Psychology Dept. Goals and Performance Criteria



Goal A. Dissemination of content.

To give students a broad overview of the various areas in the field of Psychology, and the theories and facts that are generally considered to be most important.

Performance criteria:
 

1. Students will demonstrate that they understand the most important theories and studies in at least three of the following sub-disciplines of psychology: physiological, cognitive, learning, perception, personality, abnormal, developmental, social.

2. Students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of at least one topic within psychology.
 
 

 Goal B. Understanding of scientific method.

Students should understand the difference between science and pseudo-science. They should be able to critique the validity of scientific reports. In addition, majors should be able to design, carry out, and analyze a psychology study at a level appropriate for an undergraduate.

Performance criteria:
 

1. Students will demonstrate that they are familiar with the different types of experimental design and the conditions under which each should be used.

2. Students will demonstrate that they can understand and objectively critique research that has been reported by others.

3. Students will demonstrate that they are able to design a psychological research study at a level appropriate for an undergraduate. In designing the study they will choose appropriate methods, and control for confounding variables.

4. Students will demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to calculate by hand and by computer, various descriptive and inferential statistics.

5. Students will demonstrate an appreciation for the use of inductive and deductive reasoning to draw valid conclusions in the interpretation of research results.
 
 
 

 Goal C. Enhancement of communication skills.

To improve students’ ability to effectively communicate what they know to others.

Performance criteria:

writing
 

1. Students will write using correct English spelling and grammar.

2. Students will demonstrate that they can write using the correct format of APA style.

3. Students will write papers that are well-organized at the level of the sentence, paragraph, and entire paper.

4. Students will cite other authors properly.

5. Students will write papers that exhibit originality and critical thinking.
 
 

 oral (note: because the oral presentation is a new requirement, we are still in the process of implementing the performance criteria).
  1. Students will use correct English grammar when they speak.

2. Students will give oral presentations that are well-organized.

3. Students will give oral presentations that use language and style that is appropriate for their audience.
 
 
 
 

 Goal D. Computer literacy. To enhance computer skills, and encourage the use of computers for academic purposes.

University-wide performance criteria
 

1. Students will use University supported word processing software to produce well-formatted written assignments.

2. Students will use e-mail software to communicate with others. They will demonstrate the ability to attach files in multiple formats and to detach these files and utilize them when received.

3. Students will utilize NEIU on-line public access catalogs to search the library’s holdings and utilize Psych. Info. and other on-line databases to conduct research.

4. Students will search the internet and world wide web for resources to support inquiry in Psychology.

5. Students will demonstrate the ability to use a computer to copy, move, delete, and find files.
 
 

 Psych. Dept. additional performance criteria
 
  6. Students will demonstrate that they are able to enter data, conduct statistical analyses, graph results, and interpret output using SPSS for Windows.