Background: The course on cognitive assessment is mandatory for all school psychology programs. However, there have been no published studies that have explored learning objectives for this course. Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine content covered and complexity of learning objectives in the cognitive assessment course. Method:…

We conducted a national survey of psychology department chairs, and, based on their responses, we concluded that psychology programs differ in the number of students enrolled in various types of classes; the degree of focus on each of the goals recommended by the "American Psychological Association (APA) Guidelines for an Undergraduate…

Thomas E. Ludwig is the John Dirk Werkman Professor of Psychology at Hope College, where he joined the faculty in 1977 after receiving his PhD in development and aging from Washington University in St. Louis. His research focuses on developmental issues in cognitive neuropsychology. He is also the author or coauthor of more than a dozen sets of…

A major function of instruction in psychology is to convey complex phenomena in a manner accessible to students. Instructors using well-designed teaching activities can help to make complex material accessible. We content analyzed teaching activities reported in the first 33 years of "Teaching of Psychology." We identified 15 general teaching…

Low-level content and cheating are two problems that are serious threats to the personalized system of instruction (PSI). The use of behavioral objectives can reduce book-boundness and consequently raise the level of course content. To prevent cheating in PSI courses, rigorous checks on proctor grading must be built into courses. (RM)

This study investigates the management and the effectiveness of a personalized system of instruction (PSI) in higher education. The study examined the number of behavioral objectives completed during a lab period as a function of the grade achieved in the course. The study also compared course ratings from students who are receiving instruction in…

Describes study to determine the success of university students' behavioral self-control projects. Results indicate that the teaching of self-control principles is easily integrated into personal adjustment classes and can have lasting effects on students' coping skills. (KC)

Identifies hindsight bias as the tendency to exaggerate one's ability to have foreseen the outcome of an event after learning the outcome. Describes a class project where students predicted the verdict of the O. J. Simpson trial one week before the verdict and hypothesized a jury response a month later. (MJP)

Reports study results of introductory psychology students preparing for a quiz using programed instruction, reading a text, or reading an unrelated text. Lists principles of learning, including clear learning objectives, small steps, logical sequence, active responding, and drill and practice. Concludes that programed instruction is highly…