Dunn & Halonen
The Psychology
Major’s Companion
Chapter 8: Building Distinction Through
High-Impact Practices
Don’t say you don’t have enough time.
You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.
~ H. Jackson Brown Jr., Life’s Little Instruction Book
Chapter Objectives
Describe how concepts and principles of psychology apply to assorted work projects.
Explain how leadership skills develop through completing projects.
Suggest strategies to engage potential writers of recommendation letters.
Describe the value of developing a psychology portfolio.
Highlight the value of making a commitment to improve the lives of others.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Evaluate what kinds of activities can develop leadership skills.
Apply criteria to judge the quality of performance.
Identify values that underlie decisions about how to serve others.
Recognize how positive personal values optimize success.
Employment Statistics
Nearly half of full-time (traditional-aged) students work while pursuing a degree.
One out of 10 full-time students works at least 35 hours per week.
Successful Undergraduates
Blend academic schedules, extracurriculars, meaningful social and family lives, and work obligations.
Tend to experience high-impact practices (HIPs) both in the first year and the final year that promote retention and graduation.
Make Strategic Decisions
Your Number-One Priority:
Create an academic track record that will maximize your access to opportunities after graduation.
Choose activities closely linked to your major.
Recognize that time-intensive commitments (e.g., study abroad, serving as a club officer) can adversely affect success.
Assess Your Leadership Personal Attributes
More extroverted than introverted?
Energetic?
Self-disciplined?
Reliable?
Punctual?
Ethical?
Authoritative?
Resilient?
Visionary?
Positive in outlook?
Assess Your Leadership Problem-Solving Skills (1 of 2)
Do you notice problems that need to be fixed before others do?
Do you make sure you understand situations thoroughly before taking action?
Are you willing to do extra work in background research and planning?
Can you take immediate action once you have formulated a plan?
Do you strive to identify the consequences of the plans you implement?
Assess Your Leadership Problem-Solving Skills (2 of 2)
Do you enjoy change?
Can you take calculated risks?
Do you show courage under pressure?
Can you take responsibility when you make errors and then correct those mistakes?
Assess Your Leadership Team Skills (1 of 2)
Are you oriented toward serving the needs of others?
Can you relate to and appreciate a wide variety of people?
Do you make a point to include others’ ideas in your plans?
Can you persuade others to take action?
Do you build and maintain effective collaborations?
Assess Your Leadership Team Skills (2 of 2)
Do you encourage team members to work from their strengths?
Can you manage conflict?
Do you have strategies for working with difficult people?
Do you recognize and celebrate achievements?
Can you share the glory that follows an achievement?
High-Impact Practices Organizing Study Groups
This strategy has great potential for direct impact on academic success.
Specific Strategies
Each group member:
Predicts and explains five ideas that are test-worthy.
Writes a test question on a challenging concept.
Contributes to a summary page or concept map.
High-Impact Practices Undergraduate Teaching Assistants
FORMATS
Paid position
Volunteer
Directed study
ASSOCIATED TASKS
Grading low-level assignments
Running Scantron forms
Developing ideas for active learning
Providing feedback to the professor
Managing study groups
High-Impact Practices Honors Program
ADVANTAGES
Smaller class sizes
Early course registration
Strong social program
Vibrant teaching faculty
Greater persistence to graduation
Honors designation at graduation
CONSIDERATIONS
Heightened performance expectations
Labor intensive
High-Impact Practices Psychology Learning Communities
Students are organized to study and possibly live together to pursue common interests.
Blocked classes preserve space for learning community cohorts.
Outcomes include higher student satisfaction, persistence to graduation, enhanced student involvement, and higher GPAs.
High-Impact Practices Psychology Study Abroad
CONSIDERATIONS
Expensive, but scholarships may reduce cost
Unless language immersion, most programs instructed in English
Arrangements can be made through international office on campus or Google “psychology study abroad”
IMPACTS
Transformative due to learning to navigate outside comfort zone
Increases traits of openness and agreeableness
High-Impact Practices Undergraduate Research
WHAT YOU DO
Recruit participants
Manage data collection
Assist in analysis
Present results
WHAT YOU LEARN
The skill sets of the scientist:
Critical thinking
Evaluating relevant literature
Communication
Teamwork
High-Impact Practices Experiential Learning
TYPES
Volunteering
Service learning
Internships
Field studies
PSYCHOLOGY EXAMPLES
Mental health aide
Habitat for Humanity
Research assistant
Classroom aide
High-Impact Practices Psychology Interest Groups
HONORARY ORGANIZATIONS
PSI CHI: national program honoring excellence in 4-year programs
PSI BETA: national program honoring excellence in 2-year programs
INTEREST ORGANIZATIONS
PSYCHOLOGY CLUBS: organizations that offer presentations and career preparation to psychology majors
High-Impact Practices On-Campus Employment
TIP: If you need to work, on-campus employment offers serious advantages.
Employers are sensitive to high-stress periods during the academic term.
Work-study experience can favorably influence financial aid.
During low-activity periods, you may be able to study on the job without apology.
High-Impact Practices Professional Conventions
TYPES
Undergraduate research conferences (state, regional, national)
Regional psychology associations (e.g., Southeastern Psychological Association)
National psychology conventions (e.g., APA, APS)
FEATURES
Keynote addresses by prominent psychologists
Presentation opportunities by undergraduates
Networking
Graduate school exploration
High-Impact Practices Sample Criteria for Poster Presentations
Content organization
Scholarly presentation
Scholarly knowledge
Clarity and accuracy of information
References
Aesthetics
High-Impact Practices Mentor Relationships
Student mentors can help you select classes and extracurricular activities.
Faculty and off-campus mentors can assist you in navigating future career paths.
High-Impact Practices Summer Opportunities
Employment opportunities, summer research fellowships, and volunteer experiences can all build leadership skills and enhance your résumé.
Conclusions
Thinking strategically about how to engage in high-impact practices will produce the greatest benefits both short term and long term.
Discussion Questions (1 of 2)
What would be your ideal on-campus job?
What kind of research team would be most attractive to you? What kind of research team would you want to avoid?
How would you manage the cost of attending a student research conference?
What style of mentor would best suit your needs for planning for your future?
Discussion Questions (2 of 2)
What would be your ideal on-campus job?
What kind of research team would be most attractive to you? What kind of research team would you want to avoid?
How would you manage the cost of attending a student research conference?
What style of mentor would best suit your needs for planning for your future?
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