AP Psychology
Complete AP Psychology guide aligned to the redesigned course (5 units, each weighted 15-25%). Covers biological bases of behavior, cognition, development and learning, social psychology and personality, and mental and physical health. Includes research methods, classic studies, and FRQ strategy for the new Article Analysis and Evidence-Based questions.
Topics Covered
What you get
Unit 1 — Biological Bases of Behavior
THE BIG PICTURE. Unit 1 builds the biological foundation for everything else in AP Psychology — neurons, the nervous and endocrine systems, the brain, sleep and consciousness, sensation, and perception. The unit weighs 15–25% of the AP exam (each of the 5 units is weighted equally). Mastery of brain anatomy, neurotransmitters, and sensory systems sets up Units 2 and 3 (cognition, learning).
Sample Flashcards
Trace an action potential from start to finish.
RESTING STATE: interior of neuron is ~−70mV (more Na⁺ outside, more K⁺ inside). STIMULATION: dendrites receive enough input to depolarize the cell to threshold (~−55mV). DEPOLARIZATION: voltage-gated Na⁺ channels open; Na⁺ rushes in; cell becomes positive (~+30mV). ALL-OR-NONE: action potential fires fully or not at al…
Match each neurotransmitter to its main function and a related disorder.
ACETYLCHOLINE — muscle movement, memory; loss in Alzheimer's. DOPAMINE — reward, voluntary movement; excess in schizophrenia, loss in Parkinson's. SEROTONIN — mood, sleep, appetite; low in depression (SSRIs target it). NOREPINEPHRINE — alertness, arousal; low in depression. GABA — major inhibitory; low → seizures, anxi…
Sample Key Terms
Neuron
Basic cell of the nervous system. Receives input via dendrites; sends action potential down axon; releases neurotransmitters at synapse.
Action Potential
Electrical signal that travels down a neuron's axon. All-or-none: fires fully if threshold (~−55mV) reached, otherwise not at all. Sodium ions rush in (depolarization), then potassium ions exit (repolarization).
Synapse
Junction between two neurons; the gap (synaptic cleft) where neurotransmitters are released from one neuron's terminal buttons and bind to the next neuron's receptors.
What's Covered
- Unit 1 — Biological Bases of Behavior
- Unit 2 — Cognition
- Unit 3 — Development and Learning
- Unit 4 — Social Psychology and Personality
- Unit 5 — Mental and Physical Health
- AP Psychology — Research Methods & Exam Strategy
6 topics · 55+ flashcards · quizzes & matching games included
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