cueprepAP Psychology Unit 5: Cognitive Psychology — Complete Review
Unit 5 is the largest unit on the AP Psychology exam, covering memory, thinking, language, and intelligence. Memory is the centerpiece — you'll learn the multi-store model (sensory memory → short-term/working memory → long-term memory), encoding strategies, retrieval processes, and the many ways memory fails us.
For memory encoding, you'll study levels of processing (shallow vs. deep), elaborative rehearsal, mnemonic devices, and the spacing effect. Retrieval topics include recall vs. recognition, the serial position effect (primacy and recency), context-dependent and state-dependent memory, and priming. Forgetting covers interference theory (proactive vs. retroactive), decay, encoding failure, and the misinformation effect (Loftus).
The thinking and language portion covers problem-solving strategies (algorithms vs. heuristics), decision-making biases (confirmation bias, availability heuristic, representativeness heuristic, framing effect, anchoring), and the relationship between language and thought (Whorfian hypothesis). Intelligence theory spans Spearman's g, Gardner's multiple intelligences, Sternberg's triarchic theory, and emotional intelligence, plus the essentials of IQ testing (reliability, validity, standardization, and the normal curve).
Key Concepts
Multi-Store Memory Model
Atkinson-Shiffrin model with three stages: sensory memory (brief sensory buffer), short-term/working memory (limited capacity, ~7 items), and long-term memory (unlimited capacity).
Encoding Strategies
Deep processing, elaborative rehearsal, chunking, mnemonic devices, and the spacing effect all improve transfer from short-term to long-term memory.
Retrieval Cues
Recall (free retrieval) is harder than recognition (identifying among options). Context-dependent and state-dependent memory show that matching encoding and retrieval conditions improves recall.
Interference Theory
Proactive interference: old memories disrupt new learning. Retroactive interference: new learning disrupts retrieval of old memories.
Misinformation Effect
Elizabeth Loftus demonstrated that misleading post-event information can distort and alter eyewitness memories.
Heuristics and Biases
Mental shortcuts that often lead to errors: availability heuristic (judging by ease of recall), representativeness heuristic (judging by similarity to prototype), anchoring, and confirmation bias.
Intelligence Theories
Spearman's g (general intelligence), Gardner's multiple intelligences, Sternberg's triarchic theory (analytical, creative, practical), and emotional intelligence (Salovey & Mayer).
Language and Thought
The linguistic relativity hypothesis (Whorf) suggests language shapes thought. Chomsky proposed an innate language acquisition device (LAD).
Key Terms & Vocabulary
55 terms you need to know for Unit 5. Use our flashcards to memorize them with spaced repetition.
Study Unit 5 with Flashcards
Master Cognitive Psychology using spaced repetition — the science-backed method that puts concepts in long-term memory with less study time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AP Psychology Unit 5 about?
Unit 5 covers cognitive psychology — the study of mental processes including memory (encoding, storage, retrieval, forgetting), thinking and problem-solving, decision-making biases, language development, and intelligence theories and testing.
How much of the AP Psychology exam is Unit 5?
Unit 5: Cognitive Psychology is the largest unit, accounting for approximately 13–17% of the AP Psychology exam.
What memory models do I need to know for AP Psychology?
The primary model is the Atkinson-Shiffrin multi-store model (sensory → short-term → long-term memory). You should also know working memory, the distinction between explicit (declarative) and implicit (procedural) memory, and the difference between semantic and episodic memory.
What are the most important cognitive biases for the AP Psychology exam?
Key biases include confirmation bias (seeking confirming evidence), availability heuristic (judging probability by ease of recall), representativeness heuristic (judging by similarity to a prototype), framing effect (decisions influenced by how options are presented), and anchoring (relying too heavily on initial information).