AP Psychology Final Exam Project

Instead of taking a traditional final exam you will be expected to

complete and present a final project. Failure to complete or present this
project will result in a zero percent. Remember that your final exam will
count as 10% of the course grade.

You will have three project options to choose from. Each project
option will allow you in, diverse ways, to demonstrate your knowledge of
Psychology. Any questions please let me know.

GRADING: This is an honors (100), pass-plus (85), pass (65), fail (0) project.
We both know what a good, thoughtful project involves and should look
like. (NO typos, grammatically error-free, well-researched and thoroughly
prepared… ALL elements of Project Requirements Addressed)

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Option #1: Soundtrack of Your Life

Music motivates us, calms us, inspires us, and at times irritates us. You might
think of it as the backdrop against which we live our lives. Songs can bring vivid
memories of people, places, and events from our own past and serve to
document our thoughts, feelings, and emotions at a given time or place.
Part I: Brainstorm
Think about your life up until now. What major events have changed you, shaped
your, influenced you, shook you? Create a list of events that made a difference in
your life. Now brainstorm songs that might fit these events and future events you

will experience in adulthood.

(Remember to use school-appropriate songs—for example NOT Ceelo’s original
version, but the radio-safe “Forget You”)

Part II: Relate It to Psychology

Connect your "imaginary soundtrack" of the events in your life to Erikson's
Psychosocial Stages of Development.

Part III: Produce It

Just like a music producer, try to create the sequence of your chosen songs. Put some
thought into the order of your songs and the complete package you are presenting.
Project work: Find the lyrics. Make your playlist. Create the CD cover.
Part IV: Reflect
Now that you have created the soundtrack to your life, write a reflective essay that
explains why you chose the particular songs that you did. The essay should be at least 3-
5 pages.
Final Project Presentation: Prepare for your short presentation. Determine what part of
your soundtrack you will share (no more than 4-5 minutes). Be prepared to explain why it
is meaningful. ** As we listen to the soundtracks, please remember that this is a personal
assignment in which students are really putting themselves into their final project. Let’s
be kind! **

Reminder: Your 8 songs must match up with Erikson's Psychosocial Stages of

Development, but you don’t have to do a song for each stage. If you choose to you can
stay between stages #1-5. If you choose to highlight the adult stages you will be
predicting your adult experiences that have yet to happen.

**You will turn in:

1) Your CD of 8 songs, flash
drive playlist, or YouTube
video playlist
2) A cool CD cover “Should be
a reflection of YOU”
3) Lyrics for your 8 songs
4) Your reflective essay
Option #2: Film Study

Everyone has a favorite movie. Have you ever thought that your favorite movie was
related to Psychology? Most likely it is! There are so many incredible films that depict
psychological issues. Sometimes these films portray the psychological issue(s) accurately
but more often than not Hollywood takes liberties and the film is filled with inaccuracies
and make-believe.

Part I: Brainstorm
Come up with a short list of films that depict psychological issues, or a concept we have
studied this year in AP Psychology. Starting Monday, May 14th, I will have a sign-up sheet
for students to indicate which film they will be profiling.
REMEMBER: Each student must pick a different movie. First come, first served!
(P.S.  Mean Girls, UP!, & Awakenings are not options)
(P.S. The film you pick must be appropriate, you know what I mean!!!)

Part II: Relate it to Psychology

After you have chosen your film and it has been approved, the real work begins. Start
investigating which psychological issue(s) Hollywood portrayed in the film. Use your
resources from this year to measure if the psychological issues are portrayed accurately
or incorrectly. This means you need to watch the film you are investigating and fact
check the information you will be presenting to the class.

Part III: Reflect

After watching the film and investigating the psychological issue or issues depicted you
are required to write a 2-4 page reflection paper. Your paper should include the
summary of the film, why you selected this movie, the psychological issue(s) spotlighted,
and the results from your investigation. The reflection paper should also have your
personal reaction to the film and whether or not you believe the film should be viewed
as a truthful psychological depiction.
Part IV: Final Project
Prepare for your presentation a 5-10 slide PowerPoint Presentation illustrating your
results to the class.
Also be prepared to show at least one short scene from the film to back up your claims

that the film is accurate or inaccurate.

**You will turn in:

1) Reflection paper
2) Printed Copy of the PowerPoint Presentation slides
On the day of your presentation please bring in a flash drive with your PowerPoint on it,
or email a copy of the presentation to me at KBolinsky@nasd.k12.pa.us

Option #3: Original Children’s Book

I love children’s books! They are so simple yet so intricate. They present information in a

way that is easy to understand, yet the message can be very complex.

Part I: Brainstorm

Begin by selecting a psychological topic you want to research. Use your countless
resources to come up with a fact sheet of information you hope to convey through your
children’s book. You should also consider your audience. Your readers should range in

age from around six to ten years old or from 1st graders to 5th graders.
Part II: Relate it to Psychology

Once you have selected the psychological topic you wish to research, plan how you are
going to share this information through a story meant to be read by children. Creativity

counts!!! Questions to Consider

-What is the topic? What are the psychological facts you want to share?
-What is the lesson you want the reader to learn?
-Who are the characters?
-Where is the story taking place?

-How are the illustrations adding to the story’s message?

Part III: Create your Book

•It must be at least 6 pages in length two sided (total of 12 pages), illustrated, and in
book format.
•You may not staple the pages together; you must use a binder or some type of hard
cover. You may place each page in a plastic sleeve if you wish.
•The book must focus on your selected topic, yet be appropriate for children.

Part IV: Reflect

After creating your original children’s book you are required to write a one-page
summary of your original book. In the summary you should indicate the intended
audience and message of the book. This one-page summary of your book should also
highlight the accurate psychological information that will be examined throughout the

story.

**You will turn in:

1) Your original children’s book (REMEMBER: You will be reading the book to the class!!!)
2) One-page reflection Answering the Questions to Consider