Now having finished Psych 100B, the class known to be the folly of us Psych / Psychobio / CogSci majors, I want to write an honest review because the class is surrounded with many rumors that even Firstenberg addressed at the beginning of the quarter.

First off, Firstenberg herself is an amazing professor. I'm serious when I say that she is an OG, and honestly she did her best to make lectures entertaining and understandable. Never went to her office hours because they conflicted with my other classes, but I imagine she's quite helpful and approachable. I came in thinking that it was because of the professor that it was difficult - totally not the case. The class is structured in a way to make things difficult - you'll see when you see the grading scheme. The lecture is one day a week for two hours, so usually there was a 10 minute break after the first half of class. People asked questions during that time, so when we reconvened, she clarified those questions and made sure the material she just taught made sense. She also had the Master TAs write out notes for lectures, which were SUPER helpful (they really helped me consolidate the information Firstenberg discussed in class, and I am super grateful for them). Since y'all probably will have taken Psych 100A before this class, the material isn't too abstract and unfamiliar. Just stay on top of the material and make sure you understand differences between vocabulary terms and differences in applying which to what situation.

Tests consisted of 40 MC usually (I think), and they were a bunch of experimental scenarios or situations that she asked you questions about (for example, what is the independent variable?) Sounds straightforward. What trips people up is that she has options that are like A is this, B is this, C is this, A and B, B and C, A and C (someone posted a meme about this on the UCLA memes page...there you can see what I mean). SO KNOW YOUR STUFF. 2 or 3 questions were always from the textbook. I skimmed the textbook, but I still got them wrong (but skimming should be sufficient if you're cramped with time). The rest of questions were from lecture. She provides one practice exam for each "midterm" and has the Master TAs hold review sessions before each "midterm," so super helpful. These are about 60% of your entire grade I think, so take them seriously.

Labs really depend on your TA. This is the unfortunate part. Some TAs grade more harshly than other TAs, but there is a curve, so don't worry too much about it. Just follow the TAs specific instructions, and make sure you comply with APA format! Can't stress this enough. These are easy points the TAs can use to dock off. I had an amazing TA (not going to say their name out of respect for them, and they're probably not going to TA for this class for a while), so I was super fortunate and blessed. But it's pretty much chance on who you get as a TA (you won't know who they'll be until the class is full, and even then, if they've never taught before, then you're kind of stuck until you meet them the first day). Don't exactly remember the breakdown of the papers and stuff, but lab grade is 40%. Papers are of course the majority of your lab grade. Take your TA's feedback into account whenever you write a paper. Go to office hours. Ask questions. Clarify things during section. Really know what your TA likes and is looking for. Hence, don't wait until last minute. I started and wrote my paper gradually, so I did better on my papers (even go to writing center if you know your writing isn't the best). Lab grade also consists of participation, attendance, and quizzes. You can drop your lowest quiz grade, but basically just study the previous Monday's lecture material, and you'll be fine. They're basically scenario questions like those on the exams.

There's 1% EC, but you have to participate in a SONA research study on campus. I suggest you sign up early on - these fill up quick, and friends I knew who waited until 9th or 10th week couldn't get the EC (makes a difference!)

Materials needed: textbook, course reader? (i think it's called), APA manual
- getting access to textbook is necessary, since she tests on it on exams
- course reader necessary cause you write in them for discussions, and turn in some stuff (you can maybe get away by asking someone who took it already and using theirs, but if you can't, you have to buy it (not too expensive though))
- APA manual can help if you're not that great of a writer, but I found it helpful because they had a sample paper, and I used that for formatting and writing

Overall, I had a great experience. I personally like application-based courses, and it's kinda cool figuring out what's lacking in each study (or not) and seeing how you can apply what you know to different situations. However, most people I've learned are different from me, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Great teacher. Okay course. Variable TAs. Should be fine. Good luck!

I've never written a review for a class before but I feel like as a Psychology major a personal review for 100B is necessary.
First things first, Iris Firstenberg was overall a great professor. She gave really interesting lectures. I was never bored or zoning out even with it being a 2 hour lecture. When I went into office hours, she was really easy to talk to and explained everything really well. Although I thought her exams were pretty tricky. The issue when I took the final exam was just overthinking the questions. I went into the final thinking she was trying to trick us with which lead to me doing worse than the midterm. If you don't overthink what you know, the exams shouldn't be terrible. It was important to study for them since the lecture portion is worth more than the lab.
As for the lab section, it is a lot of work. The key I think is to really understand your topic and COMMUNICATE with your partners. If you work together and understand your study, the paper will come easily. TIME MANAGEMENT is the second most important aspect. Give as much detail as you can with each assignment you turn in (i.e. Project Proposal, First Submission, and Final Submission). The APA format is important but not difficult if you just follow the example paper exactly the way it is in the APA Manuel you have to buy for the class.
I did really well in the lab portion, but struggled with the lecture exams (simply because I was overthinking the multiple choice questions) and I ended up with a B+
Getting a good grade in this class IS doable if you put in the work. I made the mistake of taking it along with three other classes but still managed to do well.
Alll in all this class was a struggle and the source of all my stress BUT as psych majors we have to do it and get through it together. Best of luck taking this class. If you're taking it with Iris, you're in good hands, just stay focused.

lolz good luck!!!!

I would not recommend this class mainly because of the grading breakdown. Read previous reviews to see grading breakdown. Take the class with Ankowski if possible, b/c the grading breakdown in that class is much more fair. The professor is engaging but her tests are so tricky that you think you did well and you end up failing :).
I have to retake the class in the summer because even though final grades aren't up yet, there is no way I passed if I failed both exams :) (I am trying not to stress out about it because it is over and there is nothing I can do except do better the next time) Best of Luck Everyone!

I, like you, was scrolling through reviews before deciding on this class. I made the mistake of underestimating negative reviews.
The class consists of 2 Midterms (60% of your grade) and a group project in your lab section (40% of your grade).
The TA will intentionally grade everyone harshly. Everyone in my section got D's and F's on the Method Section.
Now, when you submit your 'first submission', THE APA MANUAL IS YOUR BIBLE. Link your seed articles and your additional research to your current research ("this relates to the current research because..."). I had to use those exact words, because my TA marked me off for lack of clarity.
We were not allowed to see the rubric, even though I came during office hours and asked for it.
In the lab section, the class average was consistently a C.
The lecture material makes sense, and Prof. Firstenberg explains with perfect clarity. Her tests, however, are phrased in a way that is meant to trick you.
What did I study?
The textbook, the notes, the quizzes from the lab section, and the example problems. I also studied the slides from the two review sessions. On the day of the exam, if you told me that I had an extra day to study, I'd say that I didn't need it, because I knew the material inside and out. And yet...
My grades:
First Exam: 70%
Class Average: 76%
Second Exam: 47% (yes, I know, it's bad!)
Class Average: 78%
Our professor curves the class, but I don't think I'll pass. What I'm trying to say is that I can't be the only 'dumb one'. I wish I could go back in time and do it all again. Instead, I'm giving you advice. Don't ignore my negative review. Don't take this class with Firstenberg.
DON'T. DO. IT.

100B is a challenging course, but that is expected. I think that firstenberg made this class engaging, and I enjoyed learning about research in psychology (pretty good preliminary info if you're thinking about grad school and doing your own research someday!)

I will say that lecture was not enough to solidify the material for the exams, it was once a week so I basically felt unprepared the entire time. The text is pretty different from lecture, but do your best to learn from it and take DILIGENT notes on her lectures (TA's now post their own notes of the lecture on ccle) but still, take your own!!

Lab may seem like it takes up your entire time and soul, but dedicate more time to lecture because ultimately-- exams matter more for your grade (60% lecture, 40% lab) In addition, lab has a bunch of assignments so you can work with that 40% whereas lecture grade is only two exams.

Don't play yourself by ignoring the APA manual while writing submissions for lab, because your TA will mercilessly deduct points from your awesome paper because you write "8" instead of "eight", and other small errors (true story, v sad)

Finally, the exams incorporate stats like ANOVA, t -tests, main effects, simple effects, interactions, etc. GET THESE CONCEPTS DOWN!

This class is mandatory for psych majors, we all feel camaraderie in our misery over the grading structure in this course. May the curve be ever in your favor. <3

What a class. Where do I start?

1- The Professor: Dr. Firstinberg is a great, knowledgeable, smart, and all around fantastic instructor. Her class is by no means easy, but she's very clear in her expectations from students and her teaching strategy. Lectures were organized, ideas and concepts flowed effortlessly, and it was just a pleasure being in her class. In office hours, she was open to questions and seemed concerned about genuine student learning. If all professors at UCLA taught like Iris, UCLA would have great classes.

2- The tests: Tests were hard, I'm not gonna lie to you. However, they're designed to test your understanding of the material. The material is very interesting, and hard concepts can be mastered by practicing and applying them through the different practice material the course provides (which isn't much).
Back to the tests; they're 40 multiple choice answers based on different scenarios on research methods. They can be tricky so read carefully.

3- Discussion/Lab: Labs are where most of the work in this class is centered, and there's a lot of it. All Was will be harsh graders so you should expect low scores, but do your best and follow instructions to the smallest details. Follow APA like it's your holy book; read it every night to sleep and before every meal.
Take notes of things that you think you're gonna remember because in reality you're gonna forget them and not include them in your paper and mess something up. Take notes and start working on your paper early.
My project group was wonderful and hardworking (s/o), and my TA (Danny) was funny and easy-going but I can't say this will be everyone's experience.

4- Grade breakdown:

60% lecture (midterm + final)
40% Lab (Method, quizzes, participation, first + final submission)

All in all (not knowing my grade yet), this class wasn't AS HORRIBLE as people say it is, but it is hard and it requires a lot of work. Good luck!

OK. 2:15 am, I have not even completed the quarter yet which may be unfair but the way things are looking so far I feel obligated to write the review to spare anyone who is considering it for Spring.

THIS CLASS IS UNNECESSARY HELL, and while you might need to take it for your major, here is what I can advise you thus far.

1. people aren't kidding on here or exaggerating when they say how difficult it is. my mistake- I thought they were because of how much I understood the material in lecture, and did well on the first couple quizzes in lab- so I left studying for Exam 1 for the night before and I'm sure you can guess how the rest went. Ya, its worst than you think. With a 62% on the midterm, I literally need to Ace the fuck out of lab and Exam 2 to even pass the class now as in to have a solid C.

2. Don't be afraid of this class- but know there is a reason people r reviewing it what they are so take it seriously, or else you will be crying your dumb ass away when you need to kill yourself to get an A on the lab assignments which is kinda out of your control ultimately so again STUDY FOR THE EXAMS AND WORK ON THE PRACTICE EXAM FROM THE DAY ITS POSTED!!

3. There is group work. If theres anything I hate more than this class is being dependent on people for stuff. 2:15 am, as I mentioned, and I am still typing up the First submission of the lab report that is due tomorrow morning because we still fucking changed what we are doing for the 100th until the last sec. I thought my confused ass would be saved by my partners but we are just a ball of confusion and now my muffled brain is going to hand in gibberish tomorrow.

4. Also this isn't so related to the class, or it is really to all classes, MANAGE YOUR TIME WISLEY AND EAT GOOD FOOD AND DRINK WATER. Didn't realize that the reason I felt like fainting today in Powell is because literally 7 hours have passed since I ate lentil soup for lunch, and I was so anxious and irritated about why I am so foggy and faint. Not sure how I got home in once piece, but that nearly ass-wooping from my mama about why my dumb ass waits so long to eat prob got the message through my head.

When all is said and done, just don't stress, take care of yourself to be able to put out your best work, and pray that my ass doesn't get thrown out of the psych major this quarter. Amen sistas.

Overall, this is not a fun class. The lecture and lab portions of the course are completely separate, so it's almost like taking 2 classes in one. My main advice: although the lab portion seems like it takes WAY more time and effort, DO NOT skimp on studying things from lecture for the midterm and final. That was my issue in this class - I was so overwhelmed with the lab (designing an experiment and writing an APA paper on it), that I slacked off when it came to studying the lecture material. The lecture portion is worth 60% of your overall course grade, whereas the lab is only worth 40%. So, although I received an A for the lab portion, I received a C in the lecture portion and therefore got a C+ overall. So make sure to go to lecture (another one of my problems), study hard for the midterm and final (the tests are very tricky), and you should be fine. The professor is nice. The class and the grading system is just stupid overall. Good luck

There are 2 components to this class: the lecture and the lab. Firstenberg did an amazing job teaching us about research methods in psychology every week, and it was a pleasure to have her as my professor. However, what you learn in lecture does not necessarily help with the assignments in lab. Most assignments in lab are graded by your TA and the grade is also curved based on the grades your section's classmates receive. As long as you follow the TA's directions and ask him or her for clarifications, you should get an okay grade for the lab component of this class. The grading may not necessarily be fair, but the curve in the end does help a lot and evens out your grade. Yes, there is a lot of work involved, but as long as you don't procrastinate and work on your project gradually, you should be fine with time management.

The most important point to take away from this review is to really focus on your midterm and final exam score. You have control over these scores and can really study the lecture and textbook material to secure good grades for your lecture portion of the class. There is more luck involved with your lab grade and like I said before, you may not think the lab grade you receive is necessarily fair, so put more work into the exam scores because they are worth 60% of your overall grade.