DYERSBURG HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Subject:              PSYCHOLOGY                                                                                                                                         _____   Semester            

Grade:                                                                                                                                                                                                    _____   Year

 

 

TOPIC

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

AUGUST

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defining psychology:  history of psychology, major approaches and theories.

 

 

The Brain and its parts/brain communications

Topic I

-What is psychology?

-How did the field of psychology develop?

 

-What are the major behavioral theories important in understanding behavior?

-How do social and cultural variables affect development and behavior?

SEPTEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sensation:  Sensory processes

Perception and Illusions

 

 

 

Motivation and Emotion

Topic 2

-What are the major functions of the brain?

-What are the major components of the brain?

-How does brain operation affect behavior?

Topic 3

-Why is understanding the role of human senses important in understanding behavior?

-How does perception affect behavior?

-What are characteristics of good mental health?

OCTOBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exam

 

 

Break

Topic 4

-What is motivation?

-How does emotion affect behavior?

Topic 5

-What is consciousness?

-Why is sleep important?

-Why study dreams?

Topic 6

-What are the major types of learning?

NOVEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

Consciousness/chronobiology

 

Types of learning

 

Heredity vs. Environment

Developmental Patterns

-How do the types of learning affect behavior?

Topic 7

-What is intelligence?

-What are multi-intelligences?

-How is intelligence measured?

-What are the characteristics of creativity?

-What is mental retardation?

DECEMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mental Disorders

 

 

Exams

Topic 8

-How does heredity affect development?

-How does environment affect behavior?

-What are the major developmental theories?

-What is the nature of conflict?

Topic 9

-What is mental illness?

-What are the major types of mental illness?

-What are current methods for dealing with mental illness?