Transcript Reaching New Audiences

Reaching New Audiences:
Giving Psychology Away to
a Wide Audience
Diane L. Finley, Ph.D.
Prince George’s Community College
American Psychological Association
Convention
August 18-21, 2005
Washington DC
Why Give Psychology Away
• APA Presidential Theme
• Community College Mission
• Correct Misconceptions
Presidential Theme
• Past President Philip Zimbardo made this his
presidential theme.
• Robert Sternberg and Ronald Levant have
continued this emphasis
• Psychology Matters website
http://www.psychologymatters.org/
• Disaster Response Network
Community College Mission
• Prince George's Community College, an accessible, communitybased, 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
George’s 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 Children’s
Developmental Clinic.
Correct Misconceptions
• Psychology has a history of sharing its
knowledge with the public
• Joseph Jastrow – APA’s fisrt treasurer in 1892 created an exhibit for the Chicago’s World Fair.
• William James – APA’s third president – worked
with public school teachers.
• In the 1970’s APA started Psychology Today, a
popular press magazine to inform the public
about the discipline.
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
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
The Accessible Webpage
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
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
The Academy
What Did This Accomplish
• Showed psychology in
a positive light;
corrected
misconceptions
• Shared some of
psychology’s theories
and techniques
• Enabled women to
make positive changes
• Raised awareness
about scientific literacy
• For information, contact:
Dr. Diane Finley
Prince George’s Community College
301 Largo Road
Largo MD 20774
301-322-0869
[email protected]