Research Participation Requirement

All students taking PSYC 101 Introduction to Psychology must complete a research participation requirement. This requirement may be completed in one of two ways. The first way is to participate in 4 units of research conducted by faculty, independent study students under the supervision of faculty, or students in the PSYC 485 Senior Thesis class. Psychology relies on empirical methods to test and refine its theories and exposure to the research process is considered an important learning experience for students. We understand, though, that some individuals may object to participation in research studies. The second way to fulfill the requirement is to read four articles and to write a two-page paper about each one. The articles must be chosen from the approved list which is posted below and on the Participant Pool bulletin board outside White Hall room 333. Failure to meet this requirement will result in one full letter grade reduction (10%) in your final grade. Signup sheets and complete participation policies and procedures may be found on the Participant Pool Bulletin Board.

Research Participation Policies and Forms

Psychology Department Participant Pool Policies and Procedures [pdf format file]

Request to Use the Participant Pool [MS Word document]

Participant Sign Up Form [MS Word document]

Research Participation Credit Form [MS Word document]

Research Participation Penalty Form [MS Word document]

Approved Articles

Copies of these articles are on reserve in the library at the Reserve Desk.

Bouchard, T., Lykken, D. McGue, M., Segal, N. & Tellegen, A. (1990). Sources of human psychological differences: The Minnesota study of twins reared apart. Science, 250, 223-229.

Darley, J. M. & Latane (1968). Bystander intervention in emergencies: Diffusion of responsibility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 8, 377-383.

DiSalvo, D. (2010). Are social networks messing with your head? Scientific American Mind, 20 (7), 48-55.

Drury, J. & Reicher, S. D. (2010). Crowd control. Scientific American Mind, 21 (5), 58-65.

Fields, H. L. (2009). The psychology of pain. Scientific American Mind, 20 (5), 42-49.

Huff, D. (1954). How to lie with statistics. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. Extracts from the book.

Levine, A. & Heller, R. S. F. (2011). Get attached: The surprising secrets to finding the right partner for a healthy relationship. Scientific American Mind, 21 (6), 22-29.

Lilienfeld, S. O., Lynn, S. J., Ruscio, J, & Beyerstein, B. L. (2010). Busting big myths in popular psychology. Scientific American Mind, 21 (1), 42-49.

Loftus, E. F. (1975). Leading questions and the eyewitness report. Cognitive Psychology, 7, 560-572.

Macknik, S. L., Martinez-Conde, S., & Blakeslee, S. (2010). Mind over magic? Scientific American Mind, 21 (5), 22-29.

Masters, W. H. & Johnson, V. E. (1966). Human sexual response. Boston: Little, Brown.

Sacks, O. (1985). The man who mistook his wife for a hat and other clinical tales. New York: Touchstone. Extracts from the book.

Shaffer, L. & Merrens, M. R. (2004). Research stories for introductory psychology. Boston: Pearson. Chapter 20

Wenner, M. (2009). The serious need for play. Scientific American Mind, 20 (1), 22-29.