“Giving Psychology Away”: A Study on Psychological Literacy Investigating School Students

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 11:25 am
  In Roundtable Session: Global Insights: School Assessments and Stakeholders’ Feedback (Table 29)

Abstract

Aim of the present study was to investigate different facets of psychological literacy in children with and without psychology classes in school. For this purpose, we examined a total of N = 537 students (n = 321 with psychology classes) in grades 10 to 13 from several schools in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany). Statistically significant differences were found between students with and without psychology classes: For example, students with psychology classes identified more psychological misconceptions correctly and showed less prejudices against people with mental illnesses. The present study is thus one of the first to empirically examine the possible effects of psychology instruction at school. Relevant implications for future research can be derived from the results.

Authors

• Linda Wirthwein, TU Dortmund University

• Ricarda Steinmayr, Technische Universität Dortmund