An advanced undergraduate seminar in adolescent psychopathology is described. Course content, course materials, and special problems to be considered by the instructor are discussed. (RM)

A review of psychology teaching in American high schools during the past decade shows that while there were many problems--e.g., polarized opinion about goals and related curriculum content and teaching methods, inadequate teacher education, and an ambivalent interface with professional psychology--there was also movement toward their partial…

Focuses on the use of small, independent project lab groups in two different courses: (1) Introduction Methodology; and (2) Psychometrics. States that this type of group enables students to receive feedback from their peers, while also allowing them to explore an area of individual interest. (CMK)

Explains that concept maps can be utilized as a method of alternative assessment in psychology courses. Evaluates the usefulness of concept maps by examining student concept maps at the beginning and end of the semester. States that concept maps are useful in assessing student knowledge. (CMK)

Examines the use of an incentive program for motivating students. Offers examination bonus points to students as an incentive to finish their required participation in department-wide research. Finds that the incentive program benefited teachers, students, and researchers. (CMK)

Describes a graduate student course that includes a service learning component conducted in six experiments with groups of old (72-96 year old) and young (20-30 year old) adults. Discusses the service learning component, the course, the research involved, and the course assessment. (CMK)

Describes the benefits and drawbacks of teaching a course outside one's area of expertise. Claims this enhances faculty development and alleviates burnout. Finds the positive aspects, personal and institutional, outweigh the negative. Results show favorable student evaluations. (Author/NL)

Explores the relationship between high school psychology and natural science classes and student performance in introductory college psychology classes. Finds that at the secondary level a strong background in natural science rather than in psychology is associated with higher grades in college psychology courses. Attributes this finding to the…

Describes a class demonstration of observer bias in which students were led to believe what the research data would indicate. Reports that students reported trends consistent with the expectancy. Asserts that the demonstration had a strong and memorable effect on students and has value for demonstrating observer bias. (CFR)

Details a course for teaching ethics to undergraduates. Argues that participation in service-learning experiences teaches students about moral philosophy and ethical principles for psychologists, and helps them become more sensitive to complex ethical dilemmas involved in psychology and related fields. Reports that students' course evaluations are…

Investigates student's opinions of what they believe is valuable for the first class meeting of a course. Reports that a good first class meeting includes a well-organized, focused presentation containing basic course information including requirements, expectations, and information on examinations and assignments. Expounds that faculty should…

Describes a course entitled "Preparing for Graduate Study in Psychology" that is a two-credit seminar developed to prepare undergraduate students for graduate study in psychology. Requires students to actually create application materials. Contends that the course provides students with a structured approach to learning about the graduate…

Provides information on how intelligence testing courses are currently taught in a sample of American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited clinical and school psychology programs from across the United States and Canada. Discusses limitations of the study and teaching strategies to improve students' test administration skills. (CMK)

Describes a role-playing exercise in which students take on one of three roles, either the prejudiced speaker, responder, or social observer, in order to explore a prejudiced comment in a mock interaction. Considers different topics for the postexercise class discussion and student reactions to the exercise. (CMK)

Provides an in-class activity that enables students in research methods to learn about survey design and multiple regression. Explains that the students developed questionnaires in order to generate five items, as set in a multiple regression equation, that would best predict a particular outcome. Discusses benefits and drawbacks. (CMK)