Amanda Sensenig

General Psychology

An introduction to the methods, concepts and principles used in the study of behavior. Includes a survey of topics in psychological development, individual differences, memory, personality structure, mental health, learning and social psychology.

Developmental Psychology

This course is designed to increase students’ understanding of humans and our development, with an emphasis on both person factors and contextual influences.  Modern and historical theories of development are explored and students are encouraged to think critically about physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development and its implications at various points in the lifespan.

Cognitive Psychology

This course encourages students to study how people understand and interpret the world. Primary topics include learning, memory, decision-making, sensation/perception, and intelligence.

Psychological Assessment

This course allows students to study psychological testing theory, test administration and test interpretation. The course surveys intellectual, aptitude, achievement, interest, personality and neurological assessment. Students are given direct experience with tests from each of these categories.

Internship

Internship offers opportunity to observe and participate in a supervised field learning experience in which psychological theories and concepts are employed and issues pertaining to psychology as a career can be addressed.

Physical Fitness and Psychology

In this course students explore the complex relationship between physical activity and a variety of areas within psychology, including emotion, memory, stress, addiction, aging, and more.

Positive Psychology

In contrast to areas of psychology that focus on disordered thoughts and behaviors,  positive psychology identifies the conditions in which people thrive. This empirical understanding of well-being includes our drive to be happy and live a more fulfilling life, and explores the benefits that come with a “glass-half-full” perspective.

Experimental Psychology

This course is a study of the methods and techniques of experimental psychology. Students study empirical findings from the areas of learning, memory, intelligence, and physiological psychology, and work through experimental projects.

Psychology of Humor

In this course, students explore “what’s so funny?” from the perspective of a psychologist. With an emphasis on reading and applying peer-reviewed research findings, students discover the cognitive, social and emotional impacts of humor, as well as what happens in the brain when something is funny.

Sensation, Perception, and Behavior

We use our senses to take in information from the world around us, but what happens next? This course looks at how we receive sensory information from our environment, make sense of it in the brain, and use it to guide our behaviors. The science of individual differences helps us explain why two people might perceive the same input very differently, why we fall victim to visual illusions, and how a scent can call up a memory.

Social Psychology

This course is a study of the influence of society on the individual and of the individual on society. It involves the study of person-to-person transactions, with emphasis on attitudes and small group structure and process.

Cross Cultural Psychology

Students study both the influences of culture on human behavior as well as universal characteristics all individuals share, regardless of culture. This course seeks to examine how an individual’s cultural background influences behavior and thoughts and relationships. Biological, sociocultural, ecological and psychological perspectives are examined.

Nisly, L.L., Cecire, S., Friesen, M., & Sensenig, A. (2015).  Creating Engaging Assignments.  The National Teaching and Learning Forum, 24(3), 9-11.

Rowland, C.A., Littrell-Baez, M.K., Sensenig, A.E., & DeLosh, E.L. (2014). Testing effects in mixed- versus pure-list designs. Memory and Cognition, 42(6), 912-921.

McCabe, D.P., Geraci, L., Bowman, J.K., & Sensenig, A.E. (2011). On the validity of remember-know judgments: Evidence from think aloud protocols. Consciousness and Cognition, 20, 1625-1633.

Sensenig, A.E., Littrell-Baez, M.K., DeLosh, E.L. (2011). Testing effects for common versus proper names. Memory, 19, 664-673.

Sensenig, A.E. & Reese, J.C.  (September). Effective study habits. Presented annually in 2017-2019 at First Year student orientation, Goshen College.

Sensenig, A.E. & Reese, J.C.  (August, 2016). How to get more out of studying. Presented at First Year student orientation, Goshen College.

Gundy, J., Bush, P., & Sensenig, A.E. (April 2014). Giving meaningful feedback and writing assignments (without going crazy). Presented at Teaching and Learning initiative, Bluffton University.

Sensenig, A.E. & Psychology of Learning students (April 2014). Is my brain a racist? What our unconscious mind can teach us about our conscious behaviors. Given on Civic Engagement day, Bluffton University.

Sensenig, A.E. (November 2013). What connectionist networks in the brain can teach us about how our students learn. Selected to present to teaching faculty, Bluffton University.

Sensenig, A.E. (July, 2013). The curious case of the false memory. Invited speaker for the Exchange Club of Elkhart County, Goshen, IN.

Recipient of a Faculty Renewal Grant, along with Julie Reese, to re-design the Psychology Reading Room in accordance with research on belonging and welcoming.

Recipient of Faculty Renewal Grant, together with Julie Reese, to attend week-long Institute on Learning and the Brain on growth mindset, Boston, MA.

Psychonomics Society member

Psi Chi National Honor Society member

Recipient of the College of Natural Sciences Graduate Student Teaching Award, Colorado State University

Recipient of the Cognitive Psychology program award for Excellence in Teaching, Colorado State University

Awarded a $300 travel grant by the Center on Aging, Colorado State University

Certificate in Effective College Instruction, Association of College and University Educators, 2019

Goshen College Mobile Leafs iPad Apps for Teaching, 2017

Amanda and her husband Jesse, both GC graduates, live in Goshen with their daughter Carly. They are owners and founders of Goshen Brewing Company, a family-friendly brewpub specializing in craft beer and farm-to-table food. In 2018, they were inducted into the Elkhart County Business Legacy Hall of Fame as the winners of the Havilah Beardsley Young Entrepreneurs of Elkhart County award.

Amanda is a member of Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, and serves in a variety of capacities. She has taught children’s Sunday School, worked in the children’s nursery, led activity groups at Vacation Bible School, and is a member of the Student Financial Aid committee and the Preschool Board.