception

• Differentiate between sensation and perception — from receiving stimuli to interpreting information
• Explore the roles of sense organs — eyes, ears, nose, skin, and taste buds
• Understand the concept of transduction — converting external stimuli into neural activity
• Distinguish between bottom-up and top-down processing — how the brain interprets sensory information

States of Consciousness

• Define different levels of consciousness and their impact on behavior
• Explore the impact of sleep — and sleep deprivation — on cognitive function and overall health
• Understand the different sleep stages — including the role of REM sleep
• Investigate the effects of psychoactive drugs on consciousness and behavior

Motivation and Emotion

• Explore the biological and psychological factors driving motivation
• Examine major theories of emotion — including James-Lange, Cannon-Bard, and Schachter-Singer
• Understand the interplay between cognition and emotion — how thoughts influence feelings
• Examine the physiological responses associated with different emotions

Psychological Disorders

• Understand the criteria used to classify psychological disorders — referencing the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)
• Explore the symptoms, causes, and treatments for various disorders — including anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and schizophrenia
• Discuss the biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to mental illness

Social Psychology

• Explore concepts of social cognition — including attitudes, stereotypes, and prejudice
• Investigate the influence of social factors on behavior — conformity, obedience, and group dynamics
• Understand the causes and consequences of aggression and altruism
• Examine interpersonal relationships and attraction