Maureen A. McCarthy - Böcker

Introductory and capstone experiences in the undergraduate psychology program are crucial ways to engage students in their major and psychology department, impart realistic expectations, and prepare them for life beyond college. Providing the right orientation and capstone courses in psychology education is increasingly a concern of instructors, department chairs, program directors, and deans, and both types of courses have become important sources for gathering pre- and post-coursework assessment data for degree learning outcomes. The strategies presented here have been designed to help educators examine issues around teaching the introductory or careers course and developing a psychology-specific orientation program. The authors also provide concrete suggestions for building capstone experiences designed to fit the needs of a department, its pedagogical philosophy, or the educational agenda of the college or university. Undergraduate psychology curriculum designers and instructors can benefit from learning innovative and effective strategies for introducing the major to first-year students and, at graduation, for bringing closure, reinforcing the overall departmental learning outcomes, and helping students apply their disciplinary knowledge in capstone experiences and post-graduate life.In this collection of articles, psychology instructors involved in the improvement of teaching and learning review the research and share their own successes and challenges in the classroom. Discussions include effective practices for helping students become acclimated to and engaged in the psychology major, application of developmental knowledge and learning communities to course design, and use of quality benchmarks to improve introductory and capstone courses. Other chapters describe innovations in the design of stand-alone courses and offer concrete advice on counseling psychology graduates about how to use what they have learned beyond their higher education experiences.

Using Quality Benchmarks for Assessing and Developing Undergraduate Programs Using Quality Benchmarks for Assessing and Developing Undergraduate Programs introduces selected performance criteria—benchmarks—to assist undergraduate programs in defining their educational goals and documenting their effectiveness. The book explores the attributes of undergraduate programs by focusing on educationally related activities in eight domains: program climate; assessment, accountability, and accreditation issues; student learning outcomes; student development; curriculum; faculty characteristics; program resources; and administrative support. Further, it conceptualizes a continuum of performance for each attribute in each of the domains to characterize underdeveloped, developing, effective, and distinguished achievement for undergraduate programs. The goal of the book is to encourage individual departments at various types of institutions to evaluate what they currently do well while identifying areas for refinement or future growth. When benchmarks reveal that a program is underdeveloped, faculty and administrators can plan for how they can best direct subsequent efforts and resources to improve a program's performance and ability to serve students. Emphasizing formative assessment over summative or punitive evaluation, the benchmarks in this book are designed to improve program quality, encourage more effective program reviews, and help optimally functioning programs compete more successfully for resources. Using performance benchmarks to identify areas of program strength can, in turn, be used to recruit and retain students, seek funding via grants or alumni support, and enhance the perceived rating of an institution.

Everyday Applications of Psychological Science explores several core areas of psychology, showing readers how to apply these principles to everyday situations in order to better their understanding of human behavior and improve their quality of life.The authors of this book, who are award-winning educators of psychology, have culled and collated the best practical research-based advice that psychological science can offer in an easy-to-read and digestible format. Lively and peppered with anecdotes, this book explores topical areas normally found in introductory psychology books but do so in a way that makes psychological science practical, accessible, and relevant to our readers. In Everyday Applications of Psychological Science, the best science that psychology has to offer is translated into life hacks that are applicable to improving readers’ physical health, mental health, psychological wealth, relationships, and happiness. Everyday Applications of Psychological Science is vital reading for those interested in learning more about the field of psychology more generally and how aspects of it can be applied to daily life. Our approach may be of particular interest to current and prospective undergraduate students of psychology and those interested in learning more about mental health issues.

Everyday Applications of Psychological Science explores several core areas of psychology, showing readers how to apply these principles to everyday situations in order to better their understanding of human behavior and improve their quality of life.The authors of this book, who are award-winning educators of psychology, have culled and collated the best practical research-based advice that psychological science can offer in an easy-to-read and digestible format. Lively and peppered with anecdotes, this book explores topical areas normally found in introductory psychology books but do so in a way that makes psychological science practical, accessible, and relevant to our readers. In Everyday Applications of Psychological Science, the best science that psychology has to offer is translated into life hacks that are applicable to improving readers’ physical health, mental health, psychological wealth, relationships, and happiness. Everyday Applications of Psychological Science is vital reading for those interested in learning more about the field of psychology more generally and how aspects of it can be applied to daily life. Our approach may be of particular interest to current and prospective undergraduate students of psychology and those interested in learning more about mental health issues.

Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology provides a seamless introduction to the subject, identifying various research areas and analyzing how one can approach them statistically. The text provides a solid empirical foundation for undergraduate psychology majors, and it prepares the reader to think critically and evaluate psychological research and claims they might hear in the news or popular press. This second edition features updated examples of research and new illustrations of important principles. It also includes updated coverage of ethical issues in research and of current diversity issues.