Posted: October 29th, 2022

Dunn & Halonen The Psychology Major’s Companion

Dunn & Halonen The Psychology Major’s Companion

Chapter 1: Charting Your Course in Psychology and College

If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up somewhere else. ~Yogi Berra

Chapter Objectives

Communicate the typical goals and aspirations of college students.

Describe the concept of psychological literacy.

Introduce the structure of the Companion.

Student Learning Outcomes

At the end of the chapter, students should be able to

Describe the personal value of attending college.

Articulate the characteristics of psychological literacy.

Speculate about the impact of obtaining a college education.

Intended Companions

Intro psych students

Brand new majors

Transfer students

Graduates heading into the workforce

Graduates planning on professional or graduate school

Nontraditional students

The Nature of the College Experience (1 of 2)

College is a rite of passage.

College is an opportunity to broaden personal horizons.

Education happens inside and outside the classroom.

The Nature of the College Experience (2 of 2)

Community or 2-year colleges offer 2-year or associate degrees.

Colleges and universities offer 4-year or baccalaureate degrees.

Today’s Students: Why Attend College?*

Get better jobs

General education

Become cultured

Higher salaries

Pursue interests

Career training

Prep for graduate or professional school

Please the family

*From Eagan et al., 2017 survey of incoming 2016 first year students

Self-Perceptions of Personal Strengths

Seeing the world from others’ perspective

Tolerating those who believe differently

Being open to being challenged

Discussing/negotiating controversial issues

Working cooperatively with diverse people

Using critical thinking

Practicing time management

Do these self-perceptions apply to you?

Goals for Completing: Which are essential or very important?

MOST IMPORTANT

Being financially “well off” (82%)

Becoming an authority (60%)

Gaining recognition from peers (58%)

Helping others in need (77%)

LESS IMPORTANT

Developing a meaningful life philosophy (only 47%)

Satisfaction Ratings of College Experience

After 1 year

75%

At graduation

81%

Psychology Majors?

Fall 2016: 4.5% of first-year students intended to be psychology majors.

In 2014–15

118,000 received baccalaureate degrees. Only a small percentage of these students later pursued a graduate degree in psychology.

1.7 to 2 million registered for intro psych.

College and Cost

56% of incoming students in 2016 reported concerns about being able to pay for their degrees.

13% claimed it was a major worry.

2017 graduates carried an average debt load of over $37,000.

Best to think of college cost as an investment in your future…

College Graduates

Graduates earn 98% more per hour (on average) than nondegree workers.

Skipping college costs average workers about half a million dollars across their career.

Making the Most of College

Participate in cocurricular activities

Establish balance between studies and downtime

Eat healthfully

Get regular exercise

Join a club or campus organization

Volunteer

Psychological Literacy

An undergraduate degree in psychology promotes outcomes that are valuable in the future.

Psychologically literate students develop skills, values, and outlooks that enable them to use their knowledge of psychology in both personal and professional ways.

Characteristics of Psychologically Literate Students (1 of 2)

Are creative, amiable, and skeptical problem solvers

Appreciate and respect diversity

Possess vocabulary of psychology terms and concepts

Are reflective thinkers

Characteristics of Psychologically Literate Students (2 of 2)

Are savvy about information and technology

Apply psychology to personal, work, and community issues

Act ethically, not out of self-interest

Communicate effectively using different methods for different audiences

Discussion Junction

Question 1:

How well do your personal characteristics fit with those of the psychologically literate individual?

Question 2:

How do you know you aren’t being victimized by the Dunning-Kruger effect (the tendency for individuals to overestimate their level of competence)?

Elements of the Companion

Topical discussions that will help you make good decisions during and after your major

Self-assessment opportunities in features called Measuring Up and Reality Check

Major success profiles of former psychology majors doing fascinating things with their degrees

Authentic assessments that will sharpen your skills and improve your retention of key concepts

Conclusions

Majoring in psychology provides an array of skills and habits of mind that serve students well in their careers and personal lives.

A college degree is still a privilege: Only 32% of American adults have one.

Discussion Questions

What do you hope to gain from a college education? Why?

At this point in time, what interests you about psychology? Why?

Do you know psychology majors? What do they like about their studies?

What extracurricular activities interest you?

What would you be doing if you were not in college?

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