due this week

Please remember to share your Google presentation with me by tomorrow night (Tuesday) at midnight and be tracking your sleep and dreams (see last post).

Here are the due dates for the unit 10 reading:
p. 479-490 due Wednesday 12/19
p. 490-500 due Thursday 12/20
p. 500-510 due Friday 12/21
p. 511-518 due the first class after break (Wednesday 1/2 for D block; Thursday 1/3 for B block)

end of unit practice test answers and sleep log info

Here are the answers for the end of unit practice quizzes that are in your book:
8A/motivation:  1) B; 2) B; 3) D; 4) D; 5) E; 6) A; 7) B; 8) D; 9) C; 10) C; 11) E; 12) A; 13) C; 14) A; 15) A
8B/emotions and stress:
1) E; 2) B; 3) D; 4) D; 5) C; 6) C; 7) E; 8) A; 9) C; 10) A; 11) C; 12) A; 13) B; 14) D; 15) D


Also, here are the directions for the sleep log I mentioned in class today.  Please set up the chart and start logging your sleep next week - Monday 12/17 should be day 1.

For our next unit, you need to keep a sleep log for at least two weeks, one of which needs to be a week of vacation.  Set up your log as a table with the following columns, and then record your data from each night in rows:
--Date/day
--time to bed
--time awake
--dreams? (including fragments; include a summary if yes, whether or not they related to anything that happened that day, and note whether or not they were in color and what stimuli were included--taste, touch, smell, sound--other than visuals)
--how you felt upon waking
--number of naps/additional time slept
--energy level throughout the day
--caffeine intake

types of stressors exercise

Here are the answers to exercise 17.1 ("Between a rock and a hard place") on the different types of stressors:
dentist = approach-avoidance, ice cream flavors = approach-approach, bad breath but attractive = approach-avoidance, class time = avoidance-avoidance, vacation spot = approach-approach,  medical treatment = avoidance-avoidance (this is actually a double approach-avoidance, since there are pros and cons for both options), colleges = approach-approach, steak or ribs = avoidance-avoidance, car =  approach-avoidance, plastic surgery = approach-avoidance

due dates for 12/3-12/10

Due dates for next week for both classes:

Due Monday 12/3 for G block and Tuesday 12/4 for D block:   please bring 2-3 (at least 2) print advertisements to class that you find striking.  You don't need to do anything written for this, but need to have some reasoning behind why you chose them (other than that they were the first ones you saw).

Also, here are your reading due dates for unit 8B (I had to adjust some of the dates a bit depending on when classes meet, so there may be a few slight changes from the original schedule):
D block:
366-376 for Tuesday 12/4
377-387 for Wednesday 12/5
388-396 for Thursday 12/6 (please also bring a piece of emotional artwork - in color, if possible, and not Munch's The Scream)
397-406 for Monday 12/10

G block:

366-376 for Wednesday 12/5
377-387 for Thursday 12/6
388-396 for Friday 12/7 (please also bring a piece of emotional artwork - in color, if possible, and not Munch's The Scream)
397-406 for Monday 12/10


Here's a link to the project description and here's where you can sign up with a research question.  Please note the changes in the due dates (must be shared with me by the end of the day Tuesday 12/18 i.e. before midnight). Just to clarify a bit more about the project itself:  your presentation should be about 5 minutes long and contain about as many slides (excluding a title slide or any other extra slides of that nature that you choose to add, which is up to you).    

due next week (11/26-11/30)

Unit 8 A reading due dates (I hope you're motivated to do it):

327-336 for Monday 11/26
337-348 for Tuesday 11/27
348-354 for Thursday 11/29
354-362 for Friday 11/30

Also for Friday (optional):  bizarre food bazaar - worth 10 points of extra credit for term 2:

Prepare a rare, exotic or otherwise interesting and unfamiliar dish to share with brave and willing members of the class.  You may choose to bring in something that’s either homemade or store-bought, so long as it meets the following requirements:    

• Most people in the class will not be familiar with it
• Bring enough to serve about 15 people with a bite-size sample at least (we’ll assume that not everyone will want to try everything)
• Also bring a serving utensil for your dish, such as a large spoon, ladle or spatula.  
• If your dish contains any potential allergens (such as nuts, milk, wheat or shellfish), create a separate label for your dish to warn potential consumers
• Complete a brief write-up with the following to turn in to me:  the name of your dish, a list of ingredients and why you chose to bring this particular dish, and be prepared to give a brief explanation of the dish at the conclusion of the food bazaar
• DO NOT reveal the name or ingredients of your item to your classmates until the end of the bazaar!

Please let me know in class Thursday if you want to commit to bring something so that I know how much class time to allocate to this activity.

assignments for next week (11/19-11/20)

Your unit 7 test is Tuesday 11/20.  The following is due Monday (based on the reading given out in class):

Opening Skinner’s Box – “Lost in the Mall” and “Memory, Inc.”

For this assignment, please read the chapter you received in class and respond to the following in writing:

1.       How does the chapter build on terms, ideas and concepts presented in the Myers text?  Explain, using 3 examples.

2.       Of the real-world implications of the research presented in the chapter, which did you find the most problematic?  Which did you find the most beneficial?

3.       Choose a 2-3 sentence quote from the chapter that struck you as particularly significant to the message of the chapter overall, and record it, along with its page number and your reaction to it (why you chose it, or why you believe it reflects the essence of the chapter).

Due Monday 11/19 and worth 10 points for 2^nd quarter.

unit 7 reading

Please begin reading unit 7 and bring your notes to class on the following days:

D block:
p. 255-265 for Thursday 11/1
p. 265-74 for Monday 11/5
p. 274-284 for Wednesday 11/7
p. 285-294 for Thursday 11/8
p. 298-307 (beginning of 7B/cognition) for Friday 11/9
p. 308-318 for Tuesday 11/13
p. 318-322 for Wednesday 11/4

G block:

p. 255-265 for Thursday 11/1
p. 265-274 for Friday 11/2
p. 274-284 for Monday 11/5
p. 285-294 for Wednesday 11/7
p. 298-307 (beginning of 7B/cognition) for Thursday 11/8
p. 308-318 for Tuesday 11/13
p. 318-322 for Wednesday 11/4

Here are the links to the clips I referred to in class:  the woman with a perfect (episodic) memory and the musician with anterograde amnesia (the inability to form new memories)

Update: unit 6 test moved to Wednesday, unit 7A next

Since we don't have school tomorrow (Monday 10/29) and may not have it Tuesday, I'm moving your unit 6 test to Wednesday 10/31.  We'll be missing a G day, and, since the schedule is set for the year, we'll return to school (hopefully) on Tuesday, which is a If we have school Tuesday, which is an A day (or, if there's no school Tuesday, then Wednesday, which is a B day).  You probably want to download and print any review materials on the blog if you want them, since there's a good chance of power outages tomorrow and Tuesday.

We're moving on to unit 7 (memory and cognition) next.  Pages 255-265 will be due Thursday 11/1.

unit 6 quiz answers and extra credit

Here are the unit 6 quiz answers (for progress tests 1 and 2).

Extra credit - worth up to 10 points (if done well), and due by the end of the day on Friday 11/2:

Read "The Perfected Self" by David Freedman, and, in respond to the following prompts in 1.5-2 typed, double-spaced pages:

-Summarize the article (in a paragraph)
-What would Skinner think of the programs described in the article?
-What concepts (either terminology or other ideas) does this reinforce--pun intended!--from class and the Myers' textbook?

Include 3 quotations from the article to substantiate your explanation.  Your response needs to make it clear that you read the article thoroughly and thoughtfully.

Please also note:  there's no need for the trappings of a formal essay (thesis statement, intro and conclusion paragraphs, etc.), but you do need to organize your response effectively.

due dates for unit 6 (learning) reading

Here's the behavior modification project description.  See me or e-mail me with questions.  (If you e-mail me and I don't respond, it's because the filters blocked your e-mail, so just please come see me).

We're jumping ahead to unit 6 next.  Here are the due dates for the reading (note the slight changes):

G block:
Due Monday 10/15:  215-222
Due Tuesday 10/16:  223-228
Due Wednesday 10/17:  228-235
Due Thursday 10/18:  235-242
Due Monday 10/22:  242-249
Due Tuesday 10/23:  answers to "Opening Skinner's Box" chapter
Due Friday 10/26:  behavior modification project (see description above)
Your unit 6 test is Monday 10/29 (format is multiple choice and open response)

D block:
Due Tuesday 10/16:  215-228
Due Thursday 10/18:  228-235
Due Friday 10/19:  235-242
Due Monday 10/22:  242-249

Due Tuesday 10/23:  answers to "Opening Skinner's Box" chapter
Due Friday 10/26:  behavior modification project (see description above)
Your unit 6 test is Monday 10/29 (format is multiple choice and open response)


Also, here are the answers for the unit 6 self-test at the end of the chapter:
1. D;  2. A;  3. C;  4. A;  5. A;  6. E;  7. D;  8. D;  9. E;  10. B;  11. B;  12. B;  13. A;  14. C;  15. C

Also:  you may want to register as a student at http://bcs.worthpublishers.com/myersAP1e/#t_612492____ so that you can use the resources that accompany the textbook (such as practice quizzes and review worksheets)

crossword answers (and G block: bring books tomorrow!)

Here are the crossword answers (and a few clues that didn't get copied because they were on the back of the page--sorry!!)

G block:  please bring your Myers text to class tomorrow.  We have long block, so you can have the extra time to start the next unit.

next week (10/9-10/12)

Reminders for next week:

D block, please meet me in lab 320 on Tuesday 10/9.  You'll have time to work on the neuropsych research assignment and skit assignment (the requirements for the skit are here, and you're performing them on Thursday 10/11).  If you were absent on Friday 10/5, please do the following as an alternate:  explain how 10 terms from unit 3 might apply to a typical day in your life.  Be clear about how you use the terms so it's apparent you know what they mean.

Both classes:  your neuropsych research summary/application of terms is also due Thursday 10/11, as is the review skit.

Please remember that you have a unit 3 test next Friday 10/12.

what's new in neuropsych assignment

What’s New in Neuropsychology and Behavior Genetics?

For this assignment, you need to find an article that expands upon anything presented in unit 3 of the Myers text (anything about the brain, brain chemistry, genetics, etc.).

First, check the comments below and this google document to see what everyone else has chosen so there’s no overlap.  If an article is already posted, you need to find another. 

Next, find an article about brain or genetic research that’s less than a year old and is from a reputable news source (not some random blog or website whose authors are less than qualified to be presenting research). 

Summarize the article as follows in a single paragraph:

-Describe the basics of the research:  who’s doing it, where (at what institution) and why

Also describe the findings thus far and how this is new, different and adds to our knowledge base

-Explain any aspects of the research that may be problematic, questionable or controversial

-Unlike what I said in class, include terminology (I think it’d be more difficult to leave it out and have others fill in the blanks).  Have at least 5 relevant terms from the chapter that are clearly applied to the research and its findings. 
-Please be prepared to pose a thoughtful question to your classmates that encourages them to review the terms and concepts from the chapter, but also is a question that you're able to answer yourself.  Please write the question and be prepared with an answer (though it does not have to be written).
-Also, be prepared to briefly explain your article in class 

Please sign up for an article in this Google document and include the name of the article you’re choosing and the source information.  Provide a URL if possible, but DO NOT ONLY INCLUDE THE URL!  The other information is required as well, so that not everyone has to open the link.  It’s not considered yours until you post the full information.

You will have some class time to work on this (Wednesday 10/3 for G block, and Tuesday 10/9 for D block).  It’s due in class on Thursday 10/11 and worth up to 10 points for first quarter.   

If you have extra time during the lab period, you may want to check out http://www.quizlet.com for Myers-related review materials.  

Reading due dates (and other advance notices) for unit 3

Here are your due dates for unit 3.  Please remember to bring your own original notes to class every day.

Due tomorrow (Tuesday 9/25):  pages 66-73
Due Thursday (9/27):  pages 74-83
Due Monday (10/1):  pages 83-91
Due Thursday (10/4):  pages 94-103
Due Friday (10/5):  pages 103-111

You will have a couple of other assignments for this unit as well, including looking into what's new in neuropsychology and a cultural scavenger hunt of sorts.  Each assignment will count as either a couple of homework grades or a small project grade (they will be around 10-20 points each).  More details to come as I finalize them; just wanted to make you aware so you can plan accordingly.

Begin unit 3

Both classes:  please have reading/notes done on unit 3A for Monday 9/24.  I'll let you know the other due dates as soon as I determine them based on when our classes meet.  Unit 3 is a long (and somewhat difficult) unit, so please give it its due time and attention.

D block only...

Please take first lunch tomorrow (Thursday) and every other test day for quarters 1 and 2.  (Sorry, I meant to mention this to you today).

test Thursday 9/20 - review materials from class

Please be reviewing your notes on units 1 and 2 for Thursday's test.  Format is multiple choice and short answer with term application.

Here are the homework quizzes from last week (there are a few different versions) and here's the answer key to the worksheet on designing carefully controlled research (with the colorful boss, bad driver and going for the gold scenarios).

You may find this site (Quizlet) helpful for reviewing throughout the year.  Do a search for "Myers Psychology for the AP" for relevant materials.  Also, the study guide that accompanies the textbook is available for purchase (here's a link, though you can also find it elsewhere).

due Tuesday 9/18: naturalistic observation; test Thursday 9/20

Here's the naturalistic observation assignment (see below).  Please ask me if you have any questions.  It's due next Tuesday (9/18) (Wednesday for G block, since we don't meet Tuesday).

Your first test (on units 1 and 2) is Thursday 9/20.  Format will be multiple choice and short answer with application of terms.  Please remember that you can find out when tests are scheduled at any point in the year by opening the Google doc I posted earlier this week.  Those dates won't change.

Conduct a Naturalistic Observation – AP Psych (unit 2)

You will be conducting a naturalistic observation, one of the descriptive research methods.  Before you conduct the observation, you need to generate some hypothesis about human behavior (this may be individual or group behavior) that you will be able to observe.    Research--and its results--must have value, so your hypothesis needs to be something without an obvious answer, i.e. something you actually need to collect data to answer. Remember that you are looking for observable behaviors:  don’t make assumptions or interpret the behavior.  You may work with a single partner on this activity if you wish.  

When you conduct the study, spend about half an hour taking notes and/or collecting data on what you are observing.  You also need to provide a piece of evidence to show that you did in fact conduct the observation--this part is up to you, but must be clear.  Remember not to interfere with the behavior of the subjects in any way as you observe.  

For the written portion (please TYPE!), describe in 1-2 paragraphs the following information:

• your hypothesis

• the location and subjects you observed

• the behavior you observed (only what you actually saw - NOT your

assumptions or interpretations)

• what your research (and data you collected) suggests about your hypothesis

• 3 (or more) correctly and thoughtfully applied bold terms from unit 2, aside from naturalistic observation and hypothesis.  Be careful that you are using the psychological definitions of common words, not the “real world” definition.  Please put key terms in bold face for this and every assignment this year.     

Please attach your notes/data and evidence to the written portion (unless it is clearly contained in the write-up).  Grading will be based on originality and thoughtfulness of the idea, correct application of the terminology, fluidity and clarity of the writing and overall level of effort, thought and sophistication apparent in the final write-up.   

Additional notes:  

• Actually do it (don’t just write about it)
• Be safe!  Don’t put yourself in any potentially dangerous situations in the name of science.  

Out of 30 points.
Due at the start of class on Tuesday 9/18 (5 point penalty for late submissions) or via Google doc shared with me if you’re not in school.  Please remember that your work must be printed and handed in at the start of class to receive full credit.  

test schedule for the year

Here are your test dates for this year.  Because of the rigidity of the schedule and the fact that we have to finish the curriculum by April vacation, these aren't going to change.  Please be sure that no planned absences conflict with these dates.

reading assignments for units 1 and 2

The due dates for units 1 and 2 in the new Myers book are below.  You are responsible for any new material that wasn't included in the Myers 7th edition text, so take notes on anything that looks new.  I will return your summer work notes ASAP.  Remember also that you will have other written work next week and the following week, so use the next few days to get ahead of the reading as much as possible.  Also note that some of the pages below overlap; when that's the case, please read to the beginning of the section heading on that page (e.g. for Wednesday, read up to the section heading "correlation," then read that section through page 37 for Thursday).

    

Due Monday 9/10:  unit 1

Due Wednesday 9/12:  pages 18-29

Due Thursday 9/13:  pages 29-37

Due Friday 9/14:  pages 37-46

Please return the old Myers book to me on Monday.

course syllabus

Here's a link to the course syllabus.

A note to members of last year's class who chose to follow this blog:  I'm reusing the same web address this year, so you may want to "unfollow" the blog or you will continue to get e-mail alerts when there's a new post.

summer assignment

Here's a link to the summer assignment.