Majoring in Psychology

Advanced Schooling

Studying HumanNature

Why 105?Psych at PSU

orApplying to Professional

School

When forming a career plan, there are generally two types of students. What are

the characteristics of each type?

Aligned students have ambitions that match their career plans. They construct good plans (select courses and clubs/activities thoughtfully; understand needed KSAOs)

Misaligned students are just as ambitious, but they are unsure what to do. They have limited knowledge about their future occupation, their school’s educational requirements, helpful educational opportunities, or future demand for people in desired occupation.

Majoring in Psychology100

The overt curriculum includes learning content, or what you learn. The covert curriculum includes how to learn.

Majoring in Psychology200

There are two types of academic curricula. Explain each.

Name three of the five things that, in combination, make Psychology unique.

• It is a science• It studies human AND non-human behavior• It studies brain, individual mind/identity, social/group

AND how these interact• It develops real-world applications/interventions• Uses science to test the effectiveness of

applications/interventions

Majoring in Psychology300

Majoring in Psychology400

What are the core goals of undergraduate psychology programs?

• Strong knowledge base• Strong critical thinking skills• Strong info gathering/synthesis skills• Qualitative and quantitative analysis interpretation• Strong interpersonal/intrapersonal skills• Develop communication skills• History of Psychology (Ethics and Values)

What are the four categories of skills that employers seek out in psych

majors?

Majoring in Psychology500

• Social skills• Personal skills• Communication skills• Information gathering and processing skills

List three reasons why a psych. major might consider going to graduate

school

• Deep interest in understanding human behavior• More money• More flexibility in career choices• Social status of advanced degree• More job opportunities

Advanced Schooling100

What are the goals of graduate programs that use the scientist-practioner model?

To prepare students for careers in academic, practice, or both.

Advanced Schooling200

Lucy's wants to become a college professor. Which type of graduate

program is right for her?

Either a Research-Scientist or Scientist-Practioner program.

Advanced Schooling300

How are counseling psychology and social work different?

Social Work involves less training on assessment techniques and methods, and more focus on how social/economic forces affects an individual.

Counseling involves more training on assessment techniques and methods, and more focus on the mind directly.

Advanced Schooling400

What is the difference between a Practicing Psychologist and

Psychologist Assistant?

A Practicing Psychologist has a doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), is licensed, and can open a private practice.

A Psychologist Assistant has a Master’s degree, and can only conduct assessments and supervise therapy.

Advanced Schooling500

I am considered by many to be the “Father of Psychology.” I opened the first psychology lab. I wrote the first

psychology textbook called Philosophical Studies. Who am I?

Studying Human Nature100

Wilhelm Wundt

The debate over who deserves the title of “Father of Psychology” includes two

candidates, who are they?

Studying Human Nature200

Gustav Fechner and Wilhelm Wundt

Behaviorism, which focuses on behavior as a product of the immediate

environment, is closest to which early model of human nature?

Studying Human Nature300

Locke’s Blank Slate

I am the “American Father of Psychology” and the “Father of Functionalism.”

Who am I?

Studying Human Nature400

William James

Edward Titchener used introspection to try to identify the components of the mind. How did he apply his work to children? to animals?

Studying Human Nature500

He didn’t. He ignored applied problems, children, animals, individual differences, and higher-order mental processes

People want Psychology to answer big questions,but often fear what Psychology may reveal. Thisis part of the ___ of Psychology discussed in class.

Why 105?100

Public Paradox

True or False? Psychological misconceptions are pervasive, and

people can develop them as children.

Why 105?200

TRUE! Misconceptions that begin during childhood carry into

adulthood.

True or False? Many PSYCH courses fail to correct misconceptions about Psychology as a science, related process, or related

careers.

Why 105?300

TRUE!

True or False: It is illegal for people to publish books about psychological

topics containing inaccurate information.

Why 105?400

FALSE. These books are often not written by scientific psychologists. There is no law stating that the information in books has to be accurate.

How does the general public view educational requirements for

Psychology?

Why 105?500

Many people believe that life experiences are enough to train

someone to be a psychologist. Also, people generally don’t think of

psychologists as scientists.

What are the benefits of participating in extra undergraduate opportunities?

PSYCH at PSU or Applying to Professional School

100

• Better letters of recommendation• See what research can be like• Develop skills • Explore your interests• Build your resume

True or False: An internship is considered more prestigious than an undergraduate research

assistantship.

PSYCH at PSU or Applying to Professional School

200

FALSE. Undergraduate research assistantships are,essentially, a type of internship.

Name the five secondary criteria for getting into grad school.

PSYCH at PSU or Applying to Professional School

300

• GPA (last two years only)• Personal statement (goodness of fit)• Coursework• Interview• Interest of proposed faculty member

Name three characteristics of applicants that professional schools want to hear about in letters of recommendation.

PSYCH at PSU or Applying to Professional School

400

• Motivated and hardworking• High intellectual and scholarly ability• Some research skills• Emotionally stable and mature• Strong writing skills

PSYCH at PSU or Applying to Professional School

500

• Motivation• Related knowledge, skills, and abilities• Commitment• Realistic expectations of work

Research experience as an undergrad shows professional schools & employers that you have ___.