AP Psychology AP 心理学
📌 Course at a glance
· 5 units · key topics drilled across the official outline
· Next exam: 2026-05-12 · 2026-05-12
📝 Full chapter-by-chapter lecture walkthroughs are being written. This page is the course outline — every unit and topic that will be covered, with key concepts you can already start to recognise. Use it as a study map; the chapter notes drop in over the coming weeks.
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Course outline
Unit 1 · Biological Bases of Behavior 行为的生物学基础
Exam weight: 15-20%
1.1 — Neurons and Neural Communication 神经元与神经传递
· Neuron structure · Synaptic transmission · Neurotransmitters · Action potential
1.2 — The Nervous System 神经系统
· Central nervous system · Peripheral nervous system · Sympathetic nervous system · Parasympathetic nervous system
1.3 — Brain Structure and Function 脑结构与功能
· Cerebral cortex · Functions of brain lobes · Limbic system · Brain stem · Cerebellum
1.4 — Brain Research Methods 脑研究方法
· fMRI · EEG · CT scan · Brain lesion studies
1.5 — The Endocrine System 内分泌系统
· Hormones · Pituitary gland · Adrenal glands · Thyroid gland
1.6 — Genetics and Behavior 遗传与行为
· Gene-environment interaction · Twin studies · Nature versus nurture · Epigenetics
1.7 — Consciousness and Sleep 意识与睡眠
· Sleep stages · REM sleep · Sleep disorders · Circadian rhythms
1.8 — Altered States of Consciousness 意识的改变状态
· Hypnosis · Meditation · Psychoactive substances · Drug dependence
Unit 2 · Cognition 认知
Exam weight: 25-30%
2.1 — Sensation and Sensory Processes 感觉与感觉过程
· Absolute threshold · Difference threshold · Signal detection theory · Sensory adaptation
2.2 — Perception and Perceptual Organization 知觉与知觉组织
· Gestalt principles · Depth perception · Perceptual constancy · Top-down processing
2.3 — Attention and Selective Processing 注意与选择性加工
· Selective attention · Cocktail party effect · Inattentional blindness · Change blindness
2.4 — Memory Encoding and Storage 记忆编码与储存
· Sensory memory · Short-term memory · Long-term memory · Working memory model
2.5 — Memory Retrieval and Forgetting 记忆提取与遗忘
· Retrieval cues · Forgetting curve · Interference theory · False memories
2.6 — Thinking and Problem Solving 思维与问题解决
· Algorithms and heuristics · Functional fixedness · Confirmation bias · Availability heuristic
2.7 — Language Development and Structure 语言发展与结构
· Language acquisition device · Critical period · Linguistic relativity · Grammar development
2.8 — Intelligence and Testing 智力与测试
· IQ testing · Multiple intelligences · Emotional intelligence · Reliability and validity
2.9 — Creativity and Divergent Thinking 创造力与发散思维
· Divergent thinking · Convergent thinking · Measuring creativity · Creative problem solving
Unit 3 · Development and Learning 发展与学习
Exam weight: 20-25%
3.1 — Prenatal Development and Infancy 产前发展与婴儿期
· Teratogens · Reflexes · Attachment theory · Temperament types
3.2 — Cognitive Development (Piaget) 认知发展（皮亚杰）
· Sensorimotor stage · Preoperational stage · Concrete operational stage · Formal operational stage
3.3 — Psychosocial Development (Erikson) 心理社会发展（埃里克森）
· Eight-stage theory · Trust vs. mistrust · Identity · Intimacy vs. isolation
3.4 — Moral Development (Kohlberg) 道德发展（科尔伯格）
· Preconventional level · Conventional level · Postconventional level · Moral reasoning
3.5 — Classical Conditioning 经典条件反射
· Pavlov · Conditioned stimulus · Extinction · Generalization and discrimination
3.6 — Operant Conditioning 操作性条件反射
· Skinner · Positive reinforcement · Negative reinforcement · Punishment · Reinforcement schedules
3.7 — Observational Learning and Cognitivism 观察学习与认知主义
· Bandura · Social learning theory · Self-efficacy · Latent learning
3.8 — Motivation Theories 动机理论
· Maslow's hierarchy of needs · Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation · Drive reduction theory · Self-determination theory
3.9 — Emotion Theories 情绪理论
· James-Lange theory · Cannon-Bard theory · Schachter-Singer theory · Facial feedback hypothesis
3.10 — Adolescent and Adult Development 青少年与成人发展
· Adolescent changes · Cognitive aging · Socioemotional selectivity theory · Lifespan development
Unit 4 · Social Psychology and Personality 社会心理学与人格
Exam weight: 15-20%
4.1 — Attribution Theory 归因理论
· Fundamental attribution error · Self-serving bias · Internal and external attribution · Actor-observer bias
4.2 — Attitudes and Persuasion 态度与说服
· Cognitive dissonance · Elaboration likelihood model · Attitude change · Foot-in-the-door technique
4.3 — Conformity and Group Behavior 从众与群体行为
· Asch conformity experiment · Groupthink · Social loafing · Deindividuation
4.4 — Obedience and Authority 服从与权威
· Milgram experiment · Factors affecting obedience · Authority influence · Power of the situation
4.5 — Prejudice and Discrimination 偏见与歧视
· Stereotypes · In-group bias · Scapegoat theory · Implicit bias
4.6 — Prosocial Behavior and Aggression 亲社会行为与攻击
· Bystander effect · Altruism · Frustration-aggression hypothesis · Social exchange theory
4.7 — Psychodynamic and Humanistic Personality Theories 精神动力学与人本主义人格理论
· Freud's personality structure · Defense mechanisms · Rogers' self theory · Self-actualization
4.8 — Trait and Social-Cognitive Personality Theories 特质与社会认知人格理论
· Big Five personality traits · Personality measurement · Bandura's reciprocal determinism · Locus of control
Unit 5 · Mental and Physical Health 心理与身体健康
Exam weight: 15-20%
5.1 — Defining and Classifying Psychological Disorders 心理障碍的定义与分类
· DSM classification system · Criteria for abnormal behavior · Medical model · Biopsychosocial model
5.2 — Anxiety and Related Disorders 焦虑及相关障碍
· Generalized anxiety disorder · Phobias · Obsessive-compulsive disorder · Post-traumatic stress disorder
5.3 — Mood Disorders 心境障碍
· Major depressive disorder · Bipolar disorder · Learned helplessness · Neurotransmitter imbalance
5.4 — Schizophrenia and Dissociative Disorders 精神分裂症与分离性障碍
· Positive symptoms · Negative symptoms · Dopamine hypothesis · Dissociative identity disorder
5.5 — Psychological Treatment Approaches 心理治疗方法
· Cognitive behavioral therapy · Psychoanalytic therapy · Humanistic therapy · Systematic desensitization
5.6 — Biomedical Therapies 生物医学疗法
· Psychotropic medications · Antidepressants · Antipsychotics · Electroconvulsive therapy
5.7 — Stress and Health 压力与健康
· General adaptation syndrome · Coping strategies · Psychosomatic illness · Social support
5.8 — Research Methods in Psychology 心理学研究方法
· Experimental design · Correlational research · Ethical guidelines · Statistical significance