A Demonstration of Undergraduate Students' First Impressions and Their Ratings of Pathology

2002 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 613-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon E. Roeckeletn

An interactive team exercise based in the dual topic areas of social and abnormal psychology is described that employs videotaped case studies to sensitize students to the processes by which they form first impressions of other people, and to various issues regarding assessments of mental disorders. Each of three case studies is presented in two parts: Part 1 simulates a “first impression” condition—involving students' ratings of perceived pathology—by briefly showing only a patient (no soundtrack present), and Part 2 constitutes a “further disclosure” condition by giving more exposure—involving therapists' diagnoses and assessments—of the same patient with both sight and soundtrack presented. Data are reported from 12 introductory psychology classes in which students ( N = 367) rated the three patients on psychopathology is perceived severity of disorder as compared to the actual assessments (also contained on the videotapes) made by clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. The demonstration is useful in eliciting consistent and predictable first impressions from students, in stimulating classroom discussion about the value and accuracy of person perceptions and first impressions, and in alerting students to problems related to the identification of mental disorders.

1979 ◽  
Vol 44 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1277-1278
Author(s):  
April S. Hatcher ◽  
E. Eugene Schultz

Typically, individuals assign blame to victims of unfortunate circumstances. When external constraints are increased, less blame is usually assigned. In the present study, causal attribution for mental disorders was examined by varying external constraints. Subjects were 96 undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory psychology course. Results yielded no consistent external or internal attributions which may indicate an important exception to the tendency to blame victims.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liviu Florea ◽  
Sorin Valcea ◽  
Maria Riaz Hamdani ◽  
Thomas W. Dougherty

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate how individual interviewers’ dispositional cognitive motivations may influence interview interactions and outcomes. More specifically, this study explores the influence of the need for cognition, need for cognitive closure, and accountability on the relationship between first impressions and selection decisions.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 41 graduate students were assigned the role of interviewers and were tasked to interview 331 undergraduate students at a large Midwestern university. The selection interview was designed to recruit qualified undergraduate students to the MBA program of the university.FindingsFirst impressions significantly influenced selection decisions, but did not influence interviewers’ behaviors. Moreover, multilevel analyses reveal that interviewers’ need for cognition and accountability moderate the relationship between first impression and selection decisions, albeit in different direction. Need for cognition strengthens, whereas accountability weakens the relationship between first impression and selection decision.Research limitations/implicationsA potential interviewer bias is apparent, where interviewers high on need for cognition tend to weight first impressions more in the decision process. However, this bias was not directly observable, since interviewers’ behaviors during the interview were not affected by first impressions.Originality/valueThe present study goes beyond previous research on first impressions in the employment interview, finding that dispositional differences account for the tendency to weigh first impressions in the selection decision.


2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie A. Leonard ◽  
Jacqueline D. Love ◽  
Michelle Mancuso ◽  
Kirsten L. Mitchell ◽  
Steven A. Meyers

2021 ◽  
pp. 009862832110153
Author(s):  
Rhea L. Owens ◽  
Sean Heaslip ◽  
Meara Thombre

Background: While abnormal psychology courses have traditionally focused on psychopathology, there are several benefits to adopting a strengths-based approach. Objective: This study examined the teaching of a strengths-based assessment approach (the DICE-PM Model), compared to teaching as usual, in an undergraduate abnormal psychology course. Method: Two sections of an abnormal psychology course were taught a strengths-based assessment approach while two sections were taught as usual. All participants completed measures of knowledge of psychological disorders and mental illness stigma at the beginning and end of the semester. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge of disorders and a significant decrease in mental illness stigma with the exception of one category assessed (recovery), generally with small effect sizes. Those in the strengths group, compared to the control, showed a significantly greater decrease in mental illness stigma involving anxiety related to others with mental illness, though also with a small effect. Conclusion: Findings suggest strengths-based assessment education does not compromise the instruction of psychological disorders and is equivalent to a traditional abnormal psychology course in reducing mental illness stigma. Teaching Implications: Such an approach may be beneficial early in students’ education to reduce mental illness stigma and promote comprehensive assessment practices.


1998 ◽  
Vol 274 (6) ◽  
pp. S18
Author(s):  
E M Tansey

Animal experimentation has been subject to legislative control in the United Kingdom since 1876. This paper reviews the impact of that legislation, which was replaced in 1986, on the teaching of practical physiology to undergraduate students. Highlights and case studies are also presented, drawing on Government reports and statistics, published books and papers, and unpublished archival data.


1992 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 404-405
Author(s):  
Ruth M Williams ◽  
o̊Lecturer in Psychology

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-68
Author(s):  
E. Erlina ◽  
C. Cane ◽  
D. P. Williams

Previous research has reported that many high-school and undergraduate students have difficulty explaining the relationship between polarity and electronegativity even though they may be familiar with the concept of polarity. This study aims to address these misconceptions using a leaflet and assess its effectiveness using questionnaires and concept testing.  A simple, colorful printable leaflet was produced and distributed to students in Indonesia. The Leaflet on Electronegativity (LoEN) provided students with an overview of the theoretical basis of the concepts and guidance on applying these principles. The leaflet format is cheap and easy to mass-produce, which is an important factor given the limited access to other types of appropriate learning resources in Indonesia. The leaflet formed the basis of a classroom discussion activity. Visualization is known to play an important role in constructing students' conceptual understanding, so the leaflet made extensive use of diagrams to explain relevant concepts. The leaflet was printed in full color to make it visually appealing and facilitate student learning. Students were tested before and after learning with the LoEN. A Paired-sample t-test using SPSS is used to compare the pretest and posttest scores to measure the effectivity of the LoEN.A statistically significant improvement in scores (p = 0.000) was achieved, which indicates that using the LoEN in the classroom helps students understand the topic. Also, students' positive responses signify that the LoEN provides an engaging way to learn the concepts.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-22
Author(s):  
Rachella Ryandra Fitri

The purpose of this study is to observe: (1) Gender difference in mental health literacy of Yogyakarta State University students and (2) Differences in mental health literacy of Yogyakarta State University students based on vignette character’s gender. The type of this study was factorial survey. In this study, respondents were presented with short descriptions called vignette that were constructed and contained elements that had been manipulated by the researcher to control certain variables, namely gender and mental disorders that the characters had. Then, subjects were asked to answer closed questions (Mental Health Literacy Test) based on the vignettes. The subjects in this study were 377 undergraduate students from Yogyakarta State University. The sampling techniques used in this study were cluster random sampling and incidental sampling. Chi-Square was performed to analyze the data. The results of this study indicated that: (1) There were gender differences in mental health literacy aspect positive attitudes toward professional help where more male respondents did not recommend seeking professional help for depression (2) There were differences in mental health literacy aspects knowledge about the causes of mental disorders and positive attitudes towards professional help based on gender vignette characters for depression.


2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Green ◽  
Myia L. Graves ◽  
Carrie M. Edwards ◽  
Edward P. Hebert ◽  
Daniel B. Hollander

Physical activity enhances physical health, reduces disease, and resists metabolic syndrome and obesity, while sitting for extended periods of time has a negative effect on long term health outcomes. Thus, reducing sitting time has been identified as a health-enhancing goal. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions and responses of college students to sitting versus standing in class. Five standing desks were placed in a classroom of traditional sitting desks. In a counterbalanced, within subjects design, 88 undergraduate students (age M=21.64, SD=6.55 years) participated in the study. Some participating students first stood at a desk for three consecutive class meetings and then sat for three classes while others sat for three consecutive classes and then stood for three. Surveys were administered at the beginning and end of each class and at the end of six consecutive class sessions. Results indicated that mood was signifi- cantly higher on standing than sitting days, the majority of participants had a favorable perception of the standing-in-class experience, and would use standing stations if the option was available. This study is one of few to examine the viability and response to adding standing desks in college classrooms, and indicates standing desks may be perceived favorably and could be utilized to reduce sitting time.


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