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General Psychology PSYC 001 Dr. Larry Rudiger(and many helpers) We’ll start a few minutes late. You’ll get a syllabus at the end of class. Talk to each other!

December, 2014… ▫ Think like a psychologist (and know

more about the field than you do today) ▫ Ready to read research in its

original format ▫ Write as a learning tool ▫ Learn by interacting with your peers ▫ Perform at your best on

standardized exams

What is psychology?

The scientific study of mind and behavior. WHAT? Description WHY? Theory à Prediction

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Meet the author

And in addition: Bb1 - 4

• Psychic power: can it help solve crimes? • A brand-new article on intelligence. • Can fear motivate people to behave

sustainably? • Can stress-reduction techniques

improve immune functioning for HIV-infected persons?

How do you eat an elephant?

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Frances Bacon

Reading maketh a full person, writing an exact person, and conference a ready person.

Francis Bacon (1561-1626)

adapted from Of Studies

Processes: Evidence-based methods READ •  Intensive examination of representative research •  Important themes from the broader field •  Late-breaking findings

WRITE & Think •  Learn by doing, did I get this, self-assessments. •  Writing Assignments

(via Blackboard)

CONFERENCE •  Discussion and participation

Outcome: content & skill expertise, demonstrated in class, on assignments, & on exams

First Few Classes

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Writing Assignments & Concept Checks

What to Know ▫  Self-graded ▫  Format specified in Blackboard ▫  Submitted electronically ▫  Before-class Writing Assignments & Acrobatiq

Platform: Completed by 11:55 pm, Mondays ▫  After-class Concept Checks: completed within 1 week of class ▫  Worth .25 - 1 points: not a lot, and not 'worth it.' ▫  Make sure all required questions completed ▫  Print a copy, bring to class

• Missing Class? ▫  Submit before deadline

• Your own words to maximize learning benefits

•  $35 fee (regularly $95) • All online •  "Learn by doing" •  "Did I get this?" • Do it -> get the points!

Acrobatiq Platform

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Meet & Greet

• Who you are.

• What’s your number-one learning goal in PSYC 001? (In other words, what interests and intrigues you about behavior?)

Attendance & In-Class Participation iClicker ▫  Can use the same iClicker

for multiple courses, but can’t share one with another current PSYC 001 student ▫  Can be either type ▫  Click, in response to each

question = 100% ▫  Arrive late, leave early, or

miss a question < 100% ▫  Right or wrong – it doesn’t

matter!

Respect & Reputation •  Department of Psychological Science Policies ▫  Laptop computers and other web-enabled devices:

prohibited unless authorized by the instructor. �  Students who use laptops tend to learn less than

those who do not. �  Even appropriate laptop use causes lower levels of

learning and retention. � Disrupts attention of non-laptop users.

•  Student responsibilities ▫  Attend every class, arrive promptly and remain alert and

involved until dismissed by the instructor. �  Three-minute break around the middle of the period. ▫  Read and complete assignments, and be prepared to engage

in discussion and pose meaningful questions.

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Respect & Reputation • Faculty and student responsibilities ▫  Listen with civil attention to all individuals, and

treat all members of the learning community with respect. ▫  Turn off cell phones or other web-enabled devices

prior to the beginning of class. � Cell phone visible or in use: 25-point (5%)

deduction.

Don't take my word for it

•  In two experiments, we examined the effects of text messaging during lecture on comprehension of lecture material.

•  In both experiments, the no-text group significantly outscored the text group on the quiz and felt more confident about their performance.

•  Together, these two experiments clearly illustrate the detrimental effects of texting during class.

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Quizzes

• Nine, via Blackboard • Best 7 used for grade (lowest 2 dropped) •  5 points each = 35 (7% of grade) •  10-20 questions •  (about) 1 minute per question • Answer, go on (no going back) •  6:00 pm Tuesday through 6:00 pm Wednesday •  Last reset at 5:00, Wednesday

A (typical) week in the life of PSYC 001 •  Monday, 11:55 pm: Writing assignments on

upcoming material

•  Tuesday: Come to class (Concept Check) or take an exam (3 times).

•  Tuesday pm – Wednesday pm: Quiz on prior week’s topics.

•  Thursday: Come to class (Concept Check).

…and start all over again!

Exams •  In-class exams (1-3) ▫  60-80 multiple-choice questions on all material

covered since the previous exam (or the start of the semester). ▫  70 minutes, 145-155 points. ▫ Held during usual class period in usual

location. • Final exam: Check the syllabus. ▫  180 (or so) multiple-choice questions in 4

sections ▫  Cumulative—chance to re-take 1-3. ▫  2 1/2 hours, Section 4 = 45 points.

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Exams • LATE? You can take the exam but do not

get extra time. • ACCESS? Contact them. Must take exams

1-3 on same day. • MISSED EXAM? No make-ups. Score

replaced with percentage earned on same section of final exam.

• LOW GRADE? Final-exam re-take can replace it.

Research participation: optional

•  In-person project ▫  Research study ▫  Clinical interview

• Not yet aged 18: Watch for e-mail

Semester Grades

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Scenario 1: Madison Element Points Writing Assignments 18 (out of 20) Concept Checks 15 (out of 20) Attendance 20 (out of 25) Quizzes 20 (out of 35) Bonus Points 10 (out of 10) Exams 350 (out of 500=70%) TOTAL 433 = B

Scenario 2: Belle Element Points Writing Assignments 10 (out of 20) Concept Checks 5 (out of 20) Attendance 5 (out of 25) Quizzes 30 (out of 35) Bonus Points 10 (out of 10) Exams 425 (out of 500=85%) TOTAL 485 = A

Scenario 3: Neve Element Points Writing Assignments 0 (out of 20) Concept Checks 0 (out of 20) Attendance 25 (out of 25) Quizzes 30 (out of 35) Bonus Points 10 (out of 10) Exams 425 (out of 500=85%) TOTAL 490 = A

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Scenario 4: Maximo Element Points Writing Assignments 0 (out of 20) Concept Checks 0 (out of 20) Attendance 25 (out of 25) Quizzes 30 (out of 35) Bonus Points 10 (out of 10) Exams 425 (out of 500=85%) TOTAL 490 = A

Scenario 5: Elvis Element Points Writing Assignments 20 (out of 20) Concept Checks 18 (out of 20) Attendance 20 (out of 25) Quizzes 30 (out of 35) Bonus Points 10 (out of 10) Exams 1-3 (no final) 400 (out of 455=88%) TOTAL 490 = A

Need Help? NEED HELP??? • Check the Syllabus and Blackboard • E-mail psyc001@uvm.edu • Visit the PSYC 001 office, Dewey 208a

(no appointment needed, see Hal or Virginia)

• Check with instructor before or after class, or during office hours (on syllabus)

Virginia

Hal

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For the next class •  Check out Blackboard and Acrobatiq. ▫  Go through the course "Walk-Through." ▫  Go through Unit 1 & 2.

�  As you do, make flash cards (details to follow). �  What TOPICS in psychology interest you the most?

•  Study the syllabus. ▫  See if you can find any substantive errors. ▫  Confirm your availability for the final.

•  Sure you’re staying? ▫  Get an iClicker. Register it (link in Blackboard;

use your net ID). Bring it to class (for practice).

For today (on a sheet of paper—no names, please)

1.  My number-one learning goal for PSYC 001 is…

2.  My biggest worry about this class is…

3.  Something you’d probably never guess about me is…

Welcome to PSYC 001!