Reaching New Audiences: Giving Psychology Away to a Wide Audience

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Reaching New AudiencesGiving Psychology Away to
a Wide Audience

• Diane L. Finley, Ph.D.Prince Georges Community
  CollegeAmerican Psychological Association
  ConventionAugust 18-21, 2005Washington DC

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Why Give Psychology Away

• APA Presidential Theme
• Community College Mission
• Correct Misconceptions

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Presidential Theme

• Past President Philip Zimbardo made this his
  presidential theme.
• Robert Sternberg and Ronald Levant have continued
  this emphasis
• Psychology Matters websitehttp//www.psychologyma
  tters.org/
• Disaster Response Network

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Community College Mission

• Prince George's Community College, an accessible,
  community-based, culturally diverse college,
  meets the educational, employment, and enrichment
  needs of the community it serves through high
  quality programs for university transfer, general
  education, workforce development, cultural
  enhancement, and continuing education. (Mission)
• Prince George's Community College will excel as a
  nationally recognized, intellectually vibrant
  institution which is accessible,
  community-centered, technologically advanced, and
  responsive to the educational needs of a richly
  diverse population and workforce. (Vision)
• In keeping with its mission to serve the
  community, Prince Georges Community College is
  home to a number of special programs that address
  the needs and interests of county residents.
  These include the Book Bridge Project, the Center
  for Business and Industry Training and the
  Childrens Developmental Clinic.

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Correct Misconceptions

• Psychology has a history of sharing its knowledge
  with the public
• Joseph Jastrow APAs fisrt treasurer in 1892 -
  created an exhibit for the Chicagos World Fair.
• William James APAs third president worked
  with public school teachers.
• In the 1970s APA started Psychology Today, a
  popular press magazine to inform the public about
  the discipline.

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Ways to Give Psychology Away

• There are many ways to give psychology away.
• Some are
• Participating in media interviews (NaKids
  Fox TC)
• Guest lecturing in high schools, sharing
  resources
• The Accessible Webpage
• The Academy for Women

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An Accessible Webpage

• Created in 2002 under a Title III grant
• Created for General Psychology students
• Brings together information on writing APA
  papers, careers in psychology, common topics in
  psychology and research opportunities
• It is a one-stop shop.
• In 2003, the webpage was redesigned to make it
  accessible under the Americans with Disabilities
  Act

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The Accessible Webpage
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What Did This Accomplish?

• Gave psychology instructors at PGCC (and other
  schools) easy access to information.
• Eliminated having to photocopy and repeat
  information each term.
• Easy to update
• Gives the College wider visibility

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The Academy for Women

• 12 week program for women 16 and over
• In partnership with local trainer
• Goal is to foster a healthy lifestyle and
  introduce new ways of incorporating exercise
• Includes mini-lectures on goal setting,
  motivation, information literacy as well as group
  support

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The Academy
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What Did This Accomplish

• Showed psychology in a positive light corrected
  misconceptions
• Shared some of psychologys theories and
  techniques
• Enabled women to make positive changes
• Raised awareness about scientific literacy

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• For information, contactDr. Diane Finley
• Prince Georges Community College
• 301 Largo Road
• Largo MD 20774
• 301-322-0869
• dfinley_at_pgcc.edu