Exp Psych

[yikes]

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hi,
i notice a lot of schools require experimental psych as an entrance requirement. i'm not exactly sure what that means. my intro psych class was called "introduction to experimental psychology" does that mean it counts as an experimental psych class? or would my thesis project be an experimental psych class? i realize i may need to email schools about this, but i thought i'd get some feedback here first.
thanks.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I believe Intro to Psych and Experimental Psych are two diff classes, but I could be wrong. Have you taken Abnormal Psych? That seems to be a req. and/or highly represented. Same with stats, etc.

-t

 

[Ollie123]

I'd email the school. My undergrad doesn't even OFFER anything that I think would qualify as "Experimental psych".

Experimental is kind of am umbrella term that encompasses pretty much ALL non-clinical psychology (and even then there is "Experimental psychopathology). My impression is that as long as you have the basics covered (101, stats, methods, abnormal) it won't pose too much of a problem at most schools. I'd hazard a guess experimental psych might = research methods or equivalent, but I really can't be sure. Still definitely worth looking into though - let us know what you find!

 

[ny1020]

hi,
i notice a lot of schools require experimental psych as an entrance requirement. i'm not exactly sure what that means. my intro psych class was called "introduction to experimental psychology" does that mean it counts as an experimental psych class? or would my thesis project be an experimental psych class? i realize i may need to email schools about this, but i thought i'd get some feedback here first.
thanks.

My experimental psych class was about different research designs: observational v. experimental, ind. v dependent variables, writing lab reports using APA format...do any classes at your school have that description in your course catalog?

 

[yikes]

thanks for the replies. i've emailed my undergrad school to see if they can help sort this out. i want to exhaust all my option before i email the schools. i'm so afraid of looking stupid!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I have no idea what my Experimental Psych entailed, it was too long ago. 🙁

-t

 

[timecoloured]

I doubt your intro class would count. My experimental psych class was similar to ny1020's. Experimental design, and we had to come up with an original experiment, run it, and write a substantial paper. We didn't have to do any serious statistics, though.

The school I'm taking a couple classes at now doesn't have anything called "experimental psych" but the major is much more serious and science heavy than my school's was: a year of math including calc, a year of hard sciences, a lab, and they call the psych degree a BA or BS in experimental psychology, so I'm sure their version of the major is considered sufficient for grad schools. The psych advising office at your school should be able to help you figure out what their equivalent is. Did you take any labs or something called "research methods"?

 

[amy203]

thanks for the replies. i've emailed my undergrad school to see if they can help sort this out. i want to exhaust all my option before i email the schools. i'm so afraid of looking stupid!

Don't be afraid to email the graduate secretaries! I know I used to worry they would record every phone conversation/email and put it in my application file with a note reading, "This girl is a *****. DENIED!" In actuality, I think they would appreciate getting the question now rather than later, and it's not like the addmissions comittee is going to know about it (graduate offices get so many emails, I really doubt they keep track!). Plus, it's not a dumb question!

 

[psychwanabe]

I agree with the others about the Intro class - I can't imagine that's what they're looking for. Mine was called "Research Methods" and was a six hour class that was half lab and half lecture and all about research design, running experiments, and writing. It was a #$%@ of a class, and was the one you had to get through with a C or better to stay in the department.

 

[PsychED00]

My Experimental Psych class was basically an operant conditioning class! We trained rats in a lab (in a skinner box). Extinction/ratio/interval training, spontaneous recovery.. you know all that exciting LEARNING stuff!!