The goal of these Psych-in-Action assignments (one for each of the four units of the course) is for you to find and explain examples of psychological principles in action in everyday life. Your illustrations of psychological principles in everyday action can come from a wide variety of sources: personal experience, newspaper or magazine article, art work, literary work (story, essay, poem), song lyrics, passages from plays or movies or TV episodes. If you have a question about whether some other source for an illustration of psychology in action would be acceptable, e-mail Prof. Best about your alternate suggestion at least 5 days in advance of a deadline (see syllabus for deadlines).

The full reference for your illustration must be included on a separate cover sheet, (i.e., the cover sheet is the first page), which must also include your name and ID code and the assignment date. Your cover sheet should also include your description of the psychological principle or concept involved in your illustration, and your explanation of how the illustration actually displays that principle/concept. The cover sheet, including your explanation, should be no longer than 1 page, single-spaced. In other words, be clear but concise. The cover sheet must be typed.

literary works/plays -- title, author, publisher, date(s) of publication or presentation

movies -- title, director, studio where produced, date of issue

TV episodes -- show title, episode title & date of production

songs -- composer & lyricist, publisher/recording co., album/CD title, performer

art -- artist, title, year of the artwork, and the location where you obtained the copy you have attached as your illustration

personal experience -- year, your age at the time, relevant context information (e.g., your relationship to the other people involved).

newspaper/magazine articles/advertisements -- hard-copy (not web) publication date, volume, issue # (if there is one), page #s

NOTE that the illustration must be on a topic covered in the textbook chapters or lectures that go with the unit of the course for which the Psychology-in-Action assignment is due.

The actual illustration itself must be on a separate page, and should be stapled (not paper-clipped) to the cover sheet (i.e., the illustration is the second page). The illustration itself should be confined to a single page, if possible (and no more than 2 pages at maximum). For newspaper and magazine articles and for passages from plays or other literary works, you may have to select an exerpt or set of exerpts for your hand-in illustration, to keep the length down to 1 (or at most, 2) pages of illustration. If the illustration you are explaining is on a page with several other, irrelevant articles/pictures/etc., then cut your specific illustration out -- hand in only the relevant article/picture and discard the irrelevant material. If the illustration itself is smaller than a standard-size page (8.5 x 11 inches), then glue or tape the illustration to a sheet of regular paper.

For personal experience illustrations, or for illustrations based on TV episodes or movie passages, you must write a clear, concise description of the relevant portion(s) of the experience/episode/passage, limiting it to one page . It must be typed, single-spaced. Print your name on the back of the illustration, but do not write or make marks on the front.

For newspaper and magazine articles or exerpts from books, etc.,

Illustrations will be graded, and are worth 10 points each. To receive a good grade for your illustration, follow these guidelines and choose a good, creative, and appropriate example of the psychological principle/concept you are illustrating, give a clear and concise description of the principle/concept, and a correct explanation of why it illustrates that principle. Excellent illustrations (i.e., examples that creatively and accurately illustrate a psychological principle, that are clearly and correctly described and explained on your cover page) will receive an A and the full 10 points. The very best illustrations will be shared with the class, with your individual permission.

Remember:
1) The cover sheet must include your name, the date, the reference information for your illustration.

2) The cover sheet must also include your clear but concise description of the psychological principle/concept involved and why your example illustrates it.

3) Attach the illustration itself on a separate page, without writing or marking the front directly (but do print your name on the back of it).