AP Exam Content Areas
The College Board Course Outline for 2008
These are the major content areas covered by the AP Psychology Examination, as well as the
approximate percentages of the multiple-choice section that are devoted to each area.
Content Area Percentage Goals for Exam (multiple-choice section)
I. History and Approaches (2-4%)
A. Logic, Philosophy, and History of Science
B. Approaches:
1. Biological
2. Behavioral
3. Cognitive
4. Humanistic
5. Psychodynamic
6. Sociocultural
7. Evolutionary
II. Research Methods (8-10%)
A. Experimental, Correlational, and Clinical Research
B. Statistics
1. Descriptive
2. Inferential
C. Ethics in Research
III. Biological Bases of Behavior (8-10%)
A. Physiological Techniques (e.g. imaging, surgical)
B. Neuroanatomy
C. Functional Organization of the Nervous System
D. Neural Transmission
E. Endocrine System
F. Genetics
G. Evolutionary Psychology
IV. Sensation and Perception (6-8%)
A. Thresholds and Signal Detection Theory
B. Sensory Mechanisms
C. Attention
D. Perceptual Processes
V. States of Consciousness (2-4%)
A. Sleep and Dreaming
B. Hypnosis
C. Psychoactive Drug Effects
VI. Learning (7-9%)
A. Classical Conditioning
B. Operant Conditioning
C. Cognitive Processes
D. Biological Factors
E. Social Learning
VII. Cognition (8-10%)
A. Memory
B. Language
C. Thinking
D. Problem Solving and Creativity
VIII. Motivation and Emotion (6-8%)
A. Biological Bases
B. Theories of Motivation
C. Hunger, Thirst, Sex, and Pain
D. Social Motives
E. Theories of Emotion
F. Stress
IX. Developmental Psychology (7-9%)
A. Life-Span Approach
B. Research Methods (e.g., longitudinal, cross-sectional)
C. Heredity-Enviromental Issues
D. Developmental Theories
E. Dimensions of Development
1. Physical
2. Cognitive
3. Social
4. Moral
F. Sex Roles and Gender Differences
X. Personality (5-7%)
A. Personality Theories and Approaches
B. Assessment Techniques
C. Growth and Adjustment
XI. Testing and Individual Differences (5-7%)
A. Standardization and Norms
B. Reliability and Validity
C. Types of Tests
D. Ethics and Standards in Testing
E. Intelligence
XII. Abnormal Psychology (7-9%)
A. Definitions of Abnormality
B. Theories of Psychopathology
C. Diagnosis of Psychopathology
D. Types of Disorders
1. Anxiety
2. Somatoform
3. Mood
4. Schizophrenic
5. Organic
6. Personality
7. Dissociative
XIII. Treatment of Psychological Disorders (5-7%)
A. Treatment Approaches
1. Psychodynamic
2. Humanistic
3. Behavioral
4. Cognitive
5. Biological
B. Modes of Therapy (e.g., individual, group)
C. Community and Preventive Approaches
XIV. Social Psychology (8-10%)
A. Group Dynamics
B. Attribution Processes
C. Interpersonal Perception
D. Conformity, Compliance, Obedience
E. Attitudes and Attitude Change
F. Organizational Behavior
G. Aggression/Antisocial Behavior
H. Cultural Influences
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