Unit 7 of AP Psychology delves into the fascinating world of social psychology, exploring how individuals think about, influence, and relate to one another. This unit is packed with crucial concepts, and acing the test requires a solid understanding of key theories, research studies, and their applications. This guide will help you prepare effectively for your AP Psychology Unit 7 test.
Key Topics Covered in AP Psychology Unit 7
This unit typically covers the following major themes:
1. Social Cognition: How We Think About Others
- Attribution Theory: Understanding how we explain the causes of behavior (internal vs. external attributions, fundamental attribution error, actor-observer bias). Practice identifying different attribution styles in scenarios.
- Attitudes: Exploring the ABCs of attitudes (affect, behavior, cognition), how attitudes are formed (cognitive dissonance, persuasion techniques), and how they influence behavior. Mastering the nuances of attitude change is crucial.
- Cognitive Dissonance: Learn to analyze situations where individuals experience discomfort from conflicting beliefs and behaviors, and how they resolve this dissonance.
- Stereotypes, Prejudice, and Discrimination: Understanding the subtle differences between these concepts and their impact on social interactions. Knowing classic studies like those by Jane Elliott and the Robbers Cave experiment is essential.
2. Social Influence: How We Influence Each Other
- Conformity: Explore Asch's conformity experiments and understand the factors that influence conformity (group size, unanimity, presence of an ally).
- Obedience: Analyze Milgram's obedience experiments and the factors that contribute to obedience to authority. Discuss the ethical implications of these studies.
- Group Dynamics: Understand group polarization, groupthink, social facilitation, social loafing, and deindividuation. Be ready to apply these concepts to real-world scenarios.
- Bystander Effect: Learn about the factors that contribute to the bystander effect (diffusion of responsibility, pluralistic ignorance) and how to overcome it. The case of Kitty Genovese is a key example.
3. Social Relations: How We Interact With Each Other
- Attraction: Understand the factors influencing attraction (proximity, similarity, physical attractiveness, reciprocity).
- Aggression: Explore biological, psychological, and social-cultural influences on aggression. Learn about different theories of aggression (frustration-aggression hypothesis, social learning theory).
- Altruism: Differentiate between altruism and egoism. Understand the factors influencing helping behavior (empathy, social responsibility).
- Prejudice Reduction: Explore strategies for reducing prejudice and discrimination (contact hypothesis, jigsaw classroom).
Strategies for Mastering Unit 7
- Active Recall: Don't just passively reread your notes. Actively test yourself using flashcards, practice questions, and self-testing.
- Concept Mapping: Create visual representations of the relationships between different concepts. This will help you understand the big picture and make connections.
- Practice Application: Apply the concepts to real-world scenarios. Think about examples from your own life, current events, or historical events.
- Study Groups: Collaborate with classmates to discuss concepts, share study strategies, and quiz each other.
- Review Past Exams and Practice Tests: Familiarize yourself with the format and style of questions that will appear on the exam. Many resources are available online.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing concepts: Make sure you understand the differences between related concepts like stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination; conformity and obedience; altruism and egoism.
- Memorizing without understanding: Focus on understanding the underlying principles and theories, not just memorizing definitions.
- Ignoring ethical considerations: Be aware of the ethical concerns surrounding some of the classic social psychology studies.
- Failing to apply concepts: Practice applying the concepts to different scenarios.
By following these strategies and focusing on a thorough understanding of the key concepts, you'll be well-prepared to excel on your AP Psychology Unit 7 test. Remember that consistent effort and active learning are crucial for success! Good luck!
