Psychology 390

Theories of Learning

Seminar/Discussion Guidelines

Look over the list of assigned additional readings. In class on January 11 you will be allowed to sign up to serve as a discussion leader for one article. The number of students allowed to sign up for each article will be determined by final class enrollment.

What should a seminar/discussion leader do?

Your main objective is to ensure that your group has an intellectually stimulating encounter with the article. You should extract issues, make connections to related class material, and raise discussion questions (and be ready to provide answers and discuss questions raised by other group members). You should not plan on lecturing to your group, as they will be responsible for reading the assigned article prior to class. Plan on preparing enough material for your group to spend at least 30 minutes discussing the article. Ideally you should provide some thought provoking questions, and the group should spend time discussing them. Do not miss your seminar date. You will not be allowed to “make-up” a missed seminar.

At least two classes prior to your scheduled seminar, you must submit a one page typed outline of your seminar presentation to your instructor. (i.e. if your presentation is on January 27, submit your outline in class on January 20). Your outline should include possible questions, connections to class material, and other issues you plan to discuss with your group. The next day in class your outline will be returned with feedback so that you can make revisions prior to your seminar. For the day of your seminar, make a copy of your outline to pass out to your group members. I will let you know the exact number of copies to make for your specific seminar.

Your grade will be based upon your outline, group discussion on the scheduled day, and the group’s evaluation of your performance.

What should the rest of the group do on seminar days?

Each student must read the assigned article prior to the seminar discussion. Bring your copy of the article to class on the seminar date. Prior to class, you should formulate at least 2 questions to ask your discussion leader. Be prepared to speak up, answer and ask questions. Remember attendance will be taken on seminar days and your group leader will evaluate your participation.

Seminar Articles and Dates

To be led by Dr. Strapp (January 13, 2005)

Rothbaum, B. O., Kozak, M. J., Foa, E. B., & Whitaker, D., J. (2001). Posttraumatic stress disorder in rape victims: Autonomic habituation to auditory stimuli. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 14 (2), 283-293.

To be led by students

(January 27, 2005)

Nassani, M. (2000). Can taste aversion prevent bruxism? Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 25 (1), 43-54.

(February 3, 2005)

Remington, B., Roberts, P., & Glautier, S. (1997). The effect of familiarity on tolerance to alcohol. Addictive Behaviors, 22 (1), 45-53.

(February 22, 2005)

Keinan, G. (2002). The effects of stress and desire for control on superstitious behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28 (1), 102-108.

(March 3, 2005)

Pierce, D. W., & Epling, F. W. (1994). Activity anorexia: An interplay between basic and applied behavior analysis. Behavior Analyst, 17 (1), 7-23.

(March 10, 2005)

Taglialatela, J. P., Savage-Rumbaugh, S., Baker, L. A. (2003). Vocal production by a language competent Pan paniscus. International Journal of Primatology, 24(1), 1-17.

Seminar Leader Evaluation of Group Members’ Participation

Seminar Leader: _________________

Seminar Leader: Please evaluate your group members using the following scale:

0 = not present, absent

1 = present but not contributing to discussion, no article

2 = present and contributing, but unclear as to whether read the material

3 = present and contributing, made a few relevant comments

4 = present and contributing, clearly prepared for group discussion, great questions or answers

Member’s Name

1. 0 1 2 3 4

2. 0 1 2 3 4

3. 0 1 2 3 4

4. 0 1 2 3 4

5. 0 1 2 3 4

6. 0 1 2 3 4

Group Member Evaluation of Seminar Leader

Your Name: _________________

Seminar Leader: _________________

Please evaluate the performance of your seminar leader based on the following criteria:

1 = rarely or not at all

2 = a little of the time

3 = some of the time

4 = a good part of the time

5 = most or all of the time

1) The leader was able to answer questions 1 2 3 4 5

2) The leader asked thought provoking questions 1 2 3 4 5

3) The leader stimulated conversation and discussion 1 2 3 4 5

4) The leader related article to course material 1 2 3 4 5

5) The leader left me with a better understanding

of the article 1 2 3 4 5

Name: ___________________

Psychology 390

Theories of Learning

Seminar Gradesheet

1. Outline (30 pts)

Submitted on time

Thought provoking questions & issues