Kara A. Makara

The Undergraduate Psychology Major: An Examination of Structure and Sequence

Early study of the curriculum focused on the ideal array of experiences that should comprise the psychology major. We developed a standardized coding scheme to identify common curricula and course titles across institutions and current implementation of the curriculum. We compared psychology major programs in 2005 to programs described a decade earlier to evaluate the progress that has been made toward implementing published curriculum design recommendations. These data will aid departments in curriculum development and serve as a benchmark for common curriculum practices at this point in the evolution of the undergraduate psychology major in North America.

Hidden treasure: successful international doctoral students who found and harnessed the hidden curriculum

Abstract This paper draws from an institutionally-funded phenomenological study of international PhD students’ academic acculturation, which focuses on the distinctive strengths, challenges, and hidden opportunities facing this cohort within the context of their transition from one academic culture to another. The first section introduces the theoretical base employed in the study and is then followed by exploring the conceptualisations of the hidden curriculum and its associated concepts: ‘the third space’ and ‘darkness in higher education’. Drawing upon our study findings, the second section illustrates practical exemplars of finding and harnessing the hidden curriculum. Without discounting the wide range of formal and informal institutional support provisions designed to facilitate international PhD students’ acculturation to a new academic setting, our study findings strongly endorse that students themselves have a crucial role to play in their complex transitional journey. Our study also offers a unique insight, i.e. if found, the hidden curriculum is an effective tool not only for international PhD students’ coping and survival but even more importantly, in thriving in new societal and academic contexts.

Longitudinal high school research revealed: using surveys to assess student motivation and social networks

This case describes a longitudinal study of high school students’ academic and social motivation and social networks at school. When working together as a PhD student and advisor, we built a university-school partnership and conducted a student survey project that spanned five years. A portion of the project data was used for a dissertation on students’ social networks and their academic and social motivation. The case study describes the project context and development of the partnership, the research design and procedure, and an overview of the analysis and dissemination of complex data to school staff. Particular attention is paid to the use of social network analysis (SNA) as a methodological tool for assessing social relationships in schools. The longitudinal nature of the study required maintenance of a sustainable relationship with the school, which is discussed throughout. We conclude the case with lessons learned.

College Students' Social Goals and Psychological Adjustment: Mediation via Emotion Regulation

Abstract: University life can be stressful and students may struggle to adjust socially. We examined students’ social achievement goals—their orientations towards their relationships with their peers—as one important factor underlying students’ social and psychological adjustment in college. When investigating the direct and indirect effects of social achievement goals on psychological adjustment (i.e., life satisfaction, depression, stress, and worry), the mediating role of emotion regulation was examined. Data were collected from students attending a university in China (N = 1,242, 35% male). The widely adopted three-factor structure of social achievement goals (i.e., social development goals, social demonstration-approach goals, social demonstration-avoidance goals) was confirmed to fit the data among Chinese college students. The results show the direct and indirect benefits of endorsing a social development goal. Augmented emotion regulation mediated the effect of social development goals. The total effects of a social demonstration-approach goal were weak, but the goal indirectly impaired students’ psychological adjustment via reduced emotion regulation. Endorsing a social demonstration-avoidance goal tended to compromise psychological adjustment and the effects were mediated through reduced emotion regulation. Implications for supporting students’ adjustment to college are discussed.