This study tested the impact of the skills-building component of a two-semester risk and resilience (R&R) course on the stress, coping skills, and cognitive style of 36 undergraduates compared to 62 students enrolled in a child and adolescent psychopathology course. In the fall, students learned about risk taking and decision-making as well as…

Students in research methods courses, especially those taught in an intense format, might be hard pressed to actually conduct research studies due to logistics and time constraints. I describe the use of single-case research design and a personalized behavior project as an alternative research project for students in an undergraduate psychology…

This study evaluated how effective an online academic integrity module was at reducing the occurrence of plagiarism in a written assignment for a university course. In a preintervention comparison group, plagiarism was detected in 25.8% of papers submitted, compared with only 6.5% in the group that completed the academic integrity module. The…

To understand undergraduate perceptions of academic dishonesty and honor codes, our participants estimated the likelihood that they, their friends, and the average college student would plagiarize or cheat on tests. Undergraduates reported that the average college student was most likely to cheat, their friends would be less likely to cheat, and…

Carol Pilgrim received her PhD from the University of Florida in 1987 with a specialization in the experimental analysis of behavior. She is currently Professor of Psychology and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. She has been honored with a Distinguished Teaching Professorship, the…

We examined whether using virtual reality (VR) technology to provide students with direct exposure to evidence-based psychological treatment approaches would enhance their understanding of and appreciation for such treatments. Students enrolled in an abnormal psychology course participated in a VR session designed to help clients overcome the fear…

Describes a simulation game reinforcing students' understanding of the four elements of behavior modification: measurement, intervention, evaluation, and maintenance. (CK)

Evaluation results provided strong evidence for the efficacy of university-level self-modification courses. Students demonstrated improvement in their target behaviors and reported significant positive changes in dysfunctional attitudes, fear of negative evaluation, and general self-control skills. (RM)

Presents a study investigating whether behavior modification techniques applied by the instructor could reduce fudging of results in final reports of student self-modification projects. In the experimental group, 40 students in college-level introductory applied behavior analysis classes were required to submit weekly graphs, charting behavior…

Describes an experiment to determine if college students could be stimulated to undertake additional self-modification projects after completing similar projects in personal adjustment courses. Student responses to questionnaires indicated that experimental group students, who were required to submit plans for additional projects, were more likely…

Describes the method and procedures used and results of research into 72 students' participation in a psychology course emphasizing self-modification. Findings showed that students were able to produce significant changes as a result of course participation and application of self-control procedures. (CK)

This study looks at the effects of two types of inservice training--live and videotape instruction--on the subsequent acquisition of knowledge and counseling skills of correctional staff assigned to work with imprisoned adult offenders. (Author/RM)

This report describes the introductory psychology demonstration showing conditioned taste aversion in rats based on those animals' inability to distinguish between safe NaCl and toxic LiCl solutions. Test results showed the established phenomena of classical conditioning. Included is a discussion of the experiments relevance to behaviorist…

Urges community psychologists to act as behavioral ecological matchmakers--a role entailing identifying individuals or groups desiring behavioral change and linking the target participants with networks of settings analyzed previously as facilitating the specified changes. (Author/DB)

Reports research results concerning beliefs about B. F. Skinner's psychological theories. Examines beliefs in the myths that Skinner: (1) discounted physiological and genetic roles in behavior; (2) believed that any behavior could be conditioned; (3) discounted individual uniqueness; (4) viewed punishment as the preferred form of behavior control;…