A Computer-Based Undergraduate Psychology Laboratory

六台微型计算机作为心理学系新学生实验室设备的实验室控制设备，至少在三个方面增强和促进了斯基德莫尔学院的教学能力。首先，以前可以在实验心理学实验室进行的实验项目和模拟仅限于那些尽量减少外围设备的使用，持续时间不超过20分钟的项目和模拟。学生们对心理学家所研究的问题有一种扭曲的看法，结果，他们对心理学家所关注的理论问题的范围也有一种扭曲的看法。因此，这个新的实验室设施对于丰富本实验课程和其他高级课程（例如，感知，认知）也很重要。在过去的五年中，越来越多的学生从事独立研究和高级论文。这个设施对他们的研究工作作出了重要的贡献。最后，大量学生将能够直接参与实验室模拟，而不是通过间接观察另一个人进行模拟。少量的计算设备及其附带的仪器接口将对高年级学生在众多课程和独立学习中的实验室工作质量产生重大影响。

Six microcomputers equipped as laboratory controlling devices for a new student laboratory facility in the Psychology Department are enhancing and facilitating Skidmore College's instructional capabilities in at least three ways. First, the kind of lab projects and simulations previously possible to conduct in the experimental psychology lab were limited to those that minimized the use of peripheral devices and that lasted for 20 minutes or less. Students received a somewhat distorted view of the kinds of questions psychologists address, and, as a consequence, a distorted view of the range of theoretical issues of concern to psychologists. This new lab facility, therefore, is important for the enrichment of this experimental laboratory course and other advanced courses (e.g., perception, cognition) as well. Over the past 5 years an increasing number of students have engaged in independent research and senior theses. This facility contributes in important ways to the development of their research efforts. Finally, a large number of students will be able to participate in laboratory simulations directly, rather than by indirectly observing another person conduct the simulations. A modest amount of computing equipment with its attendant instrumental interfacing will have a large impact upon the quality of laboratory work available to upper division students in numerous classes and in independent study.