A serious problem for large psychology departments is providing adequate advising for its majors. Described are unsuccessful attempts to establish effective advising at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in the past and the current system, which is regarded as the first successful advising system in the past 15 years. (RM)

A laboratory project introduced physiological psychology students to research by requiring them to identify an unknown drug given to laboratory animals. Students read material about drugs and animal drug studies, designed behavioral tests, constructed the testing apparatus, conducted the tests, and wrote progress reports. (SR)

Discusses a research training project for undergraduate psychology students in the development, administration, and evaluation of strategies to deter addictive smoking in adolescents. Students worked closely with faculty and graduate student researchers and became aware of the constraints of institutional regulations and logistical problems…

Examines the social changes influencing the educational objectives of undergraduate psychology programs. Faced with increasingly diverse student needs, program planners are pressured to choose a vocational over a liberal arts orientation. The author argues that psychology should develop a professional course alongside its present-day curriculum,…

Describes abnormal psychology course centered around films which include "King of Hearts,""A Woman Under the Influence,""David and Lisa,""In Cold Blood," and "The Boys in the Band." Each film deals with a fundamental concept such as psychopathology, neurosis, psychosis, insanity, and sexuality. (KC)

Describes a rotation method of team teaching used at the State University of New York (Plattsburgh). Instructors present information in their area of expertise to a number of classes. Concludes both students and instructors found the teaching method to be beneficial. Makes recommendations for implementing this rotational format. (KO)

Examines 539 undergraduate course catalogs to determine the percentage of institutions offering courses in physiological psychology, biological psychology, both, or neither. Finds 64.1 percent of the institutions studied offered physiological psychology, and 11.3 percent offer biological psychology. Finds catalog descriptions reveal confusion over…

Reports on a national survey of 520 psychology programs on the number of mathematics and science courses required as part of the general education requirements for an undergraduate degree. Finds that an average of one mathematics course and two science courses are required. (CFR)

Suggests that instructors teaching psychological assessment can use a demonstration to illustrate potential biases when subjectively interpreting response to projective stimuli. Outlines the classroom procedure, notes styles of learning involved, and presents a summary of student evaluations. (DSK)

Supplements Steven A.Meyers's article (Teaching Psychology, 1997) on the use of collaborative-learning groups. Provides additional suggestions on starting in-class groups, maintaining their effectiveness, and anticipating common problems. Argues that with careful attention, in-class groups can effectively complement lectures. (DSK)

Argues that including study of family relationships in adult development and aging courses is desirable because family members are key sources of support throughout adulthood. Includes suggestions for course activities, and instructor and student resources related to family gerontology. (DSK)

Presents an interview with Shelley Taylor, a professor of Psychology at the University of California in Los Angles (California). Addresses topics such as how she became interested in psychology, the importance of health psychology in the curriculum, the ideal training for students in health psychology, and her work with "positive illusions." (CMK)

We surveyed departments nationally to better understand the extent of scientific opportunities and experiences for undergraduate psychology students. Results showed intradepartmental variability, but overall students can expect 7 courses that offer research experiences in the typical psychology curriculum. Nonetheless, research is often not the…

A technique used in an undergraduate psychology class to reduce student incentives to fake data as they undertook a research project concerning marriage relationships is described. An evaluation of the technique suggested that it works. (RM)

Describes an undergraduate course which provides instruction in theory and research in cognitive psychology and in the application of learning strategies for studying. Topics covered in the course include learning from lectures, texts, and discussions; memory models and strategies; motivation; writing skills; test-taking strategies; problem…