12/20/05

    All grades, including Final Integration Paper grades, have now been posted the the Gradebook.  The Course Average column has been updated, accompanied by the course grade that was submitted to the Registrar.  I believe you should be able to view your grade on MyCampus shortly. 

     Congratulations on making it through the semester; I wish everyone a happy  and restful holiday break!

12/18/05

    The J.A. 3 scores have now been posted and the J.A. Average column (next to it) updated accordingly.  For most of the class, your writing and analyses have improved considerably over the course of the term.  You will recall, there were three JAs and the average of those three counts toward 20% of your grade.  I am currently posting the Final Paper (Self-Assessment) grades (also worth 20%) and will update the average column to the far right as I go.   Therefore, if you see a number in the Average column, it takes account of all course work, including both the Final Paper and the JA average.   This will happen tomorrow for many of you; Weds 12/21, the latest. 

12/15/05

    The final exams have now been graded and the pink columns updated accordingly. 

    Notice the mean for the essays was the highest yet - most of you showed really nice improvement in your writing over the course of the semester!  The average for multiple choice (weighted 80%) and the essay (weighted 20%) was 83.4% with a range of 74% to 95%.  Excellent work - congratulations to you all.  I have been reading your final papers and JA 3s, but I will not likely have those grades posted till Monday. 

    I have added a new link to my general homepage: a "life time reading list" which I will update from time to time.  If you are interested in continuing to further your education in psychology and related disciplines, you  might want to check it for updates in the future (even if you are no longer taking a class with me). 

     For those of you interested in theorists' biographies generally, Harry Stack Sullivan, in particular, or gay and lesbian issues: I came across a little article that might be worth your time.  It can be accessed via the William Alanson White Institute's website here:

http://www.wawhite.org/Journal/index.htm

under Current Featured article. 

You may also be able to see it directly via:

http://www.wawhite.org/Journal/featured/blechner.pdf

It is a fairly easy read (only a little analytic jargon). 

12/13/05

     The gradebook has been updated with your Final Exam multiple choice scores, as well as scores for Participation / Attendance, per the syllabus.   All outstanding grading will be posted by 12/21, some beforehand.  You'll notice there are pink columns to the right which indicate estimates for your class grade based on what has been recorded so far.  These are only estimates, I am still double-checking my calculation formulae and they will obviously change as additional grades are posted. 

12/12/05

FINAL EXAM DATA:

     The final exam will have 45 multiple-choice questions taken mainly from the Engler readings, Sampson and accompanying lectures.  There is only one question directly on the films, but having seen them will help you on questions relating to the relevant chapters.  Remember, there will be some Course Overview questions, as well.   Good studying - I'll see you tomorrow at 9am.

12/9/05

FINAL EXAM

ESSAY QUESTION OPTIONS

are below and in a Word file HERE

You will recall that our Final Exam is in room SC-114 on Tuesday 12/13 at 9am.  As you know, the exam covers ch. 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 (conclusion), Sampson’s article and the films of Rogers and Ellis, as well as lecture discussions.  It is scheduled to go till noon, but you may not need that long.  Do feel free to write your essay as a draft and then re-write, you should have plenty of time.  The exam will consist of Multiple Choice questions (about 50) and one essay out of two options from the four listed below.  (I mis-spoke in class when I said one out of three.)  As always, I may revise these questions slightly for the actual exam, so be sure to prepare thoroughly and read the question carefully during the final.

1. Describe Rollo May’s theory of the person.  After your general overview (a), be sure to cover how May defines “anxiety” and how that anxiety might be intensified in our contemporary (Western, post-modern) culture (b).  Give specific examples from your own life (c).  Describe his position on two of Engler’s philosophical dimensions (d).  Do you agree with May’s approach to personality (e)?  Say why or why not.
2. Give an overview of Humanistic Theories (a) and an overview of Cognitive-Behavioral Theories (b).  Using any three of Engler’s five philosophical dimensions, describe how Rogers’ humanistic theory differs from cognitive-behavioral approaches [as represented by Ellis and Beck] on each dimension (c).  Give a clear example showing these differences for each dimension (d).  That is, how does this difference apply to real life?  Finally, critique both by indicating what aspects of each theory you disagree with and why (e).  [If you do not disagree with any aspect, explain several aspects you most agree with and why.]
3. Give a brief overview of the modern, Western Personality theories we studied this semester as a whole (a).  Describe either Zen Buddhist approaches to the person OR Sampson’s post-modern approach (b).  Clearly compare (a) to (b).  If it helps you to make your argument, you may select 3 particular theories to represent the whole of Western Personality Theory.  What are the common issues [covered throughout this course] which any theory of the person needs to address (c)?  How does the “alternative” theory you described in (b) handle these issues differently from the traditional “Western” theories (d)?  Finally, give a specific example from your life where the difference(s) between these approaches would be clearly seen (e).
4. Describe Maslow’s theory of the person.  After your general overview of his main concepts (a), be sure to mention how it was meant to address problems in American psychology (b).  Describe his portrait of the self-actualized person and how he derived it, as well as criticisms that have been made against it (c).  Explain how Maslow’s view of the person compares to your own personal view (i.e., are they similar or different, say how) (d).  Give a specific example from your own life as to how Maslow’s view is similar or different from your own (e).

12/5/05

      Looks like I forgot to post the info we discussed re: CBT techniques for Public Speaking Anxiety reduction.  For anyone interested, here it is:

Public Speaking Feb 20

11/17/05

      The gradebook has been updated with all essay grades, and with question #14 omitted.  The final stats are: Mean = 82%, Range: 71% - 92%. 

     In addition, the assignment for JA #3 (due 11/29) is now posted. 

     Once again, if you have any questions or hesitation about the relaxation exercise we'll be doing on Tuesday, please contact me so we can discuss your concerns. 

11/16/05

For anyone interested:

     Love Out Loud is presenting Bill Altermatt, of the psychology department, as part of their Queer Lecture Series.  His talk is tomorrow at 7pm in Horner 102, and is entitled "The Psychology of Sexual Orientation."

11/15/05

Unfortunately, the CCP Panel on counseling and social work careers described below has been cancelled.  It will be re-scheduled.

11/11/05

For students who miss the films I'm showing in this third of the course, I will try to put them on reserve at the library for you to borrow and view them there.    You will, of course, be tested on this material, so if no other professors need them, I'll leave them there till the final, in case you want to go over them again.

Some of you also might be interested in the following workshop:  

Counseling and Social Work Careers

Tuesday, November 15

6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Science Center 107.

Hanover alumni working in Counseling or Social Work careers will be on campus to talk with students about how they chose their career; what activities, internships or classes helped them; what a typical day might entail or anything else students would like to discuss.    

11/8/05

     For those interested, the following is on reserve as an Optional reading:

     Rogers, C. R. (1947).  Some observations on the organization of personality.  American Psychologist, 2, 358-368. 

     If the reserve desk folks can't find it, ask them to check under my name for Psy 111.

11/7/05

     For any students planning to come by office hours, please be aware that this Weds only, I'll be leaving at 3:50pm.

11/4/05

     Your Multiple Choice scores and their conversion to percentages have been posted.  Note that since this does not include the essay (worth 20% of your exam grade), your final grade on Exam II could go up or down significantly.  Let me know if you cannot see the updated gradebook.

11/3/05

     The Final Exam has been scheduled for us: Tues., 12/13 9am - 12pm, in SC-114.  I will review scantrons from Exam II today and will try to post results of the multiple choice by tomorrow evening.

11/2/05

     Attention Psychology students:

The psychology department is hosting a graduate school forum on Friday, November 4, from 11am-11:50am in Science Center 147. Whether you're a first-year student just beginning to think about psychology as a major or a senior psychology major getting ready to submit your applications, this is an excellent opportunity to learn more about graduate school in psychology-related fields. The session will be open-ended, with psychology faculty available to answer your questions. Please join us.

10/30/05

     As promised, possible Essay questions for Exam II are posted: here, in this Word file.  Let me know right away if you are unable to view it.  This link will be made inactive shortly after the exam.  Please note, this time you will be expected to write a more detailed and thorough essay, because there will be only one essay question.  As always, I suggest you form study groups to prepare, and focus on applying the concepts to examples, not just memorizing terms.  

       Also, you'll notice I am a bit delayed in returning your JA 2's - I apologize.  The Vault problems last week created a cascade of obstacles.  Please know that I am getting to them as quickly as I can.  I will return them by 11/8; sorry for the delay.

10/21/05

     In case it is helpful to planning your schedules for next Spring, I thought I would let you know about the course I will be teaching.  It counts as an elective for Psychology Majors.  Tell your friends....

Loss and Trauma in Life and Literature

 Psychology 260

   This course explores how experiences of suffering can derail, alter or strengthen the process of human development.  We will explore issues such as early parental absence, childhood maltreatment and deprivation due to such events as war and disaster.  Both psychological and literary works will be used to examine how specific developmental challenges impact identity formation.

Pre-requisites: Psy 111 or permission of instructor

10/20/05

     You will notice that the gradebook now has a column for your current average, so you can see roughly how you are doing in the course.  The weightings will change slightly as more tests and papers are graded, but for now the number you see is a pretty close estimate of your course grade.  Please contact me if you have questions about anything.

10/19/05

     For any Sophomores who did not hear it from your advisors or see it on the web, I thought you might be interested in the CCP (and free pizza) tonight:

10/10/05

     You may now see the Short Answer portion (out of 24 possible points) of your Exam I grade, in the gradebook. 

10/7/05

     A couple of reminders:

1.  The McAdams article (20 pg.) due this Tuesday is linked to the 231 Home Page.  It can also be obtained via the library's database.

2.  You have less than three weeks to come talk to me about your final project (10/27 deadline) do not wait until the last minute as that will be the week after break.  You should all have started your Part I (the data collection) by now.  

10/5/05

     I have posted the raw scores for the multiple choice only in the Gradebook.  I included the extra credit (1 point) in that raw score.  Remember, it was out of 60 points, so divide by 60 to see a rough percentage.  Obviously, the short answers and essays can significantly shift your grade up or down but I thought some of you would find this helpful feedback. 

10/3/05

     Please bring pencils for scantron and pens (dark) for writing in blue books.

10/2/05

I have finished writing your first exam.  The structure is as follows:

30 Multiple Choice questions = 60%

There are several Short Answer questions, which entail varying degrees of writing (from fill-ins to a paragraph or so) = 24%

1 Essay question = 16% (you will be given three options, see below)

In order help you study and to minimize anxiety which sometimes accompanies exams, I am posting four essay questions ahead of time.  You will see only three of these options on the exam and will then choose only one to answer.  

1.  Describe fully (a) what Engler calls the three functions of personality theories; (b) say why it is important to distinguish among the different functions; (c) use clear examples to make your point.

2.  How did Freud’s theory foreshadow later views that both (a) nature and (b) nurture are important to the development of personality?  (c) Describe one other key concept described by Freudian theory which continues to have usefulness today.

3.  Explain (a) what Jung meant by an Archetype, (b) give examples.  How might Jung's theory (c) be used to provide a more relevant explanation of traditional religious concepts (e.g., god and the devil) so they would be more viable concepts for people living in our current post-modern, multi-cultural society?

4.  Describe (a) Sullivan’s theory generally, including key concepts; be sure to (b) discuss the role of anxiety, as well as (c) his developmental stages.   

10/1/05

     I have finished posting JA 1 grades in the spreadsheet.  All papers are awaiting pick up outside my door, SC 255.  The Science Ctr is open Sat. till 4pm and Sunday 2pm-11pm.  As we discussed, thinking about my comments and how to improve your writing should help your essays.  If you do not understand my comments, feel free to contact me.  I should probably warn folks who have not had me before: I tend to write a lot in red on essays (especially the first time).  Please do not be shocked or dismayed, the amount of writing does not necessarily correspond to a negative judgment.  The comments are there to help you improve your method of arguing, your clarity, etc.

     For future reference, I use the following grade conversion scale for converting your final course average to a letter grade. 

  9/21/05

   Your Final Project assignment has now been posted; we'll review in class.  In case I forget to mention in class, I have researched the answer to Sean's question.  When Freud spoke at Clark University in 1909, he did so in German.  He gave five lectures which were subsequently translated into English by James Strachey and published as a single volume by W. W. Norton entitled Five Lectures on Psycho-analysis.  You can find it on Amazon or most bookstores.

  9/14/05

   Rachel asked a question re: JA 1 which others may have, so I'll share my answer with you all.  Because this assignment is a "journal" style, you are expected to bring something of yourself into the work.  I mentioned in the assignment using your own experiences as examples.  This also means  you should feel free to use the personal pronoun "I" when referring to your own ideas.  While APA style usually discourages this, that is for formal journal articles.  In this class I want to see you grappling with the material and how it applies to your own understanding of Personality Theory and of yourself.  While you may find that harder to do with Freud's text, certainly going forward in the course you should be exploring how a given author links up with (or contradicts) your views and life experiences.

     PS, for those of you who are confused, Freud's use of Pcpt. = perception (what we consciously perceive).

9/9/05

The first Journal Assignment has now been posted on our coursepage.  Please let me know immediately if you have any trouble accessing it.  Your current assignments are to read chapter 2 in Engler for Tuesday and to read Freud once through before re-reading it and writing.  J.A. #1 is due at the start of class Thursday, no late papers will be accepted.

I had some difficulty loading the Gradebook to the webpage.  Whoever has a chance - please view / download it and make sure you can find your codename and attendance.  Then write (or tell me in class) that you were successful or if you had problems.  Thanks.