A new direction for introductory psychology
Each year, more than 1 million students take introductory psychology. It is one of the most popular college courses, but it can be difficult to teach given the breadth of the field of psychology. The new APA book Transforming Introductory Psychology: Expert Advice on Teacher Training, Course Design, and Student Success guides faculty on evidence-based best practices for designing and teaching this important class in four key areas: course design, assessment of student learning goals and outcomes, promotion of student success, and teacher training and development. The recommendations hail from APA’s Introductory Psychology Initiative, which seeks to make introductory psychology a life-changing experience for all students—a way they can grow personally and academically even if they don’t choose to pursue psychology as a major or a career. To learn more about the initiative and order a copy of the book, go to APA’s Introductory Psychology Initiative. For more in-depth information, attend workshops on the Introductory Psychology Initiative at the Society for the Teaching of Psychology Annual Conference on Teaching in Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 14–16, and at the National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology in St. Pete Beach, Florida, Jan. 3–6, 2022.
Catch up on the programs you missed
More than 3,000 presentations from APA 2021 are available to stream on demand through Nov. 15 at APA Conventionopens in new window. Convention registrants are automatically able to view the on-demand content; those who missed the live meeting in August can register for on-demand access prior to Nov. 15.
Psychology, technology, and the future
Learn more about the critical role psychology plays in human-technology interaction at APA’s fourth annual Technology, Mind & Society virtual conference, Nov. 3–5. Keynote speakers will include Alison Gopnik, PhD, of the University of California, Berkeley; Rosemary Luckin, PhD, of University College London; Tsedal Neeley, PhD, of Harvard Business School; and Frank Pasquale, JD, of Brooklyn Law School. Register onlineopens in new window.
Improving care for gender diverse people
APA’s Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity has developed a new resource for psychologists working with transgender, gender nonbinary, and gender diverse patients. “Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessment With Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Adults” provides an overview of key points for therapists to consider when administering or conducting an assessment with transgender, gender nonbinary, or gender diverse adults.
Cast your ballot for APA president
APA members are voting for APA’s 2023 president through Oct. 29. The five candidates are Kirk J. Schneider, PhD; Thema S. Bryant-Davis, PhD; Mary Ann McCabe, PhD, ABPP; Diana L. Prescott, PhD; and Beth N. Rom-Rymer, PhD. Video interviews with each candidate as well as details on their expertise and priorities for APA are posted online. Videos and statements from the candidates for APA’s Board of Directors are also available on that site. Access your ballot on your APA member profile page until Oct. 29.
3 things to do this month
Advance your research & learn something new
- Tune in to Speaking of Psychology. Recent and upcoming guests on APA’s award-winning podcast include Stuart Vyse, PhD, on belief in superstition; John Kounios, PhD, on creative thinking and the brain; Dacher Keltner, PhD, on the psychology of power; Roxane Cohen Silver, PhD, on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and the cascading collective traumas of 2020 and 2021; and Daniel Schacter, PhD, on recent developments that have increased scientists’ understanding of errors in memory. Listen at Apple, Stitcher, or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
- Apply for APA funding. Applications open in October for the APA Minority Fellowship Program’s Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships. The doctoral fellowship is for those pursuing PhDs in clinical, counseling, and school psychology; the postdoctoral fellowship is aimed at early career doctoral recipients interested in developing a career in behavioral health services or policy. APA is also accepting applications for the Services for Transition Age Youth Fellowship for students in terminal master’s programs in psychology who are training to provide mental health services to transition age youth—ages 16 through 25—and their families. Go to MFP .
- Earn CE. APA’s Center for Interprofessional Training and Education is hosting live and on-demand webinars throughout the fall on timely topics such as the impact of military stressors and parental trauma on children (Oct. 7), sleep disorders (Oct. 21), and secondary traumatic stress for health professionals (Nov. 4). APA designed these webinars to be relevant to physicians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists.
How to reach us
Answers to many of your questions may be found on APA’s website; for phone service call (800) 374-2721; for story ideas or comments, contact Editor in Chief Trent Spiner.