This class is taught in English.

This class covers the following APA National Standards for High School Psychology Curricula (Revised 2022):

Life Span Development:
~ Methods and issues in life span development 
1.1 Explain the interaction of environmental and biological factors in development, including the role of the brain in all aspects of development
1.2 Explain issues of continuity/discontinuity and stability/ change
1.3 Distinguish methods used to study development
1.4 Describe the role of sensitive and critical periods in development
~ Physical, cognitive, and social development across the life span (prenatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood, adulthood, and older adulthood)
2.1 Identify key features of physical development from prenatal through older adulthood
2.2 Identify key features of cognitive development from prenatal through older adulthood
2.3 Identify key features of social development from prenatal through older adulthood

Learning:
~ Classical conditioning 
1.1 Describe the processes of classical conditioning
1.2 Describe clinical and experimental examples of classical conditioning
~ Operant conditioning 
2.1 Describe the processes of operant conditioning
2.2 Describe clinical and experimental examples of operant conditioning
~ Observational learning, social learning theory, and mental processes in learning
3.1 Describe observational learning and social learning theory
3.2 Describe the role of mental processes in learning

Language:
` Structural features and development of language 
1.1 Describe the structure of language from the level of speech sounds to communication of meaning
1.2 Discuss the relationship between language and cognition
1.3 Explain the language acquisition process and theories
~ Language and the brain
2.1 Identify the brain structures associated with language
2.2 Explain how damage to the brain may affect language

Social:
~ Social cognition
1.1 Describe attributional explanations of behavior
1.2 Explain how experiences shape attitudes and beliefs
1.3 Explain how attitudes, biases, and beliefs affect behavior and relationships with others 
~ Social influence 
2.1 Explain how the presence of other people can affect behavior
2.2 Describe how intergroup dynamics influence behavior
2.3 Explain how persuasive methods affect behavior and beliefs
2.4 Identify factors influencing attraction and relationships
2.5 Identify factors influencing aggression and conflict
2.6 Identify factors influencing altruism and helping behaviors

Multiculturalism and Gender:
~ Psychological constructs of culture
1.1 Define culture and describe its role in individual and group characteristics
1.2 Describe the relationship between culture and conceptions of self and identity development
1.3 Explain how inequality of power and resources relate to privilege, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination
1.4 Describe psychological effects of privilege, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination based on cultural identity
~ Psychological constructs of gender and sexual orientation
2.1 Compare and contrast sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation
2.2 Describe diversity of gender identity and sexual orientation
2.3 Describe psychological effects of privilege, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation

I have a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Education (Curriculum and Instruction) and have taught year-long high school psychology classes since 2014. 

I work hard to keep up with new research and developments in psychology. I attend online workshops often and I recently attended the American Psychological Association 2022 Convention on a grant from the American Psychological Foundation. 

I'm also a Nearpod Certified Educator. 

Homework Offered
There will be recommended readings and extension activities each week. 
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
There will be four quizzes to be completed outside of class time throughout the course. A letter grade can be provided upon request prior to the start of the course. 
Grades Offered

The suggested readings can be done after each class to reinforce and build on the content. They are from the free online Psychology book from OpenStax, available here: https://openstax.org/details/books/psychology-2e 
If you would prefer a print version, it is available for purchase for about $30. We will use this book for all four parts of the Psychology in Society - High School Elective class.