Background: Psychological misconceptions permeate our culture, with many people endorsing these erroneous beliefs. Objective: The purpose of this study was to replicate and extend previous findings that reported psychology knowledge and cognitive thinking style predict undergraduates' beliefs in psychological misconceptions. Method: Two hundred…

Undergraduate psychology majors (n = 277) completed a survey assessing their rationale for pursuing either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Only 52.9% correctly identified the differences in degree requirements. Of those, BA students indicated greater science anxiety and avoidance than those pursuing a BS. BS students…

Discusses increased numbers of undergraduate psychology majors and strategies to reduce them. Proposes a prediction model based on the grade point average of graduating psychology students. Concludes that student performance in introductory psychology courses may provide one predictive measure of later achievement. (CFR)

Universities sometimes offer students the choice of an online course as an alternative to the traditional classroom. We employed the theory of planned behavior (Azjen, 1991) to examine an individual's intention to enroll in an online experimental psychology class versus a traditional class. General attitudes and subjective norms significantly…

Previous research has questioned the educational value of taking introductory courses in psychology. Study 1 confirmed the usual null to negative associations between taking introductory psychology and performance in a subsequent psychology course. Study 2 showed that, after controlling for IQ, there was actually a positive association between…

Transcripts of 784 psychology alumni from 4 universities revealed that students' timing of first enrollments in a statistics or methodology course was the result of an interaction between personal preferences and differences in program requirements. Where only a single methodological course was mandatory, first enrollments were especially late in…

Presents a study of students' preferences regarding teachers. Reports that students selected psychology courses taught by instructors possessing stereotypically male, female, or androgynous characteristics. Concludes that students preferred courses taught by those with "feminine" or androgynous characteristics over those possessing…

Reports on a survey of 275 psychology departments on requirements for psychology majors, chairperson's opinions about psychology minors, and minor areas recommended for psychology majors. Finds strong support for minors in the psychology program to provide a more well-rounded education. (CFR)

Reports on a study of 301 new psychology majors to test and extend a generic model for academic pathways to the undergraduate major and investigate feminization of the field. Finds that a student's contact with basic college psychology courses is a major factor leading to a decision about an undergraduate major. (CFR)

Reports that since 1985 the number of psychology faculty has remained fairly constant, but the number of bachelor's degrees awarded has risen by 59%. The number of degrees granted to women has increased by 80%. Discusses possible reasons, long-range implications, and psychology departments' reactions to this trend. (MJP)

Describes the course content and structure of a one-credit, elective senior seminar designed to inform a college psychology department about the effectiveness of their instruction. Assessment measures included a faculty-generated multiple choice test, a student-generated multiple choice test, student surveys, focus groups, and a student essay on…

Presents study results comparing psychology graduates with graduates in other areas. Includes comparisons of high school interests, grades, and achievement measures. Concludes that psychology graduates exhibited vocational interests in artistic, general cultural, scientific, and service areas. Reports that psychology majors had similar interests…

Briefly reviews the syndrome in which medical students begin to take on the symptoms of their patients. Discovers that, although studying psychological disorders decreased students' anxiety about their own mental health, it increased their concern regarding family members. These students also are more likely to seek psychological treatment. (MJP)