AP Psychology Cram Sheet: High-Yield Facts at a Glance
The 7 Major Psychological Perspectives Defined
To master the AP Psychology last minute review, candidates must be able to categorize any given behavior through seven distinct lenses. The Biological perspective focuses on physical bases of behavior, such as brain chemistry and genetics. In contrast, the Behavioral perspective (led by figures like Watson and Skinner) ignores the mind entirely, focusing strictly on observable stimuli and responses. The Cognitive perspective deals with the internal mental processes of memory, thinking, and language—essentially the "software" of the mind. The Humanistic perspective emphasizes individual potential and self-actualization, while the Psychodynamic perspective (rooted in Freudian theory) looks at unconscious conflicts and early childhood experiences. Finally, the Evolutionary perspective examines behavior in terms of its adaptive value for survival, and the Socio-cultural perspective looks at how the surrounding environment and cultural norms dictate individual actions. On the exam, you will often be asked to explain a single scenario, such as aggression, through two different lenses; for example, a biological explanation might cite high testosterone, while a behavioral explanation would point to a history of reinforced aggressive acts.
Must-Know Brain Structures and Their Functions
A comprehensive AP Psych brain diagram review is incomplete without a firm grasp of the limbic system and the cerebral cortex. The Hippocampus is the primary center for encoding new explicit memories, while the Amygdala governs emotional responses, particularly fear and aggression. The Hypothalamus acts as the body's thermostat, maintaining homeostasis by regulating hunger, thirst, and the endocrine system via the pituitary gland. Within the cerebral cortex, the Prefrontal Cortex is the seat of executive function, responsible for planning, judgment, and impulse control. Damage to this area, famously seen in the case of Phineas Gage, results in drastic personality shifts. The Thalamus serves as the sensory relay station, directing all incoming sensory information (except smell) to the appropriate cortical regions. Understanding these localized functions is essential for answering questions about brain lesions or neuroimaging results like fMRI or PET scans, which track metabolic activity during specific cognitive tasks.
Landmark Studies and Their Takeaways (e.g., Milgram, Zimbardo)
Social psychology frequently tests the ethical boundaries and results of classic experiments. Stanley Milgram’s Obedience Study demonstrated that 65% of participants would administer a lethal 450-volt shock to a learner simply because an authority figure told them to do so, highlighting the power of the situation over individual conscience. Philip Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment further illustrated this through deindividuation and role-playing, where participants quickly internalized the brutal behaviors associated with their assigned roles as guards or prisoners. In the realm of conformity, Solomon Asch’s Line Study showed that individuals often provide clearly incorrect answers to align with a unanimous group. For the exam, remember the Ethical Guidelines established by the APA: informed consent, protection from harm, confidentiality, and mandatory debriefing. Many questions will ask you to identify which ethical principle was violated in these historical (and often controversial) studies.
Key Theories and Stages: Quick Reference
Piaget's Cognitive and Erikson's Psychosocial Stages
Developmental psychology is a cornerstone of any psychology theories cheat sheet. Jean Piaget proposed four stages of cognitive development: Sensorimotor (0–2 years, focusing on object permanence), Preoperational (2–7 years, characterized by egocentrism and lack of conservation), Concrete Operational (7–11 years, where logical thought about physical objects begins), and Formal Operational (12+ years, involving abstract reasoning). Conversely, Erik Erikson focused on the entire lifespan through eight psychosocial stages, each defined by a crisis. Key stages for the exam include Trust vs. Mistrust (infancy), Identity vs. Role Confusion (adolescence), and Integrity vs. Despair (late adulthood). Scoring well requires distinguishing between these; Piaget is about how you think, while Erikson is about who you are in relation to society. If a question mentions a child failing to understand that volume remains constant despite a change in container shape, they are in the Preoperational stage failing the law of conservation.
Freud's Psychosexual Stages and Defense Mechanisms
While modern psychology has moved away from many of Sigmund Freud’s specific claims, his framework remains a fixture of the AP curriculum. His psychosexual stages—Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, and Genital—focus on the shifting of the libido through different erogenous zones. More importantly for the FRQ, you must know Defense Mechanisms, which the ego uses to reduce anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality. Common examples include Repression (pushing thoughts into the unconscious), Projection (attributing one's own impulses to others), Reaction Formation (switching unacceptable impulses into their opposites), and Sublimation (rechanneling impulses into socially approved activities). If an exam prompt describes an aggressive person who becomes a professional boxer, you should identify this as sublimation—a productive outlet for a destructive drive.
Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
Lawrence Kohlberg expanded on developmental theory by focusing on moral reasoning. He categorized morality into three levels: Preconventional (morality based on rewards and punishments), Conventional (morality based on upholding social order and gaining approval), and Postconventional (morality based on self-defined ethical principles and universal justice). The famous Heinz Dilemma—whether a man should steal a drug to save his wife—is used to assess these levels. It is crucial to note that Kohlberg’s theory is about the reasoning behind the choice, not the choice itself. A student might say stealing is wrong because it breaks the law (Conventional) or because it violates a person's right to property (Postconventional). Critics like Carol Gilligan argued that Kohlberg’s model was biased toward a male perspective of justice, whereas women might prioritize a "care orientation."
Vocabulary Crash Course: Top 50 Tested Terms
Social Psychology Terms (Bystander Effect, Cognitive Dissonance)
Social psychology questions often center on how the presence of others alters individual behavior. The Bystander Effect occurs when the presence of multiple onlookers inhibits any single person from helping, largely due to diffusion of responsibility. Another high-yield term is Cognitive Dissonance, Leon Festinger’s theory that we act to reduce the discomfort we feel when two of our thoughts (or a thought and a behavior) are inconsistent. For example, if you smoke but know it causes cancer, you might justify it by saying "I only smoke occasionally." Other vital terms include the Fundamental Attribution Error, where we overemphasize personality traits and underestimate situational factors when judging others' behavior, and Group Polarization, where group discussion leads to a more extreme version of the prevailing opinion. Understanding these terms is essential for the AP Psychology must-know terms portion of your final review.
Clinical Psychology Terms (DSM-5, Anxiety vs. Mood Disorders)
In the clinical domain, the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) is the definitive tool used by clinicians to diagnose disorders; notably, it does not explain causes or suggest treatments, only symptoms. You must distinguish between Anxiety Disorders (e.g., GAD, Panic Disorder, Phobias) characterized by distressing, persistent nervousness, and Depressive Disorders (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder) characterized by emotional extremes. Bipolar Disorder involves alternating between depression and mania (hyperactive, wildly optimistic states). Also, be prepared for questions on Schizophrenia, specifically distinguishing between positive symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) and negative symptoms (flat affect, withdrawal). Note that "positive" in this context means the presence of inappropriate behaviors, while "negative" means the absence of appropriate ones.
Learning & Cognition Terms (Schema, Heuristics, Conditioning)
Learning theory is dominated by the distinction between Classical Conditioning (associating two stimuli) and Operant Conditioning (associating a behavior with a consequence). In Classical Conditioning, remember the formula: the Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS) naturally triggers a response, while a Conditioned Stimulus (CS) only does so after pairing. In Cognition, a Schema is a mental framework that organizes information. When we encounter new info, we either use Assimilation (fitting it into existing schemas) or Accommodation (changing schemas to fit new info). For problem-solving, the exam frequently tests Heuristics—mental shortcuts that are fast but error-prone—contrasted with Algorithms, which are step-by-step procedures that guarantee a solution but take longer. The Availability Heuristic leads us to estimate the likelihood of events based on how easily they come to mind (e.g., fearing a plane crash because of recent news coverage).
Biological Bases of Behavior: Diagrams and Terms
Neuron Structure and Neurotransmitter Functions
The neuron is the fundamental building block of the nervous system. An AP Psych quick review of neural transmission must follow the signal path: from the Dendrites (which receive messages), through the Soma (cell body), down the Axon (which may be insulated by a Myelin Sheath to speed transmission), to the Terminal Buttons, where neurotransmitters are released into the Synapse. The firing of a neuron is an All-or-None Response; it either fires at full strength or not at all, triggered when the electrical charge reaches the threshold. Key neurotransmitters include Acetylcholine (ACh) for muscle action and memory (undersupply linked to Alzheimer’s), Dopamine for reward and movement (excess linked to Schizophrenia, undersupply to Parkinson’s), Serotonin for mood regulation, and Endorphins for pain relief. Drugs that mimic these are called Agonists, while those that block them are Antagonists.
Endocrine System Glands and Key Hormones
While the nervous system uses electrical impulses and neurotransmitters for fast communication, the Endocrine System uses hormones released into the bloodstream for slower, longer-lasting effects. The "master gland" is the Pituitary Gland, which is controlled by the hypothalamus and regulates growth as well as other endocrine glands. The Adrenal Glands sit atop the kidneys and release Epinephrine (adrenaline) and Norepinephrine, triggering the fight-or-flight response by increasing heart rate and blood sugar. The Pineal Gland secretes Melatonin, which is crucial for regulating the Circadian Rhythm (our 24-hour biological clock). On the exam, you may be asked to compare the two systems; remember that the endocrine system is like a letter sent through the mail (slow/widespread), while the nervous system is like a text message (fast/targeted).
Split-Brain Research and Hemisphere Specialization
Split-brain research, pioneered by Roger Sperry and Michael Gazzaniga, involves patients whose Corpus Callosum (the bundle of nerve fibers connecting the two hemispheres) has been severed to treat severe epilepsy. This research revealed Hemispheric Specialization. The Left Hemisphere is generally dominant for language, logic, and sequential tasks, housing Broca’s Area (speech production) and Wernicke’s Area (speech comprehension). The Right Hemisphere excels in spatial relationships, facial recognition, and emotional perception. Because of contralateral control, the left hemisphere controls the right side of the body and receives visual input from the right visual field. A classic exam question involves a split-brain patient seeing an object in their left visual field; they can draw it with their left hand (right brain) but cannot verbally name it (because the info cannot reach the left brain's language centers).
FRQ Quick-Win Strategies and Templates
How to Structure a 7-Point Free Response Answer
The AP Psychology FRQ typically consists of two questions, each worth 7 points, requiring you to apply psychological concepts to a provided scenario. To maximize your score, use the CHUGOD method: Check (read carefully), Handwriting (keep it legible), Underline (the terms you are defining), Get going (no intro/outro), Omit (don't use fluff), and Define/Apply. Each point generally requires two parts: a clear definition of the term and a specific application to the person or situation described in the prompt. You do not need a five-paragraph essay structure. Instead, treat each term as its own mini-task. Use a new paragraph for each term to make it easy for the AP Readers to find your points. If you are asked about Self-Efficacy, first define it as one’s belief in their ability to succeed at a task, then explain how the character in the prompt (e.g., "John") feels confident he can pass his driving test because he practiced.
Applying Key Terms Correctly to Earn Points
The most common mistake on the FRQ is "defining the term with the term." For instance, if the term is Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, do not say "it is when someone is obsessive and compulsive." Instead, describe it as "persistent, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) followed by repetitive behaviors (compulsions) intended to reduce anxiety." Furthermore, the application must be tied directly to the prompt's outcome. If the prompt asks how Proactive Interference might hinder a student's performance on a Spanish test, you must state that their old knowledge (e.g., French learned last year) is interfering with their ability to recall the new Spanish vocabulary. Simply defining the term without linking it to the Spanish test will result in zero points for that item. Precision in showing the direction of influence—what is affecting what—is the key to a high score.
Common FRQ Verbs (Describe, Explain, Compare) and How to Answer Them
Pay close attention to the operational verbs in the prompt. Identify merely requires you to name a concept, but this is rare. Most often, you will see Explain or Apply, which require you to show cause-and-effect. If the prompt says "Explain how the Sympathetic Nervous System helps Sarah during her presentation," you must describe the physiological change (e.g., increased heart rate) and why it helps (e.g., providing more oxygen to muscles to handle stress). If the verb is Compare, you must address both concepts and highlight a specific difference or similarity. For example, comparing Random Sampling and Random Assignment: sampling happens before the experiment to get a representative group from a population, while assignment happens during the experiment to place participants into experimental or control groups to minimize preexisting differences.
Final 24-Hour Cram Plan and Mindset
Prioritizing Your Last-Minute Review Sessions
During your AP Psychology final cram, focus on the "Big Three" units which typically comprise the largest percentage of the exam: Cognitive Psychology, Biological Bases of Behavior, and Clinical Psychology. Use your AP Psych cram sheet to perform a "blind dump": look at a heading, like "Statistical Significance," and try to write down everything you know (p-value < .05, means results are not due to chance) before checking the sheet. Spend 20 minutes on confused pairs that the College Board loves to test, such as Negative Reinforcement (removing something bad) vs. Punishment (adding something bad), or Reliability (consistency of results) vs. Validity (accuracy of the test). This active recall is far more effective than passive reading in the final hours before the test.
Avoiding Burnout: The Balance Between Review and Rest
Scientific research on the Spacing Effect and the Serial Position Effect suggests that marathon cramming sessions are inefficient. Your brain needs sleep to engage in Long-Term Potentiation (LTP), the strengthening of synaptic connections that turns short-term study into long-term memory. Aim for "burst" study sessions: 45 minutes of intense focus followed by a 10-minute break. Avoid learning entirely new, complex theories the night before; instead, reinforce the "scaffolding" of what you already know. If you find yourself rereading the same paragraph four times, your brain has reached its limit for the day. High levels of Cortisol from stress can actually impair hippocampal function, making it harder to retrieve the very facts you are trying to memorize.
Test-Day Morning: A Quick Mental Warm-Up Routine
On the morning of the exam, avoid the temptation to learn new material. Instead, do a quick mental warm-up to prime your brain for psychological thinking. Briefly review the Standard Deviation rules (68% of scores fall within one standard deviation of the mean in a normal distribution) and the basic parts of the eye and ear (e.g., the Cochlea is where transduction happens in hearing). Eat a breakfast with complex carbohydrates to provide a steady stream of glucose to your brain. Once you enter the testing center, take a deep breath to activate your Parasympathetic Nervous System, which will lower your heart rate and allow your prefrontal cortex to take over from the stress-induced amygdala. You have the tools; now it is simply a matter of execution.