Reports a class exercise which requires students to recalculate the Chi-squares, t-tests, and one-way ANOVAs found in published psychological research articles. Describes students' reaction to the exercise and provides data on the 13% error rate they discovered. (Author/JDH)

A classroom exercise for teaching students how to examine aspects of their own impression-formation processes is described. The data generated can be used to stimulate discussion about the origins of implicit personality theories, person prototypes, and the accuracy of first impressions. (Author/DH)

Describes an extra credit project which required students in child psychology courses to work with preschoolers and keep a journal which integrated lecture and text material with the practical experience. Discusses requirements and evaluation procedures, concluding that students, instructors, and the community benefited from the educational…

Outlines a history of psychology course in which research design and methodology are introduced in a historical context. Describes course texts and experimental projects in which students ask research questions that are appropriate to a particular historical figure or theorist. Discusses advantages and disadvantages of teaching the course in this…

Discusses various ways that writing can facilitate learning in a developmental psychology course. Argues that writing assignments are valuable because they promote active learning and provide another way to teach psychology. (Author/GEA)

Describes a small-group exercise that allows students to discuss affective and cognitive aspects of puberty. After reading textbook chapter on puberty, students wrote a group letter to a male or female child explaining changes child would encounter during puberty. Procedure increased student knowledge about puberty and made them feel more…

Describes a demonstration of social desirability response bias in survey research which is suitable for moderate- to large-sized classes. The method used to reduce the students' response bias involves manipulating the instructions on a questionnaire concerning dental hygiene behavior. (JDH)

This article describes an exercise which helps students understand the limitations of empirical data and theory for answering practical questions. The exercise takes between two and three hours to complete and highlights the importance of values in determining "correct" answers to practical questions. (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)

Reports how 10 college students in a psychology of personality course increased their awareness of their own implicit theories of personality by completing an 18-item questionnaire dealing with various issues of personality. Instructor-supplied responses representing the perspectives of Freud, Skinner, Rogers, and Glasser were used to foster…

Presents an in-class activity which uses videotaped television shows to teach time sampling, event sampling, and trait rating techniques. Students responded favorably to this activity, and many reported that it increased their understanding of the different observation techniques. (Author/JDH)

Reveals the need for departments to offer course instruction in behavioral self-change. Describes a self-change course which offers students an opportunity to apply proven psychological principles to their own lives and thus meets the need for personal relevance of education. Provides suggestions for implementation of a self-change course.…

Presents a model for conducting a teaching activities exchange at regional psychology conventions. Describes procedures to follow, characterizes the potential audience, and lists the benefits derived from such sessions. (JDH)

A classroom game, based on a trivia-type game format, to help students prepare for the cumulative final exam in a physiological psychology course is presented. Details of game construction and play are described. (Author)