It looks like there are a lot of bad reviews out here. I took his Psych 101 course in the summer, which seemed not as hard as these reviews made me expect it to be. We didn't have a textbook, which is always a plus. The class consisted of two midterms (40% each) and 1 group presentation (20%). The midterms weren't too bad, no questions or ideas that he didn't go over in class. It is very manageable, the only part that was sometimes hard was the 4 hour lab, but he gave us a break and candy sometimes. He is very helpful in his office hours, so I encourage you to visit him. Overall, probably much better than any other Pysch lab out there.

CAUTION: People say to take Psych 101 because it's "easy" but McAuliffe's class was a joke. The title is General Psychology Laboratory. But you learn nothing about research methods, lab skills, or anything. It's basically whatever McAuliffe feels like teaching. One week we took turns flipping pennies in the lab as part of an "experiment". Another week he thought it necessary to make us look at optical illusions. The material is so DISJOINTED from week to week, you're learning NOTHING. Then, McAuliffe expects you to memorize random phobias, facts about optical illusions, and whatever he mentions BRIEFLY in class...but in MINUTE detail on the exams. I'm always down for an easy class, but this class was so downright painful to stay in, sometimes I had to just leave. If you want to take Psych 101, take it with another professor. Either that, or just take another lab...even if it's more "work", at least you won't feel like stabbing yourself in class.

Take this lab. As long as you stay on top of your reading, you'll be good to go. The weekly quizzes aren't all too hard. Big plus for me is the NO PAPER fact about the class.

This class is a waste of time. If you have taken your cores for the psychology major, this class will not teach you anything new. This class is supposed to be a lab. However, there is absolutely no lab experience.
The professor is not of the greatest quality. He really should not be teaching. During lab, he would assign us with group work that we would have to present in 45 minutes to the class. Then, he would leave during the 45 minutes. I guess it's smart of him...he gets paid to teach and then heads back to his office to relax. "Lab" is 4 hours long. However, he managed to let us out about 30 minutes late on the last day of lab. Time management anyone?
I learned nothing about lab/research procedures in psychology. Instead the professor, teaches about things like visual illusions (useless if you already took psych 120a) or abnormal psychology (useless if you already took psych 127), etc. The material taught is not relevant for those students who want to go to grad school and learn about research.
Apparently, the professor dreamt of being a comedian or a singer and it didn't work out. In class, he spends most of his time cracking jokes. On the last day of lecture, he brought his guitar and sang to the class. Is this really the way that professors at one of the top universities in the country should be teaching? This is really disappointing considering how much we pay for our courses! He knows he is not the best professors, so he showers the class with candy on evaluation day. Lectures are extremely boring because all the material is not new. His exams are short answer. They are easy for the most part. But, he asks really specific questions. In conclusion, this class is not helpful if you are looking to learn. It is best to sign up for another lab. Best of luck.

Can't believe this guy is teaching!!!!!!!

-More that 20 minutes late to half the classes, once 45 minutes late, and all other times at least 5 minutes late

-Lets students out of class late because he was late

-Lost our midterm exams! (forced a retake)

-Inappropriately teaches cognitve psychology material for a class entitled "General Psychology Lab" (We did not get any lab-related experience)

-Does the department give this 'throw-away' class to a teacher with a 'throw-away' attitude?

-He tries to bribe students on the evaluation day by singing a song

It's true what a few of the other reviews have said about Prof. McAuliffe regarding his tardiness. He does arrive anywhere from 10-20 minutes late to class. However, he uses the time he has left very wisely. If you've taken 120A or 120B before, this class is incredibly easy in comparison! For example, he briefly touches upon the color and motion after-effects, but he doesn't bother to get too technical in their explanations. He brings up some very interesting topics though and gives great demonstrations in lab to really bring the concepts home. The class grade consisted of 2 exams (of equal weight, the second of which was not cumulative), a paper, a presentation, and attendance. Prof. McAuliffe is more than willing to help out with the paper and presentation, and his exams aren't that difficult at all. You just have to make sure to attend class and listen to what he has to say! Overall, this is a good class and I recommend it.

true, he is entertaining and pretty funny which makes the class more tolerable. another good aspect of it is that there is very little reading and dont really need to buy any expensive books for the course. i thought the tests/quizes were a little tough especially that they are short answer. i had to take a quiz i wasn't ready for because i was expecting it on the day it said on the syllabus but apparently he changed it. he's a pretty good teacher just didn't end up with a really good grade. :(

Nice guy, but but doesn't always get what he's trying to teach across very well. I didn't feel like I've gained much from the class. Very picky about giving out points on tests. Grades more on whether or not you paid attention in class, and not necessarily about relevant info pertaining to the class.