Connecting social psychology to the experience of others through a nonfiction book analysis: New wine in an old bottle

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Published: May 31, 2013
Keywords:
active learning, application, book review, choice, psychology

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Gregory S Preuss
Washburn University
D. Ryan Schurtz
Stevenson University
Caitlin Powell
Georgia College
David J. Y. Combs
United States Navy
Richard H Smith
University of Kentucky

Abstract

This article evaluates a writing assignment in which students read a non-fiction book that they chose from a list provided by their instructor, identified examples of social psychological phenomena, and fully explained how those examples fit social psychology concepts. This novel twist on a traditional assignment yielded surprisingly robust benefits. Across four samples from two universities and two instructors, students indicated that the assignment furthered their learning beyond other aspects of the course by helping them apply social psychology to “real life” situations that were beyond their own particular experiences. The results suggested that allowing students to choose the book that they would read promoted enjoyment of the assignment. Informal discussion with students, including those who rarely read books for pleasure, indicated that many students took pride in reading a book of their own choosing that they actually enjoyed. Almost all students recommended the continued use of the assignment for future courses. Variations on the assignment that could be utilized by instructors in other psychology courses and other academic disciplines are discussed.

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How to Cite
Preuss, G. S., Schurtz, D. R., Powell, C., Combs, D. J. Y., & Smith, R. H. (2013). Connecting social psychology to the experience of others through a nonfiction book analysis: New wine in an old bottle. Journal of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 13(2), 72–83. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/josotl/article/view/3571
Issue
Volume 13, Number 2
Section
Articles
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Author Biographies

D. Ryan Schurtz, Stevenson University

Stevenson University

Department of Psychology.

1525 Greenspring Valley Rd.

Stevenson MD 21153-0641

Caitlin Powell, Georgia College

Georgia College

Department of Psychology

CBx 90

Milledgeville, GA 30161

Richard H Smith, University of Kentucky

University of Kentucky

Department of Psychology

123 Kastle Hall

Lexington, KY 40506-0044

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