PSYC 2300

Best professor and class ever! The textbook is not necessary . You just need to go to lecture and pay attention, which you'll want to do because both the content and Proffitt are interesting. He is funny, quirky, and knowledgeable. Take good notes and remember the examples in class. The TA notes are also pretty helpful. You need to pay attention though, because his slides are not content heavy and is used to support his oral lecture. The exams are the fairest things I've ever taken. Any grade I get is purely because I deserve it. They are straightforward and are fairly easy if you understand the content. Take this class whether you need it for your major or not!

One of my favorite classes I have taken at UVA! If you are a psych major and choosing between perception and cog, both are very interesting but I think perception is much easier. It is obvious that Proffitt loves the material and has been teaching this for a while because the class is well organized and he knows what he's talking about. You do not have to buy the textbook/do the reading to succeed in the class. Go to lecture and take notes to everything except what he says you don't have to take notes for. Study your notes and do the sample tests (and look at the sample final because there are more questions for each unit on it) and you should be fine if you know the material. He does not try to trick you on the tests. Proffitt is a really nice guy out of the classroom also. Go to office hours when you have questions on material, not right before an exam, and he will be very happy to help you through your issues. The TA notes are also very useful when studying.

This has been one of my favorite classes at UVA. After five semesters, I'd say that's worth something. Proffitt is a wonderful human. He is understanding and easy to follow. Reading through past comments a saw a couple that claimed he treated the class like Kindergarteners or dumbed down the lecture. Let's be clear: this is an intro class. Not difficult but incredibly interesting and worthwhile. Proffitt tells you sometimes to stop taking notes while he goes off on some story or tangent, but I find these valuable. They are always related to the material as extra support and are very interesting. I find it easier to focus on the lecture material and understand what's going on because I'm not frantically writing everything down. The lecture is very engaging and dynamic. Proffitt is silly. I don't think that's demeaning in any way to the class; I have a lot of respect for any teacher, or anyone, who is so comfortable in their own skin and willing to be weird and silly in class completely unabashed. He is the kind of teacher I would want to be. He is great with asking for and answering questions. He mostly just puts images on his slides, which I appreciate because I'm more focused on what's important and not distracted by a bunch of text. The work load is minimal. Reading is interesting and not abundant. Tests are straightforward. They are short answer, but if you attend lecture and review you'll be fine. I would recommend this class to any and all students.

Absolutely loved this class, prof is hilarious and really keeps the class engaged. I genuinely found myself looking forward to every lecture, and he managed to keep things interesting and not just read off the slides. I plan on being a cogsci major, so psych is something I do naturally like, but this class really kept me focused on that path. Keep in mind- the tests are NOT MC, you write out all the answers. However, it's basically pure memorization. If you're good at memorization, read your notes and you'll get an A in the class. But details are important, so really go in depth on your review, and probably don't start the night before unless you have a photographic memory. Great class!

Professor:
- knows a lot about what he's talking about
- can hook you up with lots of opportunities
- lots of students email and talk to him even after passing his class
- babies you (says you don't need to know beyond this and that)

Fun:
- lectures were long but he always manages to make people laugh
- occasionally calls on volunteers and makes examples using "Sweetie"

Difficulty:
- tests are never multiple choice
- have to memorize a lot of concepts
- gets progressively difficult
- practice tests are good at gauging how you'll do on tests, but they are still different

Recommendability:
- go for it if you think you want to be a Psych major
- go for it if you don't mind lots of note-taking
- go for it if you don't want busywork
- don't go for it if you don't memorizing a lot of content for courses
- don't go for it if you want an "easy A"

Honestly, I was a fan of the material. I just thought it was unfair the way we had to memorize all the info and provide short answer responses on the tests. If I could go back and time and not take one class that I took last semester/my entire life, it would be perception. I feel that the way we had to memorize the material for the test took away from me being able to enjoy the class and actually learn. I passed, but it was not a good time.

The best course at UVA!! The lectures actually correspond the the assessments. 10/10 would recommend.

This class was simultaneously my easiest and most annoying class that I've ever taken at UVA.

Proffitt is an okay professor. He's been doing this for a long time, and he seems to know his stuff well enough. If you like to be treated like a kindergartener, Proffitt is the professor for you. He tells you when to start and stop taking notes so much that you wonder if you're really in a college course. He's been telling the same jokes for at least 20 years that seem to be first-year laugh magnets and is very smug when he tells one.

The content is decent. After taking Intro to Cognition, I expected about the same manner of presenting the material, but I was wrong. The material is very simplistic, and not taught in a satisfying manner. In a course like Cognition, you learn something cool, then you see how it affects the world around you, which was very cool. Intro to Perception seems to lack the latter.

The exams that Proffitt calls "quizzes" are generally very easy. Memorize your notes, and you will be fine. He claims he will pull questions from the textbook, but it really isn't worth your time to read as they are so few (1 or 2 maximum per exam) and you can sometimes guess the answer.

Overall, I highly recommend this course if you are looking for an easy, low-effort, non-time-consuming class. If you've taken classes previously at UVA, you will probably be annoyed, but that is a somewhat small price to pay for a relatively easy A/B.

This class was nothing to write home about, but if you're considering it, I'll lay out the goods and bads.

The goods:
-You don't have to read the textbook at all, it's 99% lecture notes
-The exams aren't difficult if you've studied at least an hour. They are also pretty straightforward and not meant to trick you.
-There are 3 exams (25 questions) and a final (50 questions). Not multiple choice, so you do have to be able to recall information.

The bads:
-I would not recommend taking this course if you have taken any anatomy, biology, or Neural Basis courses. Having had all three, I found this class to be like a dumbed down version of Neural Basis with a few perceptual concepts. The material is somewhat interesting but rarely has depth.
-Proffitt is one of the most annoying lecturers I've had at UVA. I don't hate the man, he just rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning. It's a combination of his obnoxious use of the word "Sweetie" (I tallied more than 45 instances of it), his poor spelling, insistence of filling every minute of lecture with a story, and his daily greeting of "Hello" until the class quiets down. He is constantly saying to stop taking notes because what he's saying either isn't important or not on the exam. His lectures could be no more than thirty minutes if he didn't tell stories. Although it is nice to have a break from taking notes, I would rather be let out early than sit through repetitive stories- just my opinion.
-This class was packed and was mostly 1st/2nd years. The material felt more aimed at the 1st year level and Proffitt's lecture style was as well. He loves to say when to start and stop taking notes, and telling you that it's important you have something written down. This isn't so great if you prefer more professional/advanced class setups. If you're new to taking notes in large lectures then this class may be a nice start. Personally, I felt the class was a better fit for people with less experience in large lectures.
-Most reviews seem to call Proffitt very funny, but I found him to be a little too proud of himself. He tries too hard to get the class to laugh, then smiles and nods like he's just done something hilarious. The 1st years seemed to find it funny though.

I didn't hate the class, but I sure didn't love it either. I may seem bitter like I did poorly in the class, but I actually came out with a low A. This is just my overall opinion of Proffitt's style. If you're interested in the human aspects, take a class that is more fun like Neural Basis or a bio-focused class. If you want an easy PSYC class then it's up to you if Proffitt and the material are worth it.

I just finished the final for the class and I can say the tests are pretty intense. Unless you show up to lecture everyday and sit through it at 100% attention, don't dream about getting over a 90% on his exams. The exams are free response/short answer/graphs. It's actually pretty hard if you end up missing class because despite the TA notes (which can be extremely hard to read) learning by listening is the best way to succeed. I didn't get the grade I expected going into the semester and it actually wasn't exactly what I was expecting out of the course. It's definitely more science/bio based than anything else. Profitt isn't a bad professor, but he can be a little condescending. Don't bother even renting the book like everyone says because it's worthless + there's an online version (sigh, that I didn't know about until today). Anyway, if you're good at the stuff I described, feel free to knock your socks off and take the course.

P.S. I want to mention that the lab that is optional is pretty fun, but the quizzes are harshly graded (which are most of your grade).

Great class with a great teacher! Proffitt is a really good lecturer and is probably one of the easiest classes to take notes in, which is GREAT because the tests are solely based on the lecture material. He literally TELLS you when to write stuff down or not and is willing to repeat confusing things. I've gotten high As on all the tests because I just read the lecture notes and I'll miss one question just because it was something small from the book. DONT buy the book, just borrow from a friend because any possible question he would ask (and there is only max of 3 pts out of 100 from book) will be based on FIGURES. Overall great, relatively easy class if you pay attention during lecture and try not to miss any (since tests are lecture-based). There were 3 non cumulative tests and cumulative final, and though he's a great lecturer and entertaining, I thought he was pretty condescending during office hours or if you ask him questions. Recommend for CogSci majors!!!

Far and away my favorite class my first semester at UVA. Dennis Proffitt not only knows how to teach students a good amount of material but also understands how to teach so students remember the material. EXTREMELY funny as he often weaves fun experiments or videos into the lecture which allows students to have fun and understand them. The grade distribution will say what it says, but the average for our most recent test was a 92%. I am now considering a major in Psychology even further. One thing is that you have to attend lecture if you want to succeed. Outside of class, I have maybe opened the textbook three times. Overall, and extremely interesting, enjoyable, and manageable class that I would recommend to anyone.

Really worthwhile class. It's really not hard at all if you just pay attention, and it's usually interesting enough that you actually want to pay attention. Some people do struggle, but it helps to have some physiology or psychology background. If you use the TA notes to make sure your own are thorough and study from that, it's really easy to get an A.

This class was great. There was no homework and no writing. Reading the textbook was optional and Proffitt warned he would pull a question out of the textbook that wasnt mentioned in lecture once each quiz, but some quizzes he didn't do it and it wasn't worth reading all the chapters for the one question. Proffitt is HILARIOUS, everything he says you expect to be funny, and he makes the lecture really interesting. He has interesting slides and an interesting lecture, but if you don't want to show up for class his TA's post thorough, hand-written notes from each lecture on Collab after the lecture. His quizzes (you can consider them exams) are difficult, but not impossible at all. They simply require complete memorization of the notes, and since they are evenly spaced throughout the semester you never have to memorize too much- but memorize it thoroughly because they are pure recall and you have to draw images like graphs freehand and label axis' etc. Overall it was a REALLY enjoyable and interesting class (that wasn't too hard if you just study for the quizzes) taught by a hilarious and intelligent professor.

Proffitt taught a fun and interesting class.

This was my first semester of college. I went in after reading the reviews on here and though it'd be an okay class, but that'd I'd pull out with an A. Well, that didn't happen. While I was close to an A, this class was my hardest class this semester. The exams are graded WAY too harshly considering they are all short answer recalls and there's way too much information to memorize. If you mess up on one quiz and even get a B, then there's really no hope for you. While Proffitt tells cute stories to go home and tell "sweetie" and the class is actually one that helps you in life, it was taught it a manner that was way too difficult. TAs don't even know the answers half of the time and even if you're right about a question you get wrong on a quiz and they admit that you're right they won't budge. Believe me, this happened quite a few times. And this didn't happen because I didn't study either. I basically memorized the notes yet when given a SHORT ANSWER exam things tend to slip your mind and the TAs are unforgiving. Unless you have to take this class for your major or are an experienced 3rd/4th year, Save yourself the trouble and don't take this class.

You learn interesting things, admittedly there is a good deal of overlap with PSYC 2200.

As for the grading, it could be unpredictable/unfair at times. Proffitt was a little rude when you talked to him in person.

TAs took notes and post them on Collab so you could do just as well without going to lecture. Didn't need to read the textbook.

Highly recommended. Proffitt has a great sense of humor and some cool stories.. he has worked with NASA and art museums and consulted on court cases all because of his expertise in perception - and these are just the examples he's told us about. It's essential to go to class and take good notes, but study for a few hours and the tests (although entirely short answer) are no problem.

Attend class, take good notes, and memorize everything from your notes for the exams and you will be fine.

This class was interesting, as were the lectures. However, the tests were pretty challenging and graded a bit harshly considering the questions are short-answer. There is a lot of information on every test, so study ahead of time. Also, it helps to read the textbook diagrams because there will always be a few questions on every test pertaining to them (and they make the difference between a B+ and an A.

Proffitt is the man. He seriously knows his stuff, and as a result, the midterms and final are almost entirely from lecture. If you take good notes during class, go to all the classes, and study your notes, you'll be set. I got an A+ in this class by doing that and I had limited psych background before taking it. The TAs are very helpful. Also, all the midterms and final are the same format and there are practice tests from earlier years given out before each midterm (and the final). There is limited outside reading (just textbook, which you only need to skim) and absolutely no other work. The only grades are midterms and the final. Take this class! Favorite professor at UVA thus far.

LOVED Proffitt. Great professor; I actually enjoyed going to class.

There are some up-sides, and there are some down-sides, but overall it's one of the more rewarding and interesting classes I've taken so far.
The good things: 1) Proffitt is really a very enjoyable lecturer and knows how to enliven the class with a few quirky quips here and there. 2) You don't really have to read the book. In fact, I'd venture so far as to say that you don't even have to buy it... though maybe you should, because occasionally it's good for clarification/reinforcement. 3) The quizzes and final are very straight-forward. All you really have to do is have a solid understanding of the concepts (so that you can recognize them in examples & suchlike), and remember a good set of terminology.
The bad things: 1) Even though Prof Proffitt is awesome, the class did get a bit tedious at times. 2) A good chunk of the quizzes were just straight-up memorization. But, if you study for a couple days prior and understand everything, a good grade isn't difficult to pull off.
Basically, doing well in this class is predicated on attending every single lecture, taking good notes, having more than a half-hearted understanding of the material, and memorizing a bunch. Overall, easy enough for most to handle.

nothing really much to say except it was an awesome class. It's all about listening and understanding his lectures which are pretty straight forward. Study the material well, compare it to the TA's notes and it's very easy to get in the high 80's in exams. there are 3 exams and a final exam, and your grade depends all on those exams. It's pretty hard to average a 94 on all the exams, i found getting an A is pretty tough but getting a B+ or A- is pretty easy.

Probably the best psych class I've taken so far (out of 6), even if it really focuses more on what initially appears to be anatomy/biology. You'll look at the world differently after this class. Proffitt is exceptional at explaining concepts (as well as what to draw/write in your notes) which are often pretty abstract. Reading the book is interesting but optional- I preferred to focus exclusively on the lectures. He explains things so well that going over them again in the book actually made things less clear a lot of the time. So, I ended up not reading the book for any test except for the 1st and I did fine. Get used to hearing the word "kapusta"- a LOT

Almost all of the information on test comes from lectures. Going to class is ESSENTIAL. The class requires a lot of studying and understanding but it is very interesting!!!

All you need to do well in this class:
1) Attend lecture and take good notes (which you can later compare against the TA notes),
2) Look at the diagrams in the books, and
3) Take the practice tests on Collab.
The material is actually very interesting and answered a lot of questions I've had ever since childhood. (You can probably get at least a B+ if you do the above, but if you want an A, you should try to read the textbook.) Proffitt is a very good lecturer, but he is difficult to approach outside of class in that he kind of makes you feel like you're wasting his time. Overall, however, a worthwhile class!

This class is predicated on lecture attendance. Studying the book will only get you so far and really doesn't compare to being in the class even though the TAs provided notes. GO TO CLASS

Proffitt is the man. This is one of my favorite classes that I have taken at UVA, and definitely in the Psych department. The class is no walk in the park, but the information is really interesting, and Proffitt is a a VERY fair tester. Going to class is crucial to understanding, but if you study what he lectures on, you should do just fine. I highly recommend this class to anybody and everybody

great class. proffitt definitely keeps the lectures interesting. the class is pretty easy since there are only 3 midterms and a final. make sure you go to the lectures though since all the visualizations/videos help.

This class isn't really quite as great as I thought it was going to be. The material is really common sense for the most part so the tests should be easy. However, they are free response and the TAs are very nitpicky about exact terms, spelling, etc. Since the tests make up the entire grade, you better try to spell and draw everything exactly correct. Also, don't read the book. Some of the information in the book is different that that in the lecture and the book will just confused you.

He is a funny guy with all his interesting facts about why we do some of the behaviors that we do. He always talks about telling our "sweetie" this or that. The class is interesting if you are interesting in knowing more about our own senses. The tests are hard because everything is free answer but if you read the TA notes and do the sample tests then you should do fine. Also, make sure your wording on the test matches theirs because they are a little nit picky about that. The book doesn't need to be read. It all comes from lecture unless he says so.

Material is very interesting, and in class Proffitt is pretty interesting and makes sure you know the material. Outside of class I thought he wasn't as engaging as in class - he seemed like he was pretty busy and rushed. Tests aren't too bad but be careful because the grading is very very nitpicky.

This course was very interesting and informative.

I actually disagree with many of the other comments. I'm a Psych major, but I found this class quite difficult. The exams are pretty tricky, and if you don't do well on one of them it's too bad since he doesn't let you drop anything. Make sure you like science as it relates to psychology if you don't have to take this class. Proffitt is fairly nice in class and a decent lecturer but in person I found him intimidating (and I'm not often intimidated of professors). He's willing to help you if you need it in the class but don't think he'll do it in a way that makes you feel comfortable.

This was a great class! Proffitt makes the material interesting and applicable, and the tests don't offer any surprises. If you study and prepare well, this should be an easy (and fun) class.

Fantastic class, not an easy A but worth the reading time. Lectures are great.

I'm a psych major and this is the best psych class i've had at uva. proffitt is great, and grading is pretty easy.

This class was one of the best classes I have taken at UVA. If you are interested in psychology and how the brain is involved in our perception of everyday events I would recommend this class. Proffitt is very enthusiastic and applies the concepts to everyday life.