Prof Fridlund is very charismatic and funny. Lectures are entertaining and informational. He's very nice to talk to during office hours. The class itself is very reading-heavy -- if you read, you'll get a good grade. Overall a challenging but fun GE to take.
I loved Fridlund! His psych 1 class was very engaging and he makes his lectures interesting and funny. The class is very difficult because it is so much material and so so much reading but if you put in the work, actually do the readings, and make sure you understand the fair game sheet then you will be fine! Also, attend section.
Everyone should take Psychopathology with Fridlund before graduating UCSB. Seriously - he's such an engaging professor and forces you interact with the realities of mental illnesses. I can't commend his teaching style enough. Course-wise, it's one of the more difficult psychology classes because there's more reading, but it's 100% worth it. TAKE IT
Fridlund was hilarious and made every lecture worth going to, however his class isn't easy if you don't put in the effort. Memorizing all the terms on the fair game sheet won't be enough. You have to understand how to apply the terms and read the book.
I didn't mind the class at first, it seemed like it would be something I would enjoy. I did the 6 hours of research right away and always studied for the quizzes. I had to miss the midterm for a death in my family and he gave a CRAZY make up midterm exam. This class is definently not an easy GE. You must read and keep caught up.
I loved Fridlund! His lectures were entertaining, he was very clear on what he expected from his students, and he cares about his students' success. YOU WON'T PASS UNLESS YOU DO THE READING. Tests are challenging but doable. My only complaint is that I finished the class with less than 1% below an A, and he wouldn't round the grade for me.
He cares too much about his lectures not being boring tends to barely discuss test material, so you'll have to read a lot, and just pay attention when he mentions fair-game terms. Midterm average 70%, final average 79%. Quizzes are on random facts, hard to study for. Sections cover material not in lecture, no time for review. Overall bad class.
Don't take this class if you're looking for a easy GE, not a Psych major, or won't be putting your full effort into it. 4 quizzes, 1 midterm, 1 final, 6 research participation requirements. It's difficult, but if you study everything on the Fairgame Sheet then you'll be fine. The midterm was a lot harder for me than the final.
Fridlund is informative, funny, & everything you can ask for in a great professor. Go to lecture, they're hilarious & 70% of test material--also sometimes his dog visits so sit up front. Lecture is never a bore bc everything is so interesting. Graded by a few things but he gives a fair game sheet! Study EVERYTHING on that sheet and you'll be fine!
Probably one of the easier classes out there since he gives you what's going to be on the test (fair game sheet). It's all about knowing the terms on that sheet, no tricks to it. Quizzes can be the difference b/w an A and a B so study for those. Overall, lectures were funny and engaging but most of the info you need are in the readings.
Professor Fridlund was an extremely cultured and insightful man. His class has lots of reading and attending lectures is very recommended. His grading system may seem intimidating at first but in the end it isn't too difficult at all. The midterm is pretty difficult even if you study but the final is very easy if you study the fair game sheet.
Professor Fridlund's class was difficult, be prepared to read. The class was graded on a point system rather than %, & relied on a midterm and final. After bombing the midterm I had to grind to pass, but definitely manageable as long as you listen to his study suggestions! Lectures were extremely entertaining and interesting, would highly recommend
This class was very interesting, however as great of a guy as Fridlund is, he spends most of his time reading the lecture verbatim. In order to get an A extreme effort is required. Attendance is not required for lecture or section, but recommended for section.
I absolutely loved Psych 1. Professor Fridlund is engaging and comedic. It's a good idea to sit towards the front of the lecture in order to not lose focus. The lectures are MANDATORY and 70% of the tests come directly from the lectures. I highly recommend taking this course.
Great prof love him a lot
The layout of this class makes no sense; one often gets the feeling that Fridlund wants to make it as difficult as possible for students to access and synthesize the information. Lectures are absolutely useless, you won't learn anything that pertains to the current topic, or even to the course overall. Readings are digital and painful to navigate.
Alan is a fantastic teacher. I really enjoyed his lectures. He made the subject interesting. However, he expects us to know way too much material for the midterm and final. Sections weren't helpful as they just added more subject matter that didn't tie into lecture. Unless you're a psych major or have a fairly light class load, I wouldn't take this
Ernest and hilarious. Willing to push unpopular opinions for the sake of a more well-rounded learning experience. Passionate about the material, but also hella chill. Not too challenging a course, but extremely captivating lectures.
Professor Fridlund is quite the character. He jokes around a lot during lecture and can sometimes be rude. You occasionally have to try not to take what he says seriously. I find that he makes the lectures more interesting and he tends to sway away from topics and tells stories.
An amazing teacher that exposes students to new ways of thinking. Everyone should take this class even if it's pass/no pass to get the full experience at UCSB. The tests are really hard but the class is worth taking even if you get a low grade.
Prof Fridlund is very interesting and passionate about the topic. But, he goes off topic for almost all of lecture. The midterm only covered parts of the fair game sheet so was a waste of time trying to learn everything. Questions on the test are super confusing. Not an easy class even if you do all the readings, study and go to all the classes.
Prof Fridlund is a funny guy who really cares about teaching engaging material. His tests are not hard as long as you know all the topics on the fair game sheet. Read the chapters in the textbook if you want an A+. Loved this class.
Loved this class! Midterm and final are pretty difficult not to many people do well. He gives you a fair game sheet about a week before the tests. Sections are long but interesting. You watch videos most of the time. Funny guy would definitely recommend to a friend and would take this professor again.
Fridlund is the man. He's funny, smart, and a great lecturer. Beware: his tests are hard if you don't know how to study for them. Literally go through the fair-game sheet and use his lecture slides, posted on GS. The slides are the key.