Introduction: In an increasingly diverse world, there has been a call for psychology educators to make efforts to integrate diversity into the psychology curriculum. Statement of the Problem: Researchers who have surveyed psychology faculty have found the amount of time devoted to diversity content in nondiversity-focused courses is limited, with…

Background: Learner-centered syllabi influence students' perceptions of their instructors; however, studies have not investigated the gender identity of the instructor. Objective: We sought to investigate whether the gender of the instructor and the syllabus design affected students' perceptions of the instructor, course, and memory of the…

Undergraduate psychology majors are encouraged to engage in research to improve understanding of research methods and increase research skills. This study examines the potential of volunteering as a research participant to increase student perceptions of knowledge and interest in research. Undergraduate students completed a survey regarding the…

We conducted an online national survey to examine how undergraduate health psychology is taught, offer information about course design and content, and provide a needs analysis. Health psychology instructors (N = 126) answered questions about course format, teaching tools, importance of covering specific topics, and needed resources. A principal…

Coursework in statistics and research methods is a core requirement in most undergraduate psychology programs. However, is there an optimal way to structure and sequence methodology courses to facilitate student learning? For example, should statistics be required before research methods, should research methods be required before statistics, or…

Describes the three phase plan a psychology department used to revise its curriculum. The plan involved: (1) collecting data on educational expectations of faculty, students, and peer institutions; (3) developing a structural model of the major; and (3) re-designing courses to fit the new program. (GEA)

Describes a course that bridged the disciplines of clinical and experimental psychology and the law. The course included discussion of issues such as the reliability of confessions, victimization, and child custody. Course objectives, requirements, and teaching aids are outlined, and thoughts on integrating these diverse topics are included.…

In a student initiated experimental program, undergraduate students assumed full responsibility for planning, staffing, and running introductory psychology laboratories. They supervised six sessions demonstrating psychological principles. The results of post-session quizzes and questionnaires showed that students absorbed course material, enjoyed…

Discusses hardware and software requirements and the physical layout of a computerized general psychology laboratory which provides students with direct experience in contemporary psychological research. Lists topics and assignments for the class as well as software used. Concludes that students overwhelmingly rate the class as helpful in learning…

Reports on the use of PlayDoh clay in a college neuroanatomy class. Describes how students constructed a PlayDoh model of a sheep's brain subsequent to performing a standard dissection procedure. Maintains that students learned from the procedure and recommended the use of the technique in future classes. (CFR)

Analyzes a set of undergraduate syllabi for a survey of the history of psychology. Identifies several trends: most instructors rely heavily on textbooks for course organization, three texts accounted for more than 60% of book choices, and newer areas of historical interest did not appear to any substantial degree. (DSK)

Discusses a survey of psychology departments in 43 small liberal arts colleges in the United States. Information was obtained about demographic patterns of students and faculty, administrative support for faculty research, library budgets, expenditures for new equipment, components of a core psychology curriculum, and student interests and career…

Describes 12 critical-thinking books that instructors could use as supplements in psychology courses. Observes that, although the breadth and depth of most of these books limit their use in a one-term introductory course, they fit comfortably into two-term courses. Suggests alternative ways to incorporate supplementary books into the psychology…

An exploratory study addressed two problems: (1) Can basic concepts or clusters of issues and problems be identified in the field of psychology as it is currently taught to undergraduates? (2) What influences a teacher's selection and coverage of specific items? (Author/AV)

Describes a college-level course that highlights women's contributions to and impact on psychology. Recommends the use of biographical information and the implications of women's growing presence in psychology. Provides suggestions for modifying traditional psychology courses using this approach. (CFR)