Study Resources for Your History & Methods Test

Whew! That unit flew by...and now students are preparing for their test on History/Approaches & Research Methods, which will happen on Monday, Sept. 30th. If you like, you are welcome to join us on Sunday, Sept. 29th at 5 PM, for organized review.

In addition, I've compiled some online study tools for you below.

• An online multiple choice quiz on Schools of Psychology.
• An online multiple choice quiz on Research Methods. 
• A 5-minute video reviewing Correlational Methods & Stats
• A video on experimental methods.
• A review of basic psych statistics (descriptive & inferential)
• A video review of the difference between random assignment & random selection.

Flashcard sets (2) for this unit are also embedded below! :) Happy studying!

Studying for Your Sensation and Perception Test

We will be wrapping up our sensation & perception unit tomorrow with a test on those topics, so that means tonight should involve some careful studying of the many (over 100!) terms and concepts we learned over the past couple of weeks. To help you, I've included some links and videos below.

How the Eye Works (a little more detailed than the version we used in class, but it does hit all of the major parts). For more info on this and other eye-related stuff, check out the National Eye Institute Website.


How the Ear Works


For your entertainment as you review all those depth perception cues: SNL Skit on No-Depth Perception Guy!



And, of course, we don't want to leave out our favorite vocab review tool: Quizlet. For your reviewing pleasure, all 105 vocabulary terms from this unit. Yikes!

Nature & Nurture Review Tools

As you prepare for the Unit Three test, some review tools...

• Although somewhat advanced (not all the questions relate to our course content), this practice MC test on heritability would be a good review of that important, but difficult, concept.
• This short video reviews Twin Studies & Adoption Studies, though an even MORE in-depth, multi-part tutorial can be found here.
• Video Crash Course: Natural Selection - Though more animal biology-related, this video reviews the basic principle that applies in Evolutionary Psych as well.
• Video Crash Course: Heredity - NOTE: Heredity not the same thing as "heritability," but this is still a helpful overview of genes, chromosomes, DNA, etc.
• Heritability Explained - more web articles & quiz questions to test your understanding of the concept.

The video below reviews Twin Studies:

Of course, we don't want to forget our good friend Quizlet. There may be fewer vocabulary terms this unit, but that doesn't mean they are not important to know and apply. Obviously, some may appear on the FRQ you are asked to do, so be ready to explain how these terms impact development & human differences.

 

Boatload of Neuroscience Study Tools

It is that time of the year! The time for all good AP Psychology students to review their neuroscience. To that end, I'm including here a TON of great study helps: some video, some online quizzes, and some flashcards.

First up, if you made it through the study guide that you received in class and would like some more ways to put your knowledge of neuroscience and the brain to the test, have I got the practice for you! Below I'm posting links to two online multiple choice tests that will give you feedback on your mastery of this unit's content.

• Neuroscience & the Nervous System
• The Brain: Anatomy & Function

If you're not feeling quite fluent in the operations of the nervous system in general, below you'll find an excellent "crash course" video on the operations of the nervous system. This 12 minute video captures a great deal of the "big ideas" from this unit. If you would like to use more of these types of videos, check out the great biopsych collection at Education Portal Academy's Psych 101 Course. There are individual videos on virtually every topic we covered this unit.



And, last but not least, there's our old friend Quizlet. Embedded below are the flashcards for the 79 terms for this unit. As always, remember that it is not likely sufficient to JUST know these terms and their definitions, since you will have to know how to apply them in new and dynamic ways to demonstrate understanding on the test. However, no one does well in AP Psych WITHOUT mastering their vocabulary, so this is a great place to start.


And, don't forget that you also have the chance to study with other real live human beings (including your teacher) on Tuesday evening from 5-7 PM. Best of luck, everyone!

Fun with Video

Today I took a course on how to use screen capture and video tools to create quick presentations for viewing outside of class. I'll be incorporating some of these into lessons in the coming year. The one you see below is an overview of how to use Quizlet flashcards for vocabulary review, a study resource that many AP Psych students use extensively.

Sorry for the background noise...a bunch of us were working in the same lab at the same time.

Motivation and Emotion Unit Flashcards

Our test on Motivation & Emotion will come up soon after break (Tuesday, March 6th). To that end, be sure to make plans to attend our study session the night before (Monday, March 5th) from 5-7 PM. In the meantime, in addition to the study guide you received in class, you might find it helpful to brush up on the terms for this unit.
Motivation (Ch. 12)

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards

Emotion (Ch. 13 & some portions of Ch. 14)

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Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

Learning & Memory Quizlets

Each of the two topics for this unit - Learning and Memory - have their own Quizlet flashcard sets. I've embedded them below, but you are also welcome to visit each set page and print off your own flashcards. Good luck with your studies!

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

Nature & Nurture Quizlet

Those of you studying from home tonight might find the Nature and Nurture Quizlet vocab review helpful. Also don't forget to check out the Unit Objectives for Chapter 3 for a handy checklist of stuff you should be prepared to know and do for tomorrow's test.

Good luck with your studying!

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

Neuroscience Quizlet

Per request, I'm posting the Quizlet flashcard review here for ease of access. Keep in mind, this link is permanently available on the Study Resources tab for this page if you need to access it later.

Test for this Unit will be TUESDAY, October 4th!

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards | Study neuroscience flash cards

New Quizlet Flashcards Available!

For most subjects in AP Psych, I have created online flashcards sets through Quizlet for your reviewing pleasure! I recently updated and added new terms/people to the two sets for this unit: History & Approaches and Research Methods. If you access them using the links provided, you'll be able to play games and test yourself on major terms and people for this unit.

I am in the process of transferring all of my Quizlet links to the Study Resources page of this website. So, you should be able to access them there at any time. Please be patient with me as I make the switch with all of the vocab review links.

If you are in the mood for a very quick review, you can use the applets I've embedded in this post for simple flashcard review. Happy studying!

History & Approaches Set (Prologue):

Choose a Study ModeScatterLearnFlashcards

Study these flash cards | Study history flash cards

Research Methods Set (Chapter 1):

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Study these flash cards | Study psychology flash cards

Quizlet for Motivation Unit

Greetings, all.

This Quizlet on Motivation should help with test prep tonight. Good luck. :)

New Quizlet Added: Thinking & Language

Sorry for the delay, but here's the link to the Quizlet on Thinking & Language! From here on out you will be able to find it on the "Commonly Used Course Links" list on the left hand side of the blog.

New Quizlet Links Added!

Just in time for this unit's vocabulary review, links to two new Quizlets (online flashcard sets) have been added to this site. From here on out, they will be accessible through the "Commonly Used Course Links" section on the left-hand side of the blog page.

Here they are:

Quizlet -Learning

Quizlet- Memory


With 99 terms between the two of them, there's plenty to review!

Hope to see you at the review session this evening. Otherwise, best of luck on tomorrow's test!

Study Resources for AP Psychology

With the first quiz of the year behind us, it is about the time when many students begin to consider making changes to their study routines. If you feel your study habits need revitalization (or a serious kick in the pants), there are a number of resources available to give you some direction.

Free Resources

Your textbook has a companion website that offers chapter summaries, quizzes on anatomical diagrams (helpful for Chatper 2), and two online quizzes for each chapter. You may have to create an account (provide email address and a password) to access the site, but this is an easy step. This link is ALWAYS available in the links list on the left-hand side of the blog.

I have also (sometimes with the help of students) created online flashcard sets for your use. I am working toward having these available for every unit, but am not quite there yet. There is a set for research methods, and other sets are available on the links list (left-hand side).

I also have a number of flashcard sets (physical copies) available in my room for use during the school day, such as during a study hall or Lunch & Learn. However, I don't let students take these home at night because I've lost several sets that way...and I don't like losing money.

Resources for Purchase

• Textbook companion Study Guide: it has TONS of study prompts, practice tests, reading questions, etc. to make sure you're understanding the reading in the book. I have provided a link to an online resource for purchasing used copies, which are available for super-cheap.


• Barron's AP Psychology flashcards: I've had students who use these regularly to prepare for tests, and they also come in handy during AP exam time in the spring. The local Borders store has sometimes had copies of these on hand, so they might be a source if you don't like to order online. But call ahead because they usually only stock one or two copies...and there are probably 300-400 AP Psych students in the area who might beat you to it.

As always, if you feel like you are lost at sea, please come talk to me! I can help you sort out what is working for you and what is not, and hopefully I can suggest avenues that you haven't tried yet. There is no single magic formula for success in this class because everyone is different, so together we can find out what works for you.

That being said, if you are not willing or able to put time into your studies, there is nothing I can tell you and no resource I can recommend that will get you A's without effort. So please come ready to roll up your sleeves!

Another one...

Completed by our classmate Sally Mueller... the Sensation (Chapter 5) Quizlet!

See you Sunday at 6:00 PM for our review session! Featured topics include:

• Neuroscience
• Research Methods
• "All that Math Stuff" (standard deviation, descriptive stats)
• Learning (UCR, CR, etc.)

Just Added: Research Methods Quizlet

Thanks to the efforts of classmate Allie Tanzer, we have a new quizlet for our reviewing needs! Allie put together a list of 34 terms from our Research Methods unit (Chapter 1).

Feel free to give it a run-through as you are brushing up on those Chapter 1 notes.

Here's the link: Research Methods Quizlet

Famous Psychologists Quizlet

As the AP Psychology Exam approaches, you may want to avail yourself of some online resources for review.

I have several sets of online vocabulary flashcards available (linked on the left hand navigation bar). More to come, of course. They include options to create "tests" for yourself, play games, or just shuffle through the deck for familiarity.

I would highly recommend using the Famous Psychologists Quizlet to review all those fabulous people in psychology. My list was recently updated to include all the folks recommended by the College Board for the AP Psych curriculum, plus a few more.

There are 75 people in all, and knowing them will also help you review some of the biggest ideas in psychology. Happy reviewing!

Vocab Review: Psych Disorders & Treatment

If you're looking for a quick study aid for this unit's test, try this: Pysch Disorders and Treatment Quizlet.

Quizlet is an online review site that allows you to create vocabulary lists and use them to generate flashcards, play matching games, and generally familiarize yourself with the terms. I've uploaded terms for this particular unit because so many students struggle with all the new vocab.