Psychology

All questions and comments about this curriculum should be directed to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

Goal 1

The learner will become familiar with the history and research methods of psychology.

Objective 1.01

Discuss the contemporary perspectives used by psychologists to understand behavior and mental processes.

Objective 1.02

Identify the major subfields and career opportunities that comprise psychology.

Objective 1.03

Distinguish between the different research strategies used by psychologists to explore behavior and mental processes.

Objective 1.04

Distinguish and employ the basic concepts of statistical data.

Objective 1.05

Analyze the ethical issues in psychological research.

Objective 1.06

Discuss the development of psychology as an empirical science

Goal 2

The learner will demonstrate an understanding of the biological bases of behavior.

Objective 2.01

Identify the structure and function of the neuron.

Objective 2.02

Identify, describe, and explain the organization of the nervous system.

Objective 2.03

Describe the structure and functions of the brain.

Objective 2.04

Differentiate among the technologies and clinical methods for studying the brain.

Objective 2.05

Compare and contrast the specialized functions of the brain's hemispheres.

Objective 2.06

Describe the structure and function of the endocrine system.

Objective 2.07

Assess how heredity interacts with environment to influence behavior.

Objective 2.08

Explain how psychological mechanisms are influenced by evolution.

Goal 3

The learner will examine lifespan development.

Objective 3.01

Explain development as a lifelong process.

Objective 3.02

Analyze research techniques used to gather data on the developmental process.

Objective 3.03

Identify the stage theories of development.

Objective 3.04

Discuss issues surrounding the developmental process.

Objective 3.05

Assess the impact of technology on aspects of the lifespan.

Goal 4

The learner will explore the basic concepts of sensation and perception.

Objective 4.01

Analyze the basic concepts explaining the capabilities and limitations of sensory processes.

Objective 4.02

Examine the components of vision.

Objective 4.03

Describe the interaction of the person and the environment in determining perception.

Objective 4.04

Explain the nature of attention.

Goal 5

The learner will analyze basic concepts of motivation and emotion.

Objective 5.01

Identify theories of motivation.

Objective 5.02

Examine the biological and environmental cues instigating basic drives or motives.

Objective 5.03

Analyze the theories and physiology of emotion.

Objective 5.04

Discuss the effects of motivation and emotion on perception, cognition, and behavior.

Goal 6

The learner will examine factors associated with stress.

Objective 6.01

Identify major sources of stress.

Objective 6.02

Explore psychological and physiological reactions to stress.

Objective 6.03

Identify and explain cognitive strategies to deal with stress and promote health.

Goal 7

The learner will analyze factors influencing the cognitive domain.

Objective 7.01

Analyze the various learning processes and factors influencing classical and operant conditioning, and cognitive learning.

Objective 7.02

Explain the role of biology and culture in determining learning.

Objective 7.03

Describe the processes of encoding information into memory.

Objective 7.04

Distinguish between short-term and long-term memory systems and explain the process of retrieval.

Objective 7.05

Discuss methods for improving memory.

Goal 8

The learner will explore the process of thinking and language development.

Objective 8.01

Describe the tools used in the individual's thought process.

Objective 8.02

Identify the strategies and obstacles for problem solving and decision making.

Objective 8.03

Identify theories and developmental stages of language acquisition.

Objective 8.04

Discuss the links between thinking and language.

Goal 9

The learner will analyze the differing states of consciousness.

Objective 9.01

Classify the characteristics of sleep and theories that explain why we sleep.

Objective 9.02

Analyze theories used to explain and interpret dreams.

Objective 9.03

Assess basic phenomena and uses of hypnosis.

Objective 9.04

Categorize the different psychoactive drugs and their effects.

Goal 10

The learner will examine individual differences and personalities.

Objective 10.01

Describe concepts related to the measurement of individual differences.

Objective 10.02

Explain the influence and interaction of heredity and environment on individual differences.

Objective 10.03

Analyze the nature of intelligence and intelligence testing.

Objective 10.04

Define personality and personality constructs.

Objective 10.05

Explain personality approaches and identify important contributions to the understanding of personality.

Objective 10.06

Analyze the different tools and tests used in personality assessment .

Goal 11

The learner will examine the characteristics and treatments of psychological disorders.

Objective 11.01

Describe the characteristics and origins of abnormal behavior, and explain methods used in exploring abnormal behavior.

Objective 11.02

Discuss major categories of abnormal behavior and explore the challenges associated with accurate diagnosis.

Objective 11.03

Analyze the impact of mental disorders and efforts to promote greater understanding of abnormal behavior.

Objective 11.04

Explain methods used to treat people with disorders.

Objective 11.05

Discuss the legal and ethical challenges involved in delivery of treatment.

Goal 12

The learner will evaluate the social and cultural dimensions of behavior.

Objective 12.01

Assess how people relate to one another.

Objective 12.02

Identify the primary social and cultural categories of the United States culture.

Objective 12.03

Examine how social and cultural categories influence behavior.

Objective 12.04

Explore how group interaction affects behavior.