Welcome to AP Psychology! Mr. Roy and I hope that your summer is going well so far.
All students enter this course with preconceived notions about the field of psychology. Not only is that fine, it is expected. Most are based on what is learned through family, friends, the media, and for some of you some first-hand experience with psychologists. So, what do you know about psychology right now? What do you think you know? What do you want to know?
There are a some specific purposes of the AP Psychology summer work. Mr. Roy and I want to introduce you to some contemporary issues in the field and give you the opportunity to reflect on these issues while comparing them to your current attitudes regarding psychology. In addition, we want you to walk into school ready to discuss your thoughts on these issues so we can hit the ground running during the first days of class.
Assignments
There are two assignments you need to complete. Historically, together they take about four to six solid, non-distracted hours to complete.
First, answer the following two prompts:
- As of right now, what do you know (or think you know) about the field of psychology?
- What do you hope to learn about in the upcoming year in AP Psychology?
After that, read the items linked below and answer the four prompts that follow. Analyze the items carefully, reflect on what the authors are communicating, and ONLY then respond to the prompts. A key to success on this assignment is to consider specific aspects in the items, reflect, think, and then write.
"The Stigma of Mental Illness is Making Us Sicker", from Psychology Today, a monthly magazine focusing on contemporary issues in the field of psychology. Posted in May 2014.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brick-brick/201405/the-stigma-mental-illness-is-making-us-sicker
"The Impact of Mental Illness Stigma on Seeking and Participating in Mental Health Care", from the Association of Psychological Science. Published in August 2014.
http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/publications/mental-illness-stigma.html
"Understanding the impact of stigma on people with mental illness", from World Psychiatry, the journal of the World Psychiatric Association. Published in February 2002.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1489832/
"Attitudes Toward Mental Illness", the 2012 report from a study jointly commissioned by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Only need to review the Executive Summary/Background/Methodology/Beginning of Executive Summary on pp.1-11 and the Data Tables on pp.92-95)
http://www.cdc.gov/hrqol/Mental_Health_Reports/pdf/BRFSS_Full%20Report.pdf
"Interpersonal contact and the stigma of mental illness: A review of the literature", from the Journal of Mental Health. Published in June 2003.
http://penn.web.unc.edu/files/2014/07/Interpersonal-contact-and-the-stigma-of-mental-illness.pdf
"Unwell and unashamed", and article from th June 1, 2016 edition of the Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/local/wp/2016/06/01/unwell-and-unashamed/
- List some stigmas that have historically been associated with mental illness. Then choose ONE and elaborate on it. Why do you think this stigma became prevalent? Is this stigma grounded in some truth or is it TOTALLY unfair? Why?
- What attitudes did YOU have about people with mental illnesses before reading these articles? Be honest -- we won't judge, we swear :)
- Pick two main points made in the reading. Do you agree or disagree with these points? Explain.
- Did you find any of the items biased? Explain.
Your responses will be evaluated based on the degree of critical/analytical/reflective thought. We expect at least a comprehensive paragraph for EACH one of the prompts, so you are going to be writing at least six comprehensive paragraphs.
On the FIRST day of class you should bring in a hard copy of these responses and hand them in. You should also be prepared to discuss the articles and your responses in class. If you have any questions about any of this, my students can email me at rick.bourdeau@reg5.k12.ct.us. If you are a student of Mr. Roy, email him at claude.roy@reg5.12.ct.us.
We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and look forward to a great year!
