3.8
Quality3.3
Difficulty52%
Would Retake88
Reviews52%
Would Retake
88
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
46
4
17
3
8
2
9
1
8
What Students Say
“To make an "A" you really need to work for it”
PSYC266 - 3.0 rating“His lectures added very little to the class”
PSYC430 - 2.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
88%
Textbook Required
0%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.37 avg changeRatings by Course
EXPPSYCH266
5.0
(1)EXPPSYC
5.0
(1)PYSC266
5.0
(1)PSYC1
5.0
(1)PSYCH430
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
321
4.5
PSYCH334
4.5
PSYCH321
4.3
EXPPSYCH266
4.0
PSYC1
4.0
Reviews (88)
I have taken his online PSYC 166 course, and I loved it. He did a great job, and there is no reason not to get an A.
He was a very good professor, It was the same thing every class,(power point lecture, then 5 point quiz at the end) and it is very computer based, but it was good. The end was a little rough, and my grade slipped, but you learn a lot, and it sticks with you.
He is really good at teaching and goes over all the material with you that you need to know. He gives outlines of exactly what is going to be on the exams and quizes. I recommend him.
Very friendly and articulate. Routine class: powerpoint with lecture and 5 point quiz every day. Don't get behind. Extra Credit opportunities: DO THEM. Nice guy with some interesting stories. Boring material (he tried to make it interesting. Tried...). Overall so-so. With a better subject I might have enjoyed class more. Very helpful gradewise.
He knew what he was talking about and really succeeded with his "take-home messages" when he tried to make all the information connect to daily life. He's very friendly, organized, and sticks to his syllabus unlike most others. Recommended.
I took him for experimental and he was easy so i thought i would take him again. quizes are pretty easy but test r really hard, and half of the class is lost and you can study for hours and still do really bad on the exams. DO NOT TAKE THIS CLASS!!!!
Must go to class and read power points ahead of time. Overall class is boring but can be easy at times powerpoint quizes are ok at times unless he makes them hard. I liked that we had plenty of room for error class is hard to get an A but is possible B are very very common 2 or C's at the most.I also liked that it was very little work.
I took his online gen psych class in the summer of 2006 and loved it. Had plenty of time to do required work whcih was basically read a chapter do a quiz. You can use the book for the tests and quizzes you are not timed. Final was pretty rough but if you did well on all the work in the summer all you need to obtain is a 62-64 percent on the final.
Easy class. Go through a Powerpoint and take a 5-question multiple choice quiz each day; he drops the 3 lowest scores at the end of the semester. 4 unit exams + comprehensive final, all multiple choice. Plenty of extra credit, easy A.
Lectures from Powerpoints, all of which are on BB. Tests are hard, but if you review the powerpoints & study the book they're fine. Great guy and good professor.
This is a hard class that goes really in depth, and the tests and quizzes are extreamly detailed. I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a background in biology. The only reason I'm passing is because I took anatomy and physiology.
Dr. Shaffer is great. He's not confusing. He's not frustrating. Come to class. Read assigned text beforehand so you'll do well on the daily quizzes(5pts) because they can really help your grade. Take advantage of extra-credit opportunities. Put effort into studying for tests, it'll pay off! Oh, he brought his dogs to class. That was refreshing.
While he is a very nice man, keep in mind that you take a quiz EVERY SINGLE DAY. I have a B in there because of all these quizzes. So be warned.
Shaffer is an extremely kind man who really seems to care about his material and his students. He really wants you to learn the stuff, and the 5 point quizzes and "Clash of the Groups" are pretty much free pts. Boring subject, though.
Very interesting class, but a challenge. The first test was interesting since we have instant score feedback. I saw one cryer and about 5 pissed off looks. The mean went from a 60 something up to an 80 something. If you take this class, don't fall behind. Be ready to read a lot and use the many online resources he provides.
Dr. Shaffer is a very well organized professor who sticks to the syllabus. I learned a great deal from Experimental Psych, and I'd have to say he is one of the best teachers I've ever had. You do need to study and come to class, but if you put in effort you will do just fine.
cool guy. kinda hippie-like to me. funny at times. quiet and monotones at times, but i love him. he is helpful and very organized. you will have a quiz every class worth 5 pts. tests worth 50. everything MC, no writing at all. no papers. (which i hated, but others loved) notes and podcasts of lectures are online. pretty easy.
I've had him for two semesters in a row now. overal hes very much suited to be a teacher. slightly dry sence of humor that i think I'm the only one who finds him funny. very structured class. quiz every day, 10 pts. extra credit possible. He's sometimes intimidating due to his extreme knowledge of the subject but don't let it stop you from raising
Great teacher! Even better research team!
Experimental psych was the first class that I took with Dr. Shaffer. I found myself enjoying it so much that I signed up for 3 more of his classes. His class is well-organized. His humor is subtle and smart. He genuinely enjoys all of his students and encourages everyone to participate.
My favorite professor at Truman thus far. Cares tremendously about his students and their feelings. I got a B because I forgot to take a few online quizzes - don't forget! But his sense of humor and vast knowledge of the subject kept my attention all semester.
possible one of the most knowledgeable and reputable professors in their field (Biofeedback)i have had at Truman. This class is tough but he structures it to keep you on top of the info. grading if fair (no papers) READ THE BOOK
Dr. Shaffer is an expert in the field of Biofeedback and is very active in research. He is dedicated to his students and is approachable and helpful. Daily quizzes and an interactive online textbook make this class 100% doable. Physiology is a big part of the class, but don't be too intimidated; the subject matter will keep you interested!
He goes WAY too in depth. Hope you have a photographic memory for this class because you have to know the most useless information to pass a test. You can study for hours, do online extras, look over powerpoints, study with others, and study the clash notes and still fail a test. Don't be fooled by 266 or lower classes!!! DO NOT TAKE THIS class!!!
Despite what some people have said, Physiological Psych is not a terribly difficult class. It certainly requires a lot of time, so I would not advise taking it in a full semester; however, if you read the chapters over thoroughly before each test and know specific details, it's doable. He can be particular, but even the small details relate well.
Dr. Shaffer is well organized, clear and concise. There is a 5 point quiz everyday, so you must attend class and read the book. So exams are not as high pressure, but focus is pretty key. The class is rather dry. Dr. Shaffer is an excellent teacher, gives research opportunities, but is sometimes hard to locate during office hours. I'd say "yes".
I felt compelled to review the Physiological Psych class given the prior negative review. Do not be fooled. I've taken 4 of his classes. The class IS demanding (mostly because biological psych is new territory for some). Dr. Shaffer is a top notch professor who provides ample resources to do your best in the class. Put in the time? You'll be fine!
Favorite class/professor. He cares about his students & ensures they have adequate help to succeed. Take the practice quizzes, the ?s are on the tests. He's superior to the psyc staff in his expertise in both applied psychology and the underlying neuroscience. He could trump most of the bio staff in his knowledge of cell function. TAKE THIS CLASS!!
Brilliant teacher. Daily quizzes so you have to read everyday. All quizzes and tests are online in the classroom. Get involved in his research team!
I think this class was taught in a way that was easy to understand. The daily quizzes ensured that I stayed up to date with the material covered in class. I would highly recommend this Dr.Shaffer as an instructor for this class.
Dr. Shaffer is a great teacher. He is able to quickly and effectively cover all the material while still ensuring most students understand the material. All in all, I learned a lot.
This was one of the coolest classes I've taken at Truman. The content was interesting and it was presented in a clear concise way. It was a difficult class, but not because the professor presented material in a difficult way or because the tests were too hard. I'd take more classes in psychopharmacology in a second if I had the option.
Lots of reading with test and quiz questions based off of the book.
Dr. Shaffer is a great professor and gives you the resources you need. The material is dry and sometimes hard to get which makes exams somewhat tricky. There is a 5 point quiz everyday but he lets you drop your lowest 3 or use those 3 days to miss class. Quizzes are not hard but the exams are what get people. Class average is 80% right now.
I also had Shaffer for another one of his classes. They are all similar. A quiz every class. Personally I like this, it makes his classes very structured, gives you chances for points, teaches you how he asks questions, and keeps you on track with the class. You cannot fall behind in this class. He's a very intelligent and funny professor as well.
Good professor. Thorough in his teaching and available to students. Live what he teaches. I learned plenty. Must read text for class and keep up.
He is great. Always exactly as he says it will be. Make sure to look over the section and listen in class. 5 pt Quiz at the end of every class with many questions coming straight from lecture. Easy if you just pay attention. Would take him again for any class
Dr. Shaffer is probably the best professor I have had at Truman. Expectations are clearly laid out, so there is no guessing. The grade you get is based on the effort you put in.
His classes are very interesting and I loved all of them. However, be prepared to study a lot, because they are difficult. Attend class and study for the quizzes and you will be fine.
There are quizzes everyday, but they're not bad if you study the practice quizzes and read the book. Go to class, pay attention, and do the practice tests. You get to take the final with a partner. No papers, just tests and quizzes. I really liked him, but some people think he is boring. Do Extra Credit!
Dr. Shaffer is great. Although the material isn't the most interesting, he makes it so. He gives you plenty of tools to use to study and really wants you to do well in the class. There are quizzes every day, so be sure to read and do the practice quizzes, as many of the practice quiz and test questions are re-used on the real things.
I adore Shaffer. Loves his students, and goes out of his way to help you understand. 5 point quiz after every class period, 4 tests and a final. Easy as long as you do the readings. Be cautious about asking or answering a question unless it's well thought out - he may ridicule you for a stupid question/answer. Still love the guy.
Great class which teaches you a lot. Despite what people have said, I have never taken a class of his where "half the class is lost". If you are smart, organized, and have a desire to do well, you can and will get an A. If you do not try, you will do poorly. Not easy, but a great class, the best psych class by far at Truman.
Dr. Schaffer is very personable and makes this class less painful than it feels like will be. He is a very organized professor and is incredibly supportive of his students! I would definitely recommend him as an instructor.
His passion for the subject really shows. 5 point quizzes at the end of each class are very do-able if you pay attention during class, and are a good grade booster. Take detailed notes, read the textbook, and you will have no problem doing very well!
Dr. Shaffer knows everything about the subject! He's great during lecture and very interesting. His tests are very hard because of the amount of material that you have to know but you certainly learn a lot!
This class is difficult, but is very obviously Dr. Shaffer's favorite to teach. He is a fantastic professor and You will learn a LOT. All the test and quiz material comes from the book, and it's dense, but very interesting. Take him if you want to learn concepts that will probably be relevant throughout your life.
Go to class. YOU NEED TO GO TO CLASS. Do the extra credit. It will SAVE your grade Take the practice quizzestests. He pulls many of the questions for the actual quizzestests directly from the practice (true on the final too!) Lectures are fairly helpful if you can make yourself pay attention. Overall didn't really like Dr. Shaffer though
Psychopharm is one of the toughest classes in psychology, but it's also one of the most interesting. Read the textbook, start memorizing drugs and drug classes as soon as possible, and pay attention during lecture. I would around 60-65% of the material requires memorization which isn't difficult but just requires large amounts of time.
no help what so ever. will only refer you to a tutor. won't bump up a grade even if you work your hardest
If you're a bio-driven psych major take Shaffer's classes! If not, DON'T TAKE SHAFFER. Every aspect of the class is organized in the syllabus, from a weekly schedule to how many points you need to get an A. Have to do the reading and review before each class (always a quiz). Demanding, but put the work in and that A will feel so good. So, so good.
Dr. Shaffer has a real pride in his trade. Constantly tweaking and updating his material to ensure it's relevance and freshness. I have 3 shaffer classes under my belt and every single one was worth the money & time. He's a great guy (with a great sense of humor) who loves his job and does it at the highest level of quality and rigor you'll find.
435 pts - 32 quizzes (5), 4 exams (50), and a comprehensive final (75). Not an easy class. To make an "A" you really need to work for it. STUDY for those 5 point quizzes they add up. STUDY practice tests, quizzes , and book extensively for exams. Can take the final with a partner. DO EXTRA CREDIT- can save your grade. Does not like stupid answers.
Honestly you should just take this course over the summer online. His lectures added very little to the class. You essentially just memorize the entire textbook and take a quiz every class period. Pretty boring class with an uninspiring professor. I would not recommend the experience.
He teaches the material well but there is a quiz at the end of every class. I always read the book, which helped, but I only managed to get a B. There is a lot of extra credit. Tests are not bad if you review his practice tests. Same goes for the quizzes. He reuses a few questions from practice tests and quizzes.
Reading the material and spending the average time studying it will not be enough. Quizzes are not too bad but on tests he asks the most obscure and irrelevant questions form the texts.
This is a difficult class, but if you put in the effort to study notes and pay attention in lecture, you'll do fine. A quiz at the end of every class over what was discussed, not difficult. 4 MC tests and cumulative final you can take with a partner. Offers up to 20 points extra credit. He is very knowledgeable in this subject. Not a bad class!
There's a 5-pt quiz at the end of every class, but he pretty much goes over what will be on the quiz during class. I stopped reading the book midway through the semester because he covers literally the whole chapter during class. The material is boring, but it's a pretty easy class.
Shaffer was entirely lecture based, and very rude to students a few minutes late, even if b/c of another class. Does bring his dogs to class though, has daily quizzes, and up to 6 EC points. His fInal can be taken with a partner, and take notes!! Even though his lectures can be a tad boring.
200 slide power points. You have to read the book because he asks test questions that he doesn't talk about. Tests are all multiple choice but he asks the most obscure questions and some he never has talked about in class. Super boring class and a horrible lecturer. Rude. Treats students like children. Thinks his class is the most important.
His class was difficult, he made us take a 5 point quiz every class. Sometimes I felt absolutely lost. But he was always helpful when you asked for help. READ and study for the tests! Good professor nonetheless.
I highly recommend to avoid Dr. Shaffer at all costs. He has been an ignorant, rude, and disagreeable professor this entire semester. In addition to his difficult personality, he is a boring lecturer, is unclear with class expectations, and uses class time to discuss his personal life. Please save yourself the pain and take a different professor!
Very clear in how you will be graded during the semester. there is a quis every day of class but he clearly explains what will be in the quizzes right before taking it. I would definetely take him again.
This is not an easy A, but it's also not impossibly hard. The practice quizzes, lecture podcasts, learning objectives, and clash powerpoints really helped me to get a good grade. If you use your resources you can definitely get an A, you just have to be willing to study and apply yourself. Shaffer is a nice guy, although lectures can get boring.
Dr. Shaffer is great! I was intimidated by the class and shouldn't have been. Read the book and go through the resources he gives you and you won't have a problem. Grade consists of daily quizzes, 4 tests, and a final taken with a partner.
I did not like Dr. Shaffer at all. He makes an already difficult class even harder. There is so much information. The book was so hard to read, I didn't even use it after the first chapter. There is a quiz every day and you can't make them up. Do not miss class. He is also super political and tries to talk about Trump more than psychology.
I took the online version of this class, and it was pretty easy. The only hard part is that you only have 45 minutes to take the tests, so it can be a little stressful if you don't know all of the answers or are having internet problems. My best advice is to listen to the exam review podcasts because he'll say answers to test questions on there
I'm a senior and he was the worst professor I've ever had. Quiz every class period, really hard to get a 4 or 5 out of 5. Very easy to fail this class. Most students didn't do well. Tests are 35 points, and very specific one liners in the book. I highly recommend finding a different professor or class to take. Avoid Shaffer.
Dr. Schaffer was awesome! He did a great job at explaining concepts in the most practical way. Nearly every concept was related to the most recent research. The class was also low stress because every test was taken with a partner. Along with that he gave study guides, kahoots, and practice tests. I learned a lot more with less effort.
So boring. So Monotonous. Did not pay attention in class at all and still got a B. Easy setup of class. Quiz every single day. He gives good reviews for the tests. Beware how you approach him, he can be very rude sometimes.
The GOAT
Shaffer is a nice enough guy, but a bad professor. Doesn't actually teach, just assigns chapters and tests over obscure passages that he thinks are obvious. Most of the material is about nerves and body chemistry, very little actual psychology. Dry, technical. Shaffer is in his own little world while his students struggle. Expect to teach yourself
Not my favorite. Daily pop quizzes.
Dr. Shaffer is one of the most genuine people you will ever meet. Cares very much about his students and his research. Sends out weekly updates on his life and notes of encouragement to his students.
He is a very smart man, but very dry. He's not great. When I asked how to improve on difficult concepts, I did not get help. Instead, he gave conflicting advice about my progress. By the way, Biofeedback Tutor alone is not a great way to learn. Use the options on BB too. Good luck!
Some people love Dr. Shaffer because he seems like a kind person. However, when it comes down to it, he does not actually care about helping his students succeed. He will not hesitate to fail you for reasons out of your control. He does not help you understand content if you are struggling. He does not provide any accommodations if you need them.
This is no doubt the driest psychology class at Truman, and that is saying something. Dr. Shaffer is notoriously rigid with his students, and will not help you if you need it. Some people who just go to lecture like him, but from what I can gather, anyone who actually interacts with him ends up hating him, so that says something.
I recommend staying away from his class He's fine as a person, but this class feels impossible. We're only graded based on tests and daily quizzes, and the tests are pretty hard because its 90% TF with big words you do not know. His lectures are dry and there is not any organization with slides, he just teaches out of the textbook he wrote.
The longer I am in this class the more I hate it. It is almost impossible to study and learn in this class. The material is way too much cuz he wrote his own textbook and doesn't specify what you need to know. Online materials are unorganized and there are no slides. I am a straight A student with a C in this class. Class is unenjoyable.
He is too smart to be teaching, and he gets off on being the smartest person in the room. All grades are based on tests and daily quizzes. It's not impossible, but just be prepared.
Dr. Shaffer is so open-minded and incredibly experienced in his field. He cares about his students and really cares about the material he teaches. I 100% would take a class with him again.
5 question quiz every class and you get a 0 if you skip (they're easy though). READ THE TEXTBOOK, even if you don't want to; many people failed the tests because they didn't read. Take notes on the reading and in class (even if his lectures are boring and off topic). Take the practice quizzes/tests.
Dr. Shaffer was an amazing professor. I had him a couple years ago and during this time he was diagnosed with cancer. He remained positive and continued to share his love for psychology with his students. There is a quiz everyday in his courses but he literally gives you the answers at the beginning of the class period. Get ready to read though!
Dr. Shaffer locks quizzes (at the end of every class) with a password so you have to be there to take them. They're 5 points each but they add up quick. You get to drop your lowest, but you better have a doctor's note if you want to skip any more. He adores the textbook, so read it if you want to do well on quizzes/exams. Anything could be on there
Shaffer really cares about his students, he wants the best and sometimes this means being direct and blunt, however, he is funny and when contacted will do his best to help.
The information he provided was put in context, you could apply what you learn and carry it with you.
Dr. Shaffer is a great professor, all of the grading comes from multiple choice tests and daily quizzes. He's a very sweet guy. His lectures are a little boring but if you are actually interested in the material you get drawn back in. Overall, he's my favorite professor I've ever taken
His lectures are boring, I'm not going to lie. But if you make even just a little effort to pay attention during class, you will do fine.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
88%
Textbook Required
0%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Declining
-1.37 avg changeRatings by Course
EXPPSYCH266
5.0
(1)EXPPSYC
5.0
(1)PYSC266
5.0
(1)PSYC1
5.0
(1)PSYCH430
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
321
4.5
PSYCH334
4.5
PSYCH321
4.3
EXPPSYCH266
4.0
PSYC1
4.0