Assesses the relationship between high school psychology and natural science classes and subsequent performance in a college introductory psychology course. Both high school courses were related to precourse psychology knowledge. Findings indicate students with strong backgrounds in high school natural sciences obtained higher final grades than…

Describes and evaluates a method for involving large numbers of introductory psychology students as active researchers via an assigned project involving computer analyzed data. Results indicate students valued research more, understood statistical procedures better, and felt less anxious about statistics and computers. Suggests a viable way to…

Examines the prevalence and role of mentors in psychology graduate training from the viewpoint of 90 students, over 50 percent of whom had mentors. Findings suggest mentors serve supportive functions and promote professional productivity. Personality characteristics distinguish good from poor mentors much more frequently than do intellectual…

Students in two introductory psychology classes using a personalized system of instruction were assigned to either daily quizzing or self-initiated quizzing treatment conditions. Results showed students in the daily quizzing section completed course work more rapidly and earned higher grades by reducing procrastination. (Author/JDH)

Reports the results of two experiments which evaluated the effectiveness of the cloze test as a method for detecting plagiarism. In both studies, the cloze performance of students was significantly better in nonplagiarizing than plagiarizing situations. Concludes that when used with caution, the cloze procedure appears to be potentially helpful in…

Argues that instructors of courses in psychology of gender roles need to address the life-stage concerns of participants in their classes. Identifies seven unifying themes for such a course and provides examples of useful topics, films, and books with a developmental emphasis. (Author/JDH)

Presents a classroom activity which shows gender differences in the acceptance of sports aggression. Includes the six scenarios as well as a number of discussion issues. (Author/JDH)

Tells how undergraduate student volunteers tested children, ages 3 to 10 years old, to reveal their development in language, conservation of volume and weight, and moral judgment. These videotaped sessions were then used in class to illustrate important concepts. (JDH)

Provides a classroom demonstration designed to test an astrological hypothesis and help teach introductory psychology students about research design and data interpretation. Illustrates differences between science and nonscience, the role of theory in developing and testing hypotheses, making comparisons among groups, probability and statistical…

Describes a method of teaching verbal helping skills to students who do not have access to a clinical population. Open-ended interviews with "real" people are used as the primary training devise; role-playing simulations and programed instruction complement this experience. (Author/JDH)

Briefly reviews the gerontological literature on attitudes toward the elderly. Criticizing word association measurement techniques, this article identifies alternative methods for assessing attitudes toward the elderly and considers the pedagogical effects of these methods. (JDH)

Classroom use of the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) was investigated by sending questionnaires to three groups: early (before 1975) users of PSI, recent (after 1975) users, and current chairpersons of psychology departments. Data from all three sources suggest that fewer PSI courses are being taught and that many depart substantially…

Describes a means to achieve the basic goals of a psychology of women course through stimulating reading and examining book authors' feminist positions. Maintains this approach provides students with an intellectual, rather than emotional, examination of value-laden materials. Provides book titles and statistical data documenting effectiveness.…

The efficacy of using comprehensive database search strategies in performing an online literature retrieval in psychopathology is investigated. The results indicated that databases other than PsycINFO provided relevant citations. Concludes that literature retrieval involving psychological topics should include multiple comprehensive database…

Describes the use of Think Tank, a microcomputer program designed for creating and modifying outlines. Presents some specific uses of the outline processor for course materials, including lecture notes, handouts, and course syllabi. (JDH)