Beyond WEIRD:

Reconceptualizing the Introduction to Psychology Course

Dr. Amy Coren | Pasadena City College

2023 EPIC Symposium: Integrating Global Topics into Community College Curricula

WEIRD

WEIRD

Western

Industrialized

Democratic

Educated

Rich

People from WEIRD countries comprise

People from WEIRD countries comprise

~12% of the world’s population

People from WEIRD countries comprise

~12% of the world’s population

~96% of research subjects in psychology

“human nature” = a very small, specific, and culturally homogeneous population

Going beyond WEIRD

Internationalization of psychology research through collaborative efforts.

• The Psychological Science Accelerator, the Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science (SIPS)
• The Institute for Globally Distributed Open Research and Education (IGDORE)
• Monk Prayogshala Research Institution

Going beyond WEIRD

Increased awareness of the importance of the international or “global” perspective for students.

“[H]aving a global perspective is becoming a vital characteristic of informed citizens, productive employees, and members of diverse communities.” – American Psychological Association

Going beyond WEIRD

Yet most traditional pedagogical resources and course materials continue lag behind

Increased awareness of the importance of the international or “global” perspective for students.

“[H]aving a global perspective is becoming a vital characteristic of informed citizens, productive employees, and members of diverse communities.” – American Psychological Association

An EPIC Undertaking

Reconceptualizing the Curriculum

Re-thinking Intro to Psychology

Internationalizing the ID

Internationalize the introduction to psychology curriculum through:

• Presentation other worldviews
• Introduction of different cultural frameworks
• Exposure to non-WEIRD research
• Inclusion of emerging concepts

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Module Creation

12 Modules covering the major concepts in psychology

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Designed with principles of internationalization in mind

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Specific modules devoted to emerging concepts

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Assignments designed to incorporate cultural awareness/self-awareness

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Transcending Borders: Emerging Psychology Concepts

Human behavior is at the heart of many of the biggest issues with which we grapple: climate change, the future of work, and health and well-being, to name a few.

3 Modules designed to highlight emerging psychological concepts that have a global impact.

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Collaborations

Climate Change and Eco-grief x Mark Ruzon

Creating a global mindset x Fran Farazdaghi

Thank You!

Thank You!