Psychology, the field that carefully, scientifically sheds light on how and why we act and think, is an extremely interesting subject with many fascinating topic areas, as well as being a popular major in undergraduate programs. The introductory course in psychology, exploring much of the broad discipline, is a challenging course and a necessary prerequisite to further study. We want you to succeed when you take PSY 101, and many of you will have to work harder at it than you expect. The material in Introduction to Psychological Science is scientific, detailed, precise, and frequently explained in a language of its own. In addition, the course moves quickly from topic to topic, so we ask that you come prepared to focus and work hard. We think you need to invest an average of around six hours each week outside of class time on reading, studying, and reviewing material. If you are prepared and committed to succeeding, consider the following advice:
Read the Book
Seems obvious, doesn't it? But remember that all the material you will be tested on in this course comes from the textbook (and two additional readings in Module 1). If you know and understand what's in the book, then you will be prepared for the tests. Read the material before class, so that lectures will seem like a review, and if something in the book isn't clear you can ask your professor about it in class. And read carefully, preferably taking notes as you do: we don't test you only for highlighted material in the textbook; if you're reluctant to write directly in your book, use post-it notes, 3X5 index cards, a notebook, or a print copy of the study guide to write notes pertaining to every page of assigned reading. The more actively you read the book (meaning: taking notes while reading, quizzing yourself after sections, etc.), the better you'll score on the tests. If the material is in the textbook, and mentioned in the study guide, then it might show up on your test, so you need to do everything you can to understand it and commit it to memory. Active reading is a big part of that. If your reading skills are weak, we strongly recommend taking a reading skills course alongside or prior to taking PSY 101. And read what we have described in the Study Guide on study skills, and take our advice seriously.
Go to Class
It also seems obvious, but it needs saying. Very few students can read the book and take the tests and get A's, and for them this is fine. Almost all students, however, perform better on tests when they attend class. And if you aren't doing well, and you aren't going to class, there's probably a connection. We've seen a strong correlation between the number of classes students attend and their grades; online this translatesto the frequency of logging in and grades. In other words, students who attend class regularly tend to get higher grades than those who don't, and this pattern is verified by test score data. Coming to class will allow you to get a better understanding of the material in the book. While in class, take notes (from lectures, or online discussions, or any material your professor posts online), even if you feel that you don't need to.
Use the Study Guide
It will help you navigate through all the material in the book. The study guide lists the 10 objectives for each unit, and there will be two questions on each objective on each unit test. The study guide provides questions for you to try answering, addressing the textbook sections and concepts within them that we expect you to understand. Use these questions to guide your reading, paying attention to the page numbers listed after each one. Also, try to answer the study questions after reading the section in the book. You will need to know the material well enough to understand it when applied to a fictional scenario; if you find yourself merely reciting definitions without understanding them, you don't know the material well enough.
Use InQuisitive
Specially designed by the textbook publisher, InQuizitive is an online study tool, and we have modified it as much as possible to aid your learning of material that appears on our graded tests. Sure, it's optional, but it is a great study aid. Complete the module assignment in InQuizitive prior to taking your graded test for that module. InQuizitive can be accessed through the testing center class BrightSpace page if you purchased a book with an access code (otherwise it will cost $25).
Ask for Help
There are other things we can do to help students who are trying hard but not getting the kind of grade they want. Ask your professor for helpbefore too many tests go by. We can help, but we can't undo weeks and weeks of poor scores. Also take advantage of MCC tutoring options, which will probably be all online during the pandemic.
And Help Yourself
Study skills are generally universal; what works for one professor's students typically works for another's. Google "study skills" and read through the advice you find (if you have a little time, take a look at this "How-to-Study" video series). Read what we've said about it on the Study Guide; take our advice to heart.
FAQs
FOCUS ON EXAMPLES OF CONCEPTS.
Comparing and contrasting, connecting ideas to examples, and explaining concepts in your own words will make taking exams easier than if you simply read the textbook or memorized definitions. Psychology exams rarely have definition questions. They are all about application and examples!
How to pass Psy 101? ›
FOCUS ON EXAMPLES OF CONCEPTS.
Comparing and contrasting, connecting ideas to examples, and explaining concepts in your own words will make taking exams easier than if you simply read the textbook or memorized definitions. Psychology exams rarely have definition questions. They are all about application and examples!
Is psychology 101 a hard class? ›
Introduction to psychology can be difficult for many reasons, from a lack of exposure to the subject to the sheer scope of the material. Contact your school's psychology and counseling departments to learn about strategies specific to your difficulties in psych. Bailey D. Retooling Psych 101.
What to expect from a psychology 101 class? ›
Course Description
Topics include biological, physiological, and cognitive processes; learning and motivation; life span development; individual differences; behavioral disorders and therapies; social behavior; and applied psychology.
How to pass a psychology course? ›
Keep the following study tips in mind to help you survive, enjoy, and pass psychology:
- Lay a Foundation for the Topic. ...
- Make Connections to Real Experiences. ...
- Personalize Your Class Notes. ...
- Take a Look at Notes Periodically. ...
- Get a Study Buddy or Two. ...
- Review the Information to Remember It. ...
- Get in the Right Mindset.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hardest AP Classes
Based on the most recent AP score data from the College Board, 58.3% of students who take the AP Psychology exam earn a passing score, while 17% earn a perfect score.
Is psych 101 the same as ap psych? ›
Completing an Advanced Placement Psychology course in high school provides a good foundation for college level Psychology classes, but it is not the equivalent of completing Psy 101.
What is the hardest subject in psychology? ›
6 Hardest Courses in Psychology
- Advanced Statistical Methods: The Mathematical Backbone of Psychology. ...
- Neuropsychology: The Brain's Intricacies Unveiled. ...
- Developmental Psychology: Spanning the Human Lifespan. ...
- Psychopathology: The Study of Mental Disorders. ...
- Cognitive Psychology: Delving into Mental Processes.
These higher-level classes will delve into complex theories, require critical thinking, and might involve extensive laboratory work or research components. It's essential to develop good study habits, attend lectures, and actively participate in class discussions to succeed in your psychology courses.
Why take psychology 101? ›
It's a great way to learn more about the human mind and behavior, which can serve you well at work and in life. It can give you a richer understanding of the scientific research process that social scientists use to answer questions about the human mind and behavior.
Psychology majors study the science of human behavior and mental processes. This includes examining the mind, the brain, and human and animal social interactions. The major touches on multiple aspects of the field, such as social, cognitive, abnormal, personality, developmental and clinical psychology.
How to understand psychology? ›
- Psychology Is the Study of the Mind and Behavior.
- Psychology Relies on Scientific Methods.
- Psychologists Take Multiple Perspectives.
- Psychology Has Subfields.
- Psychology Is More Than Mental Health.
- Psychology Is All Around You.
- Psychology Has Many Career Paths.
- Psychologists Make Human Lives Better.
Use flashcards to learn all the psychological concepts
The idea is if you can summarise large amounts of information about topics onto flashcards in a concise way, you should be able to recall the additional details that go with the topic too. A good strategy is to use a combination of chunking and acronyms.
What is the most important factor in successful learning? ›
According to Stephen Chew, in his video series "How to Study," what is the most important factor in successful learning? The time you spend studying.
Is the psychology exam hard? ›
AP Psychology introduces high schoolers to the study of human behavior and mental processes. The College Board reports that over 70% of AP Psych test-takers earn a passing score. Based on test scores, AP Psychology ranks about average in difficulty.
Is psychology a hard class in high school? ›
Compared to other AP courses, AP Psychology is generally considered to be one of the easier AP courses. The content of the course is engaging, and students can easily relate to the topics covered.
How hard is it to pass the AP Psych exam? ›
The College Board reports that over 70% of AP Psych test-takers earn a passing score. Based on test scores, AP Psychology ranks about average in difficulty.
How can I study for AP Psych fast? ›
A good starting block is practicing ten questions a night two months before the exam. Then, ramp up your studying sessions with fifteen a night; before long, you can answer twenty a night. Remember, every 100 questions you practice is the equivalent of having taken one full AP® Psychology multiple choice section.
How do I pass the AP Psychology test? ›
You should approach questions methodically and plan your answers before putting pencil to paper. Carefully analyze the question, thinking through what is being asked, and identify the elements that must be addressed in the response. Each AP Exam asks different types of questions about each subject.
