Module 4: Study Guide

 

Module Introduction Each module begins with an observation to help you tackle the module in the textbook more successfully. These intrductions are not summaries, but thoughts about how to orient yourself toward understanding what you are reading in the textbook. Effective Student Tip Here you will find a specific tip on how to become a more effective student. Some Effective Student Tips tell you how to study better, but most are general ideas about the psychology of effectiveness. Key Terms Rod Plotnik has carefully selected the words or phrases (called Key Terms) he believes are most important for beginning psychology students to learn. He puts each Key Term in boldface type in the text and provides a brief, clear definition of the term. These terms are also collected in a Glossary at the end of the textbook. If you did nothing but memorize the Key Terms, you would pass most psychology exams and have a pretty decent command of the vocabulary of the discipline. Of course, it wouldn't be much fun that way, and you need the story to understand psychology in any depth. Still, it can't be stressed enough the importance of learning the basic vocabulary. To help you focus on these Key Terms, they have been placed (in aphabetical order) in the Study Guide right before the Outline of the module. Also, each Key Term is included in the Outline and placed in boldface type so you won't miss it. Outline Each module in the Study Guide includes a topic outline of the module in the text. The Outlines stick very close to Rod Plotnik's organization in the textbook. Working with the Outline will help you read and master the textbook. There is one thing wrong with the Outlines: someone else wrote them instead of you. Much of the benefit of an outline comes from the process of building it. Therefore, your job is to turn each Outline into your own product by writing all over it and revising it as you study. Make each Outline a personal set of notes that will help you prepare for your tests. If you add your own notes and details to the Outlines, you will have an excellent summary of each module. Notice that throughout the Outlines are scattered questions for you tho think about and answer. Why not write your answers right on the Outline? For Psych Majors Only... In some modules you will find a text box or a brief quiz titled "For Psych Majors Only...." The purpose of these exercises is to go a bit beyond what your course will require. I hope psychology majors will be interested. As you may have guessed, I won't mind a bit if an English major or chemistry major tries these materials! Language Workout This section is intended not only for non-native speakers, but also for all students who wish to strengthen their skills with the English language. I hope every user of the Study Guide will try the Language Workout materials. Since English is such a powerful and complicated language, anyone who reads these pages will gain greater insight into the intricacies of our language. Even if you are quie skilled in English, I can assure you that going through these special language exercises not only will improve your skills, but will also deepen your understanding of how the English language works. Read the special introduction (see page 5 of the Study Guide) to help you make the best use of these exercises. Please read it. This material is too good to miss! Practice Assessments and Answers In each module there are several sets of questions that will help you review and give you an idea of how well you are studying. These self-tests are the most immediate and practical part of this Study Guide. Be SURE to use them. After marking your choices in the Study Guide, check your performance with the "Answers" page at the end of each module. No peeking!!! The Big Picture This quiz is intended to test your overall understanding of the importance of the module. It presents you with five (well, four, really, as you will see!) general summary statements. Which statement best expresses the larger significance of the module? Circle the letter of your choice. True-False Ten true-false questions are intended to indicate how well you understand the main ideas in the module. Flashcards 1 and Flashcards 2 Two sets of ten matching questions each test your recall of the more important Key Terms in the module. The definitions in the textbook have been quoted as closely as possible, so your results will be a good check on how well you know them. These questions are called "Flashcards" in the hope that you will study and test yourself on the Key Terms more than once. Multiple-Choice Fifteen multiple-choice questions explore the important facts, concepts, and theories presented in the module. The multiple-choice questions are especially important because many of you will be taking multiple-choice exams in the course. In fact, some of these same questions will be included in the test bank from which your exams are constructed. Special Quizzes In several modules, you will find a special quiz. Some of these quizzes are serious, some not so serious. I hope you enjoy them.

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