Does not give clear grading criteria. Does not give clear information about how to improve. Grades are based entirely on how much you agree with his subjective opinions. No instruction and not easy to access outside of office hours. Classes are asynchronous during the pandemic. 100% of teaching fell on the TA, who was useless and underprepared.
Roney is an awesome professor. Classes are very lecture heavy, I passed but hey, Cs get degrees? Even though I didn't do that well, I still attended every lecture and learned quite a lot of interesting things that I wasn't expecting to get out of this class. Wish this class was offered twice a week instead of once a week though!
Your grade is heavily weighted on your midterm and lab report. Midterm is designed to trick you - average was a 65% on multiple choice. Besides that, the TA's are super down to earth and willing to help you all the time. Compared to other labs I've heard about, this one is definitely your best bet. Put in the work for your report, and you're golden
The exams are designed to trick you so look at everything carefully. The class was very hard, but the prof at least had a fun attitude.
Took Psych 7, Psych 146 (whis grad student) and Psych 153L. With Psych 153L, take this course only if you have a genuine interest in Ev Psych. It would be extremely helpful to have taken Psych 146 and classes with Cosmides, which will save you on exams. His classes are not easy, but if you're interested in the subject, you'll love it! Got an A!
HORRIBLE PROFESSOR!!!! RUINED MY GPA!!!! :-(
Professor roney is the worst professor I ever had. He had prevented examples for research methods and often would put down UCSB students and say they are stupid compared to university of Chicago students. Very offensive professor and horrible at teaching his tests are also written to confuse the students with no surefire correct answer. Stay away
Wow this professor was so boring and his exams are made to confuse you. Reading the book will not help, he wants to see you fail. This class killed my gpa and the professor said he only teaches because Ucsb forces him to do so and he would only do research if he had a choice. He also puts down UCSB students. BEWARE
This professor roney is terrible! I read the book and went to every single class but the tests were so confusing and multiple choice. The professor laughed at my suffering about failing me and said better luck next time. He only care about research. He said the answer is correct because he says so and that he doesnt care about teaching and forced
Worst professor ever, he goes out of his way to over complicate the material and goes out of his way to try to outsmart students on the exams by using ambitious phasing to create test questions. This professor should be a janitor or a homeless bum because he is a clear example of a horrible professor who is just concerned with research AVOID HIM!!!
Psych 7 sucks but I'm so glad that I took it with him. They don't give him much to work with since only 45% of the class could pass with B-, but he wants to help his students. He's very sweet. Ask him questions if you have any. The content is so dry but he helps you understand with examples. Don't miss class, most of the exams are from lecture!
Roney is a genius and a great professor but definitely do not take this class lightly. The curve makes this class super hard to get a B- in so work very hard and don't slack off. Needed a B- to get into the Psych program and passed with a B after a lot of studying a couple weeks before the final. Two midterms and a final.
Roney holds students to high standards, but I learned a TON in this class. You have to work hard to do well, but it is worth it in the end. Really brilliant professor.
By far, one of my favorite courses on campus. It's definitely based on evolutionary terms so I wouldn't recommend it if you're not a science person. He is very passionate about this field and gives GREAT lectures. The tests are NOT easy but I would definitely take another class taught by him.
As someone who has been passionate about evolutionary psychology, this has been one of my favorite courses. Professor Roney is both passionate about his subject and a terrific teacher of the material. He is clever, funny, and has some terrific insights on the study of human mating. It won't necessarily be easy, but you will love the the course!
Roney is one of the most passionate professors I have seen at UCSB with evolutionary psychology material. He makes lecture really funny with his jokes about the topic. Roney likes to see people participate and raise their hand. He tries to learn the names of those who ask questions and it does seem to boost your grade.
Incredibly boring subject matter, but Roney is a brilliant professor. It's difficult to get an A because of the typical pre psych curve, but lectures were interesting, fair, and he kept the class focused. Loved him and would take his class again.
Even though it is a premajor class in a huge lecture hall, participation can be key to raising your grade. The exams are pretty difficult so be prepared to study your face off. Not a blow off. He keeps things light and humorous. Don't be intimidated to ask questions. Content is pretty dry, but he does the best he can with it.
Great class. Roney was very helpful and clear. The material can be difficult at times but he does a great job explaining it.
No textbook, instead weekly readings (interesting and not too long). Easy B+/A-, beyond that, make sure you know the content very, very well. You'll want to come to lecture to better understand the material, instead of just reading off the powerpoints and ditching class. Yolo.
Roney takes dry material and makes it interesting by using relevant examples and a witty sense of humor. He genuinely cares about the class and tries to remember everyone's names. The class itself is difficult and the tests are hard and wordy. Your grade depends on how much work you're willing to put in AND the curve plays a huge part as well.
Great professor. The content of the class was a little dry but he made lectures interesting and entertaining to attend. Always around to help or answer questions.
Everything you need to do well is at your disposal. His lectures are posted online, and makes it quite clear what is going to be on the exam. Your grade is based on how hard you are willing to work.
Roney was a good teacher, knows the material is boring, tries to make it relatable and gave fair warning that half the class is going to get a C+ or lower. I have never before gotten a C+ and did in this class. I did all the readings, went to every lecture, studied my butt off and still didn't pass. Roney is not the problem- its the tests!