Apples & oranges. Math & physics are really hard because they contain complex concepts that are difficult to grasp. Statistics, for example is hard because students have trouble grasping basic concepts such as binomial probability, variance, and analyzing that variance. Calculus is hard because its concepts are difficult to grasp. The CONCEPTS in an intro level math or physics course are harder to gasp. But once you "get" them, you'll do fine. But if you don't get them, you're dead meat. (I remember suffering through calculus and feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness. I studied, I got tutored, but I just couldn't get it. (I received a B in that class but only because my 56% average was the 2nd highest in the class!! I never did "get it." ) In contrast, the AMOUNT of information one must learn in an intro psychology course is considerably greater than the amount of information in a math or physics course. But the concepts in intro psychology are easier and if you don't "get it" on the first exam, more study time will almost always help. Math and physics tend to be more hierarchical. If you don't get the first few chapters, you're doomed. Not so much with psychology. Is the topic of psychology harder than the topic of physics? Absolutely not. Is a course in intro psych harder than a course in intro physics? The answer is "yes" if you "get" physics because intro psych will require more study time. The answer is "no" if you don't "get" the basics concepts of math & physics because more grunt work (i.e., study time") won't necessarily help. Edward I. Pollak, Ph.D. Department of Psychology West Chester University of Pennsylvania http://home.comcast.net/~epollak ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Husband, father, grandfather, biopsychologist, bluegrass fiddler and herpetoculturist...... in approximate order of importance. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Subject: Why psychology is hard From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
According to now-identified Patrick Cabe, "Because the course is "introductory," some students imagine that Intro Psych ought to be a relatively easy course. Yet many students are shocked to discover that it is one of the most difficult courses they take..." I demur. As Barbie has perceptively noted, math is hard. Also, physics is hard. But psychology, not so much. I speak from first-hand experience, having earned an undergraduate degree in physics at the cost of considerable pain, and then entered graduate school in psychology, where the pain was less. --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
