General Psychology

Psychology 201

Extra Credit Requirements

All extra credit due at Exam #3 December 9, 8:00-10:00

 

In this class you can earn up to 15 points extra credit by participating in psychological research or by reviewing a journal article related to topics discussed in class.

 

Option 1 Participation in Psychological Research

 

Serve as a participant in a study conducted in the psychology department (either through psychology 217 or one of the professors). Information about research studies (when, where, how long) is usually posted on the bulletin board outside of the Todd Hall Library (Todd 106).  Extra credit earned in research usually depends upon amount of time spent on the project. Usually 5 points are awarded if participation takes 30 minutes or less. Participation in longer projects is eligible to receive up to 10 points. You can participate in any combination of studies for up to 15 extra credit points. Once you participate in the study or studies, you will receive an extra credit participation slip which specifies the amount of time required for participation. Keep extra credit slips and turn in on December 9 during Exam #3.

 

 

Option 2 Review of Psychology Journal Article  

 

You may earn up to 15 points extra credit by locating, reading, and reviewing an article that has been published in a psychological journal. The article that you select should be related to a topic that is covered in psychology 201 (physiology, sensation & perception, development, learning, memory, language or thinking) and should include a study (method section with participants, procedure, etc). Be sure that the article you select is one that you understand well enough to summarize in your own words. You may need to look through a few articles before you find one that is appropriate for this assignment. If in doubt, check with me about the appropriateness of an article. A list of journals which will include articles for this assignment appears below. When you have located the article, read it and write a 2-3 page summary/critique of the article. Your summary should be typed double spaced and written in your own words (do not use quotes).

 

To earn all 15 points you must include the following

1.      Attach a photocopy of the article reviewed. You will not receive extra credit without including a copy of the article reviewed.

2.      Summarize the article. Include what the authors wanted to find (the hypothesis), how the study was conducted, what the results were, how the authors interpreted the results, and what the authors now think due to the results.

3.      Attempt to relate the findings to what you have learned in class. For example, do these results represent a major finding in the area? Do the results contradict earlier findings?

4.      Attempt to assess the quality and relevance of the research. Look for major flaws and confounding variables. Explain why you think that something was a problem rather than simply listing the problems.

 

Appropriate Journals for Extra Credit Option #2

 

Brain & Cognition

Brain & Language

Child Development

Cognitive Development

Cognitive Neuropsychology

Cognitive Studies

College Student Journal

Developmental Psychology

First Language

Journal of Applied Psychology

Journal of Experimental Psychology: General

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Comparative & Physiological Psychology

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning & Memory

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception & Performance

Learning

Perceptual and Motor Skills

Psychological Reports

Psychology & Aging

Psychology of Learning & Motivation

Psychology in the Schools

 

All of the above journals are available through Hamersly library.