Most of you reading this (taking an AP class) probably consider yourselves intelligent (don’t worry, I am sure you are- even if you are not- I still like you). But how do you really know if you are? Well you could take an intelligent type test; and the two most popular are the Stanford-Binet and … Continue reading “What is Intelligence?”
Language There was a time when I was younger that I would go clubbing and show off my dancing skills. When I first walked into the club I would get my mack on and talk to girls by the bar. When I took the action to the dance floor the music was so loud as … Continue reading “Language”
Cognitive psychology is the most popular school of psychology today. Cognitive psychologists focus on our thinking patterns. They are concerned with how our mind processing information and the schemas we form (see Piaget). Unlike other schools of psychology, cognitive psychologists use the scientific method to analyze thought patterns. If you break up with your significant … Continue reading “Cognitive School”
Developmental Psychology Most of you reading this are anywhere from 16 – 20 years old. I guarantee that just about ten minutes ago this was going through your mind “what’s on TV tonight- I really need to change my myspace picture- I am really fat….that’s it- NO MORE FOOD- but I am supposed to meet … Continue reading “Developmental Psychology”
Developmental Psychology Social Development There was this girl that I met at one of my fraternity parties my junior year of college. She was beautiful and made Jessica Alba look like Squidward. I remember walking up to her and offering her a beer (root beer). Her name was Dawn (from Long Island- in fact every … Continue reading “Developmental Psychology”
Ok- it was the late 1950’s and “make love, not war” era was peaking it’s head around the corner when the humanistic school popped up. People were sick of the impersonality of the behavior school and the negativity of the psychoanalytic school. People wanted to focus, not on the sick, but on the healthy. They … Continue reading “Humanistic School”
So far we talked about motivations behind simple human behaviors like eating and sex. What motivates us the more complicated behaviors, like studying for the AP Psychology test? What motivates us to work hard in school, video games, sports and all those day to day things that take up our day. We call this types … Continue reading “Achievement Motivation”
Motivation When I was in high school my Mom would always tell me to focus on my studies because that was the most important part of my life. So I went up to my room with my books and talked to my girlfriend for three hours every night (what we talked about I have no … Continue reading “An Introduction to Motivation”
Research Methods Let’s take a look at real science!!!! There are two reasons why it is vital that you have a solid understanding of research methods. First, you are more likely to see a free response question on the AP exam from this topic than anywhere else. Second, above all, it is important to remember … Continue reading “Research Methods”
Don’t give me attitude!!! I seem to be always telling people not to give me attitude. I tell my wife about once a week, my kids about once a day, and my students about once a minute. When I say attitude, I am trying to tell people to show respect. In reality an attitude is … Continue reading “Don”
