Reader Survey: Teaching High School Psychology

Here at Teaching High School Psychology, we want to be as useful as possible.  To that end, we are asking that you fill out this brief survey to help us hone the direction(s) we move in.  Results are anonymous unless you choose to add your name/email.

Please take the two to three minutes to help us out.  We really, really, really appreciate your help!!!


posted by Chuck Schallhorn

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The Psychology of Fear and Tough Mudder Races

I was reading my Google News and ran across this gem: The Psychology of Fear: How Tough

Mudder Designs Obstacles to Torture You.

While I do not know anyone who has done a Tough Mudder course, I have had many friends do other obstacle races such as the Warrior Dash.  The article talks extensively about the psychology behind the mental challenges, creating reinforcers to get veterans to come back and newbies to take the challenge.  There are all sorts of psychological issues and ideas discussed in the article, so if you enjoy these races, here is why. :)

Below is their YouTube preview video


posted by Chuck Schallhorn

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Hidden Within Symbols

Quick post on a repeat topic, but here are many logos all in one place from our friends at Daily Infographic:

You can find their post here: http://dailyinfographic.com/40-brand-logos-with-hidden-messages-infographic

I could not embed the picture, so do take a look at it from their site.


posted by Chuck Schallhorn

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Upcoming Psychology Conferences

Good day everyone,

I have permission from Emily Leary to share this information with you.  Here are some upcoming conferences that contain some incredible professional development. If you can go, please do, you will make some great connections and learn some valuable lessons.

This is from the following link:
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/01/regional-meeting.aspx

Eastern Psychological Association

March 5–7, Philadelphia

This year's invited speakers include:

• Irving Kirsch, PhD, Harvard Medical School, "The Emperor's New Drugs: Informing the Public about the Hidden Data."
• Eric Landrum, PhD, Boise State University, "Undergraduate Psychology Education and our Collective Legacy at Risk."
• Scott Lilienfeld, PhD, Emory University, "Psychopathic Personality: Scientific Consensus, Scientific Controversy."
• Robert Kurzban, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, "On Having the Willpower to Abandon the Resource Account of Willpower."
• Kirk Heilbrun, PhD, Drexel University, "The Technology of Psychology: Where Are We and Where Do We Go From Here?"
• Daniel Wagner, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, "Learning as a Psychological Concept, and as an International Policy Goal: Shared Meanings, Shared Actions?"
• Justin Harris, PhD, University of Sydney, Australia, "The Laws of Conditioning: Doing Time for Guilt by Association."
• Art Markman, PhD, University of Texas, "Exploration and Exploitation: A Journey from the Lab to the World."
• Tracey Shors, PhD, Rutgers University, "Mental and Physical Skill (MAP) Training: A Neurogenesis-Inspired Intervention that Enhances Health in Humans."
• Bill Fifter, PhD, Columbia University, "Early Origins: Neurobehavioral Development in the Fetus and Newborn."

Southeastern Psychological Association

March 18–21, Hilton Head, South Carolina

Highlights from the SEPA meeting include:

• Deborah Best, PhD, Wake Forest University, "Culture and Socialization of Gender."
• Steve Kass, PhD, University of West Florida, "Driver Attention: Findings and Future Directions."
• Scott Lilienfeld, PhD, Emory University, "50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology."
• Marilyn Carroll, PhD, University of Minnesota, is the APA 2015 Distinguished Scientist Lecturer.
• Dawn M. Szymanski, PhD, University of Tennessee, is the CEPO Invited Speaker on Heterosexism and Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Persons' Psychosocial Health.
• Jordan Troisi, PhD, Sewanee: The University of the South, is the Society for the Teaching of Psychology's Invited Speaker, "Navigating the Life of the Mind (Together): A Scholarly Look at Pedagogy, Relationships, and the Intersection of the Two."
• Peter Giordano, PhD, Belmont University, the Psi Chi Distinguished Lecturer, "Identity Development in College Students: Can Random Comments Change Lives?"
• Tara Collins, PhD, Winthrop University, the Psi Chi Invited Speaker, "Toward a More Comprehensive Understanding of ‘In-Between' Sexual Orientations."

At the SEPA 2015 conference, there will also be an APA Academic Career Workshop, as well as multiple continuing-education workshops.

Rocky Mountain Psychological Association

April 8–11, Boise, Idaho

Among this year's highlights are:

• Erin Bigler, PhD, Brigham Young University, is the Distinguished Lecturer.
• Charles Honts, PhD, Boise State University, will deliver the Past President's Address.
• Brian A. Nosek, PhD, University of Virginia, will deliver the Presidential Address.
• William Douglas Woody, PhD, University of Northern Colorado, will deliver the Second Annual RMPA Alumni Address.
• David Myers, PhD, Hope University, is the invited diversity speaker.
• Lori James, PhD, University of Colorado, is the G. Stanley Hall Lecturer.
• Stan Coren, PhD, is the Gardner Memorial Lecturer.

Southwestern Psychological Association

April 10–12, Wichita, Kansas

With a convention theme of "Myth Meets Science," invited speakers will explore ways their research uses the scientific method to debunk myths. Speakers include:

• Scott Lilienfeld, PhD, Emory University, "Distinguishing Science from Pseudoscience in Psychology: Implications for Everyday Life."
• Norbert Schwarz, PhD, University of Southern California, "The Challenge of Debunking Myths: When Weird Ideas Feel True."
• Regan A.R. Gurung, PhD, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, "Wearing Our Personalities? Examining Clothing Myths, Impression Formation and Objectification."
• Travis Langley, PhD, Henderson State University, "The Filter of Fiction: How Batman, Buffy, Breaking Bad, and More Teach Real Psychology."
• Heather Berlin, PhD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, "The Neuroscience of Free Will: Legal Implications."
• Baba Brinkman: Canadian rap artist Baba Brinkman is best known for his award-winning hip-hop theatre shows, including "The Rap Guide to Evolution" and The "Canterbury Tales Remixed," which interpret the works of Darwin and Chaucer for a modern audience. He will perform an educational rap on myths in evolutionary psychology.

SWPA affiliate programming includes:

• Southwestern Teachers of Psychology: Stephen Chew, PhD, Samford University, "The Tragedy of Teaching Psychology: The Slaying of Ugly Facts by a Beautiful Myth."
• Society for Applied Multivariate Research: John Bardo, PhD, Wichita State University, "The Myths of Economic Development: Reshaping a regional economy on university-based innovation."
• Psi Chi: Pamela Keel, PhD, Florida State University.

Midwestern Psychological Association

April 30–May 2, Chicago

The Midwestern Psychological Association Meeting will feature papers, posters, workshops and discussion sessions from researchers across the Midwest and around the world. This year's invited speakers include:

• John B. Pryor, PhD, Purdue University, MPA Presidential Address.
• Susan T. Fiske, PhD, Princeton University, Psi Chi Distinguished Lecture.
• Michael J. Dougher, PhD, University of New Mexico, APA G. Stanley Hall Lecture.
• Roy Baumeister, PhD, Florida State University.
• Brian A. Nosek, PhD, University of Virginia.
• Nora S. Newcombe, PhD, Temple University.
• Ken A. Paller, PhD, Northwestern University.
• Charles S. Carver, PhD, University of Miami.

The following speakers will also offer research methods and statistics workshops:

• John Spencer, PhD, University of Iowa, on modeling using dynamic neural field theory.
• W. Joel Schneider, PhD, Illinois State University, on practical psychometrics.
• Charles S. Reichardt, PhD, University of Denver, "How to Be a Brilliant Researcher."
• Matthew S. Fritz, PhD, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, "Mediation, Moderation, and Conditional Process Models."

Western Psychological Association

April 30–May 3, Las Vegas

The 2015 convention program will feature more than 30 distinguished speakers and invited symposia in addition to the Terman Teaching Conference on April 29, statistics workshops, the WPA film festival and presentations by WPA members. Among the highlights are:

• Jodie Ullman, PhD, California State University, San Bernardino, will deliver the WPA Presidential Address.
• Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, PhD, of the University of Delaware, will give the APA Distinguished Scientist Lecture.
• David Funder, PhD, of the University of California, Riverside, will be the Psi Chi Distinguished Speaker on the International Personality Project.
• Michael Twohig, PhD, Utah State University, will give the E.E. Jones Clinical and Psychotherapy Research Award Address.
• Philip Zimbardo, PhD, of the Heroic Imagination Project will give a presentation on the topic of "The Secret Powers of Time in Your Life."

WPA Award Addresses will be delivered by:

• Peter Bentler, PhD, University of California, Los Angeles, (Life Achievement).
• Eugene Wong, PhD, California State University, San Bernardino (Teaching).
• Jason T. Siegel, PhD, Claremont Graduate University (Early Career Research).
• Allen M. Omoto, PhD, Claremont Graduate University (Social Responsibility).

New England Psychological Association

Oct. 9–10, Fitchburg, Massachusetts

The NEPA 2015 annual meeting will be held at Fitchburg State University. The NEPA program continues to develop but is off to a great start with Bernard Beins, PhD, as the NEPA Distinguished Contribution Award Speaker. As always, NECTOP will meet the day before NEPA at the same location and will have Eric Landrum, PhD, as one of the keynote speakers. The NEPA meeting will include Psi Chi programming. Please visit the NEPA website at for more detailed information on submission deadlines for both conferences.

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New Personality Lesson Plan from TOPSS!

If you're a member of TOPSS, you may have seen this announcement (if you're not a member of TOPSS, now is a GREAT time to join!) The new Personality lesson plan looks great!

"New TOPSS Unit Lesson Plan: Personality

The APA Education Directorate and the TOPSS Committee are pleased to announce a new TOPSS unit lesson plan on Personality.  Written by Simine Vazire, PhD, of Washington University in St. Louis, and reviewed by TOPSS members R. Scott Reed and Wendy Hart, the unit plan includes a content outline, classroom activities, critical thinking and discussion questions, references and suggested readings, and two appendixes.  The six lessons cover An Introduction to Personality, Assessment of Personality, Psychodynamic Theories of Personality, Trait and Social-Cognitive Theories of Personality, Humanistic Theories of Personality, and Personality: Culture, Work, and Health.

The lesson plan is available to APA teacher affiliates at http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/topss/lessons/index.aspx.  Please remember that new lesson plans on Psychological Disorders and Perspectives in Psychological Science are also available online! "




posted by Rob McEntarffer

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2014 AP exam breakdown

Nancy Diehl and I have teamed up to break down this year's AP Psychology released exam by content areas (see previous posts for the breakdowns of the tests of 2013 and 2012). Remember: these are exams that have been released by the College Board only for teachers through the AP Course Audit site. These are not to be posted online, and we are not doing so - we're just categorizing the multiple choice items.

How can you use this as an AP psych teacher? Well, give one of these exams as a practice exam in your classroom, then use our specifications to evaluate how each student does on each section. You can then use these results to have them focus their review on the areas they need the most help on! (Talk about - dare I say it? - actual data-driven instruction?)

Several of these were almost impossible to fit into just one content area, so Nancy and I are using our best guesses. We've been back and forth on some of the questions a few times ourselves, so I'd be surprised if our guesses were exactly the same as everyone else's - but they're sure to be close. Hope this helps you and your students!

-- posted by Steve

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Show some love for the Psych Files

I apologize for not posting very much recently - I've been swamped with various tasks at school and haven't had much free time to spare. One thing that I've been very thankful for, though, is the many people in the psychology community who do such a terrific job of creating and sharing great resources for us all. For example, my fellow moderators on this blog have been adding some great things recently, and I love reading their posts!

But another person who constantly creates interesting and helpful psychology resources is Michael Britt of the Psych Files. I have been following his work for the past five or six years, and I'm amazed at the depth and breadth of wonderful things he's offered, such as:

an AP Psych Test Review site and app
mnemonics for parts of the brain, Erikson's stages, and Piaget's stages
an app to insert Freud into your selfies
a great series of podcasts (including the most recent one on psychology and torture)

I'm posting this because Michael is shifting into a different mode, asking folks who listen and use his terrific resources to contribute financially to enable him to keep doing this. I support this idea and hope all folks who use his great stuff take a few minutes during the season of giving to show some love to Michael. But more than that, think of this as an INVESTMENT so that Michael can continue to create high quality resources that we can use and use with our students. Click on the image above (or here) to become a patron of the Psych Files today!

--posted by Steve

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Commercial with Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Every time I see this commercial, I cannot help but think it is an example of self-fulfilling prophecy, although a mistaken one.  The man sees his shirt in the window and then notices people, especially attractive women, looking in his direction and being interested and smiling. Of course they are looking at the stylish car and beyond him.  After this happens a couple of times, he begins to change his attitude and act more confidently.

Again, this is accidental, but seems to illustrate the point.  Please let me know if you have a different view.




posted by Chuck Schallhorn

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Historical Psychology Texts Online

One of the emails I receive is from "The Scout Report" from the University of Wisconsin.  They put out a weekly set of amazing resources out on the web.  In today's email, I found this wonderful set of historical documents compiled by Mike Palij.

Here is the selection of the entry in today's email.  I apologize for the formatting issues.

HathiTrust Digital Library: 19th-20th Century Psychology Texts·http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/mb?a=listis;c=715130871
The HathiTrust Digital Library is a partnership between academic and research institutions "offering a collection of millions of titles digitized from libraries around the world." Named "Hathi" for the Hindi word for elephant - because the apocryphal elephant never forgets - this free resource will serve anyone with an internet connection and a thirst for knowledge. For instance, the current link navigates to a collection of 19th and 20th century psychology texts, 238 of which may be read in full on the site. With volumes such as The American Journal of Insanity, published in 1845, and the Archives of psychology, spanning from 1908 to 1923, there is much to explore in these pages. If psychology is not for you, the Collections section is another great place to scout. Here, readers can explore what others are searching for in the Trust, such as "Islamic Manuscripts" and "Records of the American Colonies." For those doing any sort of historical research, this site is definitely worth while.

Here is a link to a scanned version of Watson's textbook on comparative psychology:
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015003744326;view=1up;seq=1

Enjoy.


posted by Chuck Schallhorn

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25 Things Psychology Teaches Us

I just received this in my email--25 Things Psychology Tells You About Yourself."  I was hooked but was skeptical at the claims.  But after reading them, I see them as potential case studies to connect to concepts or as a review for Advanced Placement Psych.  They could also be used for a hook at the beginning of a semester or unit.  Take a look, they are worth it.  This is how the rest of the world sees us in psychology.

http://list25.com/25-things-psychology-tells-you-about-yourself/?view=all

posted by Chuck Schallhorn

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