Describes study which confirms that undergraduate teaching assistants (TAs) in introductory psychology courses display greater knowledge of information and better performance on sample GRE exams than those students who have taken advanced courses. Also, undergraduate TAs are perceived as highly positive contributors who are more helpful and…

Describes study which examines undergraduates' sensitivity to children's behavior and the extent to which students' behavior changes as a result of a "sensitivity to children" course. Research explored whether students' Interpersonal Perceptual Style (IPS: the extent to which a person is sensitive to another's negative and positive behavior) was a…

Survey results indicate that, although psychology courses have become increasingly popular with high school students, the subject is often poorly represented. Inadequate teacher preparation and a limited focus characterize the courses. Courses will improve if more training programs for both present and future teachers are offered. (KC)

Describes a self-paced instruction design for a university introduction to psychology course and presents factors which caused the course to fail. Concludes that a significant number of undergraduate students are incompetent and do not possess study skills necessary for a self-paced course. (KC)

Results of a study which examined the performance of tutored students in a university introduction to psychology course indicate that the efforts of students in tutored groups are no better than in untutored groups. Suggests further research into the tutor's role in developing positive attitudes about and knowledge of psychology. (Author/KC)

Based on a survey of authors and editors, this article supplies information about contractual negotiations by textbook authors in psychology. Authors' and editors' responses are summarized in five sections: writing, submitting, and producing a book; advice from authors to new authors; authors' views of publishers; financial matters; and…

Notes that cooperative goal structures, which imply that a student can reach his/her goal only if other persons within the structure can meet theirs, seldom exist in university classrooms. Outlines a process for setting up such a structure and notes consequences for students and teachers. (KC)

Examines a model for identifying homogeneous subgroups within the larger heterogeneous group found in an introductory psychology course. In order to increase the number of individuals able to succeed within a class, teachers must direct their attention toward the underlying processes of task performance and the characteristic ways in which…

Outlines an interdisciplinary university course, Historical and Psychological Analyses of Genocide, which dealt with the Nazi treatment of Jews during World War II. The course examines psychological and sociohistorical principles which could result in mass murder. Concludes that such an approach promotes a thorough explanation of such an event.…

Study concludes that university students perform at higher levels when performance is contingent on extrinsic rewards, i. e., final examination grades, and that intrinsic student interests do not differ as a result of this contingency. Suggests relevant topics for future studies. (KC)

Study indicates that instructors classified as "Facilitator-Person" are effective in terms of student motivation. Concludes that the student-centered approach gives students an opportunity to express their own ideas. The effect of the teacher as model is enhanced because he/she is seen as a person rather than as an impersonal occupant of an…

Describes a university class project designed to enable students to translate environmental research into action. Students focused on a conflict between state and county government over solid waste management. Outlines steps involved in such a project and discusses student involvement and the success of the project. (KC)

Study indicates that certain personality characteristics are associated with higher instructor-student evaluations. Generally, the extraverted teacher receives higher ratings in many content areas. There was no support for the prediction that the student evalution of an instructor would be more positive if the personalities of both were similar.…

Describes a study which investigated whether students exposed to the opinions of peers regarding the instructional effectiveness of their professors would evaluate that professor's performance in accordance with these opinions. Negative opinions were found to be more effective than positive ones in producing a change in instructor ratings. (KC)

Summarizes the author's efforts in resolving short-term teaching demands with long-term publishing demands through self-control. Outlines a special method of teaching a self-control seminar which helps both teacher and student. Positive actions of daily record keeping and meeting with the seminar greatly increased the rate of professional writing.…