The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the methods psychologists use in their science and practice.

An introductory college course in psychology is generally one semester, with some variation among colleges. An AP Psychology course need not follow any specific college course curriculum. Rather, the aim of the course is to provide the student with a learning experience equivalent to that obtained in most college introductory psychology courses.

Content Outline

Following is an outline of the major content areas covered by the AP Psychology Examination. This is a guide and is not intended as an exclusive list of topics.

I. History and Approaches

II. Research Methods

III. Biological Bases of Behavior

IV. Sensation and Perception

V. States of Consciousness

VI. Learning

VII. Cognition

VIII. Motivation and Emotion

IX. Developmental Psychology

X. Personality

XI. Testing and Individual Differences

XII. Abnormal Psychology

XIII. Treatment of Psychological Disorders

XIV. Social Psychology

Last Revised: July 21, 2005