AP Psychology Units

Key Takeaways

• AP Psychology has 5 official units that cover everything from how your brain works to how people behave in groups.

• Each unit counts for a different part of the AP exam.

• Knowing what each unit covers helps you plan your study time and feel confident on test day.

Introduction: What Is AP Psychology?

AP Psychology is one of the most popular AP classes for high school students. It’s all about how people think, feel, and act.

You’ll explore questions like:

• Why do we remember some things and forget others?

• How does the brain control emotions?

• What shapes our personality?

If you’re interested in healthcare, teaching, or understanding people, this class is a great choice. The number of students taking the AP Psychology exam continues to grow. In 2025, over 300,000 (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab)students (opens in a new tab)took the exam.

The course is split into 5 units, starting with the basics of psychology and moving into deeper topics like memory, personality, and social behavior.

Overview of the 5 AP Psychology Units

Unit 1: Biological Bases of Behavior (15–25%)

The first unit in AP Psychology (opens in a new tab)covers behaviors and mental processes. A biological perspective is used to look at how human biology interacts with the environment. Some of the topics included in Unit 1 include:

• Inherited traits and the environment connection

• Evolution of shaping behaviors

• Structure and function of the nervous system

• Neural firing 

• Structure and function of the brain

• Sleep

• Sensation

Unit 2: Cognition (15–25%)

This is the biggest unit on the AP Psychology exam. It focuses on memory, thinking, problem-solving, and language.

• Brain: The structure and function of the brain. How information moves through your brain, why we forget things, and how to improve memory.

• Cognitive biases: How mental shortcuts affect decisions.

This unit can actually make you a better learner!

Unit 3: Development and Learning (15-25%)

This unit explains how people and animals learn new behaviors.

You’ll learn about three main types of learning:

• Classical conditioning (Pavlov’s dogs)

• Operant conditioning (Skinner’s rewards and punishments)

• Observational learning (Bandura’s “Bobo doll” experiment)

These lessons show how habits form and why we act the way we do.

Unit 4: Social Psychology and Personality (15-25%)

This unit is all about how people behave in groups.

You’ll study conformity, obedience, prejudice, and aggression, and learn how others can influence your actions.

Famous studies include:

• Milgram’s obedience experiment

• Asch’s conformity test

• Zimbardo’s prison experiment

Unit 5: Mental and Physical Health (15-25%)

This unit looks at how people grow and change from birth to old age. It also takes a look at how psychologists promote mental and physical health, as well as how they evaluate and treat a variety of psychological disorders.

You’ll learn from famous psychologists like:

• Piaget (how kids think differently at each age)

• Erikson (stages of personal growth)

• Kohlberg (how moral reasoning develops)

Unit 5 also covers topics like:

• Psychological Disorders. How they are diagnosed and treated.

• Neurodevelopment

• Disorders. Bipolar, anxiety, OCD, depression

• Trauma and Stress

• Eating Disorders

• Personality Disorders

• Modern Treatment Options

It’s like a timeline of how humans learn, mature, and handle life changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many units are in AP Psychology?

There are 5 units in the AP Psychology course. Each one focuses on a different part of psychology, and these stay the same every year.

What is the hardest unit in AP Psychology?

Many students say Unit 2 (Cognitive Psychology) and Unit 5 (Clinical Psychology) are the toughest because they’re longer and include lots of new vocabulary. But what’s “hard” can depend on what topics interest you most and your academic strengths. 

Do I need to memorize all the theorists?

You will need to know each of the theorists, the studies they conducted, and what they contributed. Memorizing the theorists and their key concepts and experiments is a good way to succeed on the AP Psychology exam.

Final Thoughts

AP Psychology’s 5 units connect together to explain how people think, feel, and behave.

To do well, focus on understanding the concepts, not just memorizing them. Use the unit structure as a study guide to track your progress.

With regular review and practice, you’ll be ready for both the coursework and the AP exam. You may even start to see everyday life through a new psychological lens!

You are not alone! If you are looking for resources and study guides to help you prepare for the AP Psychology exam, check out Save My Exams’ AP resources. There are past questions, study guides, and other useful tools to help make your journey successful.

References

College Board AP Psychology Course Outline (opens in a new tab)

College Board AP Psychology Exam Tips (opens in a new tab)

College Board AP Psychology Score Distributions (opens in a new tab)