4.5
Quality1.8
Difficulty96%
Would Retake83
Reviews96%
Would Retake
83
Reviews
Rating DistributionOfficial
5
58
4
16
3
8
2
1
1
0
What Students Say
“Frieden is an amazing professor”
PSY310 - 5.0 rating“I loved professor Frieden”
PSY302 - 5.0 ratingClass Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
38%
Textbook Required
0%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.26 avg changeRatings by Course
312
5.0
(1)318
5.0
(1)PSY373
5.0
(2)LOTS
5.0
(1)SEXDEV
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
SPSYC
3.0
PSYCH318
3.0
PSYCH314
3.0
PSYC791IPT
3.0
PSYC314
2.5
Reviews (83)
really easy professor, seems like a nice guy, talks really quiet though
One of the most helpful teachers on campus. Very clear in objectives for learning and what will be on tests.
Soothing. Relaxed. Easygoing. Makes research methods bearable. Practially hands you the test beforehand to study with. Fair grader.
Best professor on this campus...at least one of the very few
laid back and relaxed prof. with a lot to say, and is pretty funny sometimes. got some good stories to tell. recommend particularly for Developmental and Human Sex. the anonymous questionaire thingy is pretty amusing.
I think that Professor Frieden is one of the best professors I have ever had...he is so easy to talk to...I try to take all of my psych classes with him
Frieden is very very easy and super nice, but he can get really boring at times. He has powerpt. from the book and reads straight from that for his lectures. But an easy A! I would say take him!!!
Took him for abnormal, human sex, and developmental. You can definately get an A with him if you put in a little effort. He is so chill (Must be cause he is an adjunt). Tells lots of stories about when he was in private practice.
Frieden is awesome. His courses are ALWAYS interesting subjects and he is very easy to follow. You never have to worry about what is going to be on his test... go to class and do his review sheets and you're set!
I had Frieden for Abnormal, His & sysytems and Research Methods. He definitely helped my GPA. His classes are interesting and his exams are super easy.
People always talk about how easy he is. I dont think it is that he is easy, so much as that he is clear about what he wants from you. He would never come in and just ramble and then test you on his rambles later. This type of clarity is so rare in academia! He has a plan and you will learn a lot!
also had him for personality theory; I found him to be a very kind person but pretty boring; had him early in the morning and tended to fall asleep; but he really seems to care about his students and loves to share personal stories; tests were pretty straightforward but I dreaded all the essays
A waste of tuition. Not in the slightest bit engaging. I'm surprised he's talked up so much as an excellent professor. He's easy, and he's very nice, but the man will never challenge you. But hey, ask him before exams and he'll tell you what's on them.
class is powerpoints, but to make it a full 'lecture' he reads from the book - literally, whole paragraphs/pages! c'mon, i can stay at home and read the book and not wake up so early in the morning. he's a nice person, but not a very dynamic prof.
I took this class to get an A and that was just the icing. I enjoyed engaging in odd topics off Ask Alice. The m/c questions are easy enough, just make sure you write up some notes for the essay because your grade depends on what others have! Overall good time!
Wonderful prof. I've never had a class at 8 that was worth getting up for....He makes the class interesting and you can tell he really loves to teach.
He is the professor all the developmental/sexuality folks want to have. Anyway, because social psychology isn't his realm, he reads the book at least three or four times each class, and we always watch The Human Zoo with Zimbardo.
Basically, uses the cd that comes with the book to teach the course. Always unprepared. Boring. Completely agree with the male chauvinist comment.
He's very nice and genuine. There's only a midterm and a final, so they are a bit stressful. He doesn't actually lecture about what he tests on, his lectures are mostly personal stories. You have to read the book very thoroughly. And despite the often-heard "porn in the morn," it's tamer than you'd think.
He is a really nice person who really cares about his students. His classes tend to be easier than other prof, but you still have to go to class and have to read the book well. Class is somewhat boring, but he does take attendance.
very nice prof, def recommend him. Interesting videos and lectures (mostly personal stories) although going to class may not help on a test, it is interesting. I got out of bed at 8am looking forward to class. Skim the book and do the practice test on the CD and youll get an A, no problem.
Frieden is a nice guy - ignore all the chauvinist comments; he's not, he just passes on information that could be interpreted that way. Only one midterm and one final both of which focus MOSTLY on the book - nitpicky multiple choice questions. He does give you the essays ahead of time! Offers a written assignment if you bomb the midterm.
Great guy, lectures are always the same, but they're not that boring. tests take a lot of preparation because there are only 2 and they cover a lot of chapters. he gives you the essay questions ahead of time which takes further preparation. kinda a difficult class because you have to invest lots of time, but it was a good class
Really nice guy! Interesting videos, stories, and activities. Sometimes a little boring, but for the most part I really enjoyed this class. An A- or B+ on the test is no prob but an A is challenging. Read the book, prepare for the essays. Only two exams so devote at least a day or two to studying! I would def take another class with him.
Professor Friedan is really awesome. I think a lot of people go into the class thinking that it is really easy. But you have to read the book and go to class in order to do well on the essays. There is a midterm and a final. Friedan also offers an optional paper after the midterm. It is an interesting class and he is certainly a good guy.
Interesting material and lectures, he mainly lectures from the book and relies on a website called "Ask Alice" alot, which is annoying because you could just look at it yourself as opposed to going to class. He takes attendance for extra credit at the end of the semester. Only 2 exams based on the book and in-class videos, so study hard for them!
This is not a difficult class, but I find professor Frieden to be a little frustrating. I don't have much patience when I have to be there at 8:00 am in the morning and he stands around for 15 minutes asking if anyone has questions (no one ever does).
Best professor I?ve had at the school. He really cared about the students and the topic. Smart, nice, and funny.
I've had Professor Frieden for two classes now, and I absolutely love him. Easily one of the best professors at W&M. He always seems to teach ridiculously early in the morning, but it was totally worth going to class. All of the essays (which he gives you ahead of time) are from lecture. Also, he's a total fox.
2 midterms 40 m/c and 2 essays. gives the questions ahead of time. takes a while to study for tests but that is all the class requires. opt. paper. get 1 pt to final grade for going to class. book helps clarify material but don't need it with notes. nice guy. take PRESONALITY THEORY
Difficult to evaluate. He clearly goes far out of his way to not offend anyone, which is good since this is a mine field. Probably helped some people a great deal, probably made things too slow for others. Tries (and mostly succeeds) in teaching the subject and not his views. Overall, good job: one of only 2 classes I did NOT hate this semester.
Took his Fsem. When he is using a text book the class is bearable (though he teaches exclusively 8AMs) but once it becomes "article and discuss" it becomes remarkably boring. Tests are easy because he gives the questions in advance. He doesn't take class input.
This is probably the easiest seminar you could find. Professor Frieden is really nice. Not much work - reading one book, and bringing in articles/videos. Interesting subject, uses more real world examples than boring theoretical nonsense. Tests are easy with the study guide, not hard to get an A. Discussions were a bit lacking, but it was an 8am.
Took Sexuality with him MWF @8am. It was a pretty easy class overall but your entire grade comes from just TWO exams (multiple choice and essay) and some points for attendance. He took attendance EVERYDAY and you couldn't miss more than three classes without penalty. Class was mostly discussion based.
Abnormal Psych with Frieden was great. Material is interesting. There are only two exams or an optional paper plus the two exams. Class is mostly video-based and lecture. Frieden stops and asks for questions a lot. He can get a little monotonous at times, but he's a really nice guy. If you like a chill, simple class, this is for you.
Very clear about expectations and likes to tell really interesting stories about his clinical practice. I really like his class!
Had him twice this semester,, one of the nicest professors you'll have. Always willing to help with anything you have questions with. Class format is 1 midterm and 1 final with 1 optional paper, straight forward and pretty easy if you study off his powerpoints (which pretty closely follow the book). Very interesting classes, lots of relevant video!
One of the best professors I've ever taken. Extremely passionate and knowledgable about the subject, Frieden brings insight from his own private practice which makes the content come alive. Very understanding and cares about his students. Social Psych was the best psych class I've taken-applicable, extremely engaging material. Highly recommend!
Frieden does a great job of explaining the topics we go over. Because he's a therapist, his personal anecdotes and life experience really sets his class above other classes. He's funny, very personable and approachable. I recommend this to anyone who wants to understand human interactions and be treated as an equal, not a child.
Class content is very interesting. The videos are dated and some are entertaining. Attend class with a good night's sleep because his voice is soothing. I recommend tape recording the video material so you have content to write the essays on the exams with.
Human Sexuality. Great professor. He consistently asks if students have questions or don't understand a topic before moving on, and tells you exactly what's important know. Exams are easy if you go to class, read the textbook, and plan the essays ahead of time. Do these things and an A is definitely attainable.
Very nice professor. Very considerate about not offending people, and open to students' thoughts. He did seem to push his liberal agenda at times though. Also, he sometimes lets a few students dominate way too much of class time, which is really such a waste of time. Too much digressions. Apart from that, very caring/warm professor. Recommend.
Dr. Frieden is the best professor I have had so far in my PhD program. He is an expert in his area but his teaching style is humble and collaborative. He tailored course content to the goals of the class and fostered insightful discussions. I found the assigned readings so helpful that I will be re-reading some of them in the near future.
Much the same of what everyone else is saying. Great guy, very clear, easy tests (if you attend), but can be a bit of a dry class. Gives a lot of great anecdotes that help because he is a practicing doctor and has treated almost all of the disorders discussed in class. Midterm and final exam, nothing surprising. Gives an optional essay option.
I loved taking abnormal psych with Prof Frieden! Such a fascinating class--he often incorporates his own anecdotes from his experience as a therapist, and plays videos to help us understand what various symptoms of disorders look like. Not many opportunities for grades (2 tests, one optional essay) but very straightforward if you read the textbook!
A clear, funny, and incredibly kind expert. He frequently references his experiences as a clinical psychologist, which very effectively illustrates the concepts he teaches. He will surprise you with his wit and warmth and he sincerely tries to make 8 a.m. a happy time.
Attendance is mandatory, but you will wanna show up anyway, because tests are based entirely on lecture material, and because he has fascinating anecdotes, and is just overall a very kind and pleasant man. The downside is there aren't many chances for grades (1 midterm, 1 final, 1 optional paper), and he's only available by appointment.
This has been my favorite class in three years at the college. The lectures use videos and stories by professor Frieden, which is different but is interesting and serves the purpose of the class well. He cares about how students do so make sure to ask him for help!
Professor Frieden is a born professor. He gives things context with examples from his personal and professional experience as a clinician. As others have noted, he is truly amiable and modest, despite his clear expertise. This class is very manageable, and therefore all the more enjoyable. Just be sure to actually purchase and read the book.
I would love to take another class with prof Frieden, he is so chill and he made it easy to wake up and go to 8am class...i actually looked forward to it! His tests are very straight forward, doesnt trick and all the questions are right from the notes (which he gives you) he is the bomb def take his class! he teaches for fun, that says it all :)
Dr. Frieden is the sweetest man with lots of interesting stories related to the topic. Personality theory entirely depended on two exams, but they were easy as long as you came to class and skimmed the readings.
Professor Frieden in absolutely wonderful. Sexuality was my second class with him and as always, his lectures were definitely worth going. Tests are very fair. For a subject which could potentially be awkward or difficult at times, Frieden was always professional, engaging, and knowledgeable. One of the best and most enjoyable classes I've taken.
Frieden was probably my favorite professor of freshmen year. He is an unbelievably sweet and genuine soul, who made an 8am Personality Psychology class enjoyable to go to. On top of that, I don't think I could have found a professor more willing to answer questions. I would recommend him to anyone.
Its worth waking up at 8am to get an A! Literally just chill on your computer; do other work or check tumblr; all the info is in the course pack he gives the first day of class. No work; rare take home quizzes, minimal reading (just skim), straightforward tests, lenient grader, understanding human being, sweet man. 1 pt EC given if miss 3 classes
Frieden is a remarkably thoughtful professor who genuinely cares about his students. His anecdotes help make the concepts relevant and easier to understand. Three tests, all of which are fairly easy if you study the notes. PowerPoints are a little hard to read due to the color scheme, but other than that, it's a great class and a solid elective.
I loved professor Frieden! Developmental was my favorite class last semester. Very clear lectures and tests. You're only tested on each chapter once, and the final isn't cumulative. Overall great prof, would definitely take again!
By far the best course I have EVER taken at W&M. He did an outstanding job of making everyone feel comfortable; no one felt shy, ashamed, or embarrassed. My only regret is that I wish I could have attended more of his classes! He is incredibly respectful, understanding, and patient. JUST TAKE THE CLASS!! You won't regret it!
Looks almost exactly like Peter Bogdanovich! Seriously, though. A really friendly professor with a lot of interesting stories. Tests are fairly easy if you study the notes and the textbook, and he also provides extra credit. Very receptive to student questions and does a wonderful job simplifying complex topics in great detail. Highly recommended.
He enjoys teaching but spends little time preparing lectures and is clearly out of touch with current research in personality theory, spending time on outdated theory. Going to class doesn't help much grade-wise because he picks very obscure material for his multiple choice tests, anyway. Read the book, beware of tricky questions. A- if study hard.
Frieden is one of the best psychology professors I've had. Very knowledgable, friendly, and open to student concerns. Grade is made up of 3 tests and he offers easy opportunities for extra credit. He provides study guides for the essay portions of the test which are helpful for preparing and doing well.
Frieden obviously cares a ton about his students and is very accommodating. You receive lecture notes at the beginning and he just reads off those so no need to go to class except for extra credit. You can read the textbook but can still get an A w/o reading it. Tests are pretty easy but I found this class boring. It's entirely lectures.
Graded by only three tests. Super easy, as long as you have the course pack then you'll be fine. You use the textbook for some questions but he'll tell you the class before what to focus on and what essays will most likely be on the test. Likes to make jokes which is nice because he usually teaches 8 AMs and it makes it less boring.
Dr. Frieden is an amazing professor! I took Human Sexuality with him this summer, and he made taking a summer class fun and totally worth it! He is dedicated to helping his students succeed. There were some days that I was sick and he came in to class 30 minutes early next time to go over things I missed. If you can, TAKE A CLASS WITH HIM!
I took Sexuality over the summer, so the grade for the class was only based on 2 tests (plus an optional essay if you chose to do that) but the tests are super easy if you prepare. Hes clear on what he wants you to know, too, so you dont really feel lost while youre studying
proffesor fridien is a kind and friendly teacher,the class really change my attitude towards psychology,if i have a chance i would try to choose his class again
Makes an 8 am class worthwhile, is very understanding. Tests are fair and based mostly on lecture material, would definitely take a class with him again!
Personality theory w Frieden was very low difficulty, Frieden is cool and offers personal stories working as a psychologist, class requires some outside reading, 3 exams total (final is cumulative I think) - multiple choice and short essay (he gives you a list of essay questions beforehand and then puts a few of those on the actual exam)
Dr. Frieden is a real gem, and has a very quirky sense of humor that brightens up the entire room. Additionally, taking development psychology with him was a breeze as long as you did the assigned readings, and payed attention in lecture.
Prof. Frieden is so kind and knowledgeable about what hes teaching. Developmental psych was super easy and there are 4 tests, MC and essays worth 40 and 60 points. Tests were open note and as long as you attend some of the lectures and skim the textbook, youll be fine. He offers extra credit if you need it, but i doubt you will. Ref recommend!
Loved Professor Friedens class! I took developmental. There's not many grades but his exams are open note. With Covid he recorded lectures so you didn't need to go to class at the assigned time, but there is one assignment due at the end of the semester which includes things discussed in class not on the slides, so you'd need to watch them anyway.
Prof. Frieden is a sweetheart, but his class is rather boring. Over Zoom, he just reads over the lecture slides, so a lot of students just stopped attending the sessions. 3 tests, 1 final, all open notes and rather easy. You also do a video log where you write a summary of each video we watched in class. Interesting content and easy A, but boring.
Okay, so Professor Friedan's lectures r definitely a bit slower because he talks in a southern drawl but it's nice to not have to rush through taking notes, so I don't think it was that bad. He's the sweetest professor & very caring! Class was online bc of Covid, tests were open notes. Definitely read the textbook, q's on tests r pulled from it.
He is such a sweet man. Very textbook based - all exams and lectures come from it. Some information is a little dated - especially the videos, but he is willing to learn from his students. Has a lot of wild and interesting stories being a psychologist throughout his career.
Rick is kind and cares about his students. Not the greatest lecturer - talks slowly and reads off the PowerPoints (which were created by the textbook and a little dated), but he does have anecdotes or prompts for the class. Exams are on the text, but he has study guides so you don't have to read. 4 exams, extra credit. Everything recorded & posted
He is so sweet and please laugh at his jokes even if they're not funny. He checks in during each lecture to make sure everyone's following. He does talk a little slow and likes to tell stories, but the information is always posted after each lecture.
All tests were based off the textbook. Class time was dedicated to more interesting content, lots of videos and fun topics. Posts all lectures on BB, so you can look back at anytime. Friendly and caring professor, tries his best to engage class. Has an extra credit assignment that counts for an entire exam to help boost your grade. Lovely Professor
I went to this class in person maybe 5 times. He does Zooms for every class and also records them and posts to Blackboard, which I liked to listen to while I wrote down the vocab. A sweet, Birkenstock-wearing therapist who you would never guess teaches this class. The important class I may ever take.
Professor Frieden is awesome. He is incredibly knowledgeable and makes a class that could be super miserable incredibly interesting! You should 100% take this course. Tests are hard but if you study the textbook, you will do just fine. Super straightforward lecture/exam but with a friendly professor who cares!
posts all his lectures and slides on blackboard and I only went to class a few times. he also zooms for every class. his powerpoints are a little old, but he really cares about his students' opinions and tries to make the information interesting. so unassuming demeanor but super sweet and kind. will tell stories from his practice as examples!
Love love love. Such a nice person & prof, always available for help. Extra credit offered. Entertaining lecturer.
class is fairly easy, he reads directly off the slides so you don't really need to go, but i went because he was such a nice and fun prof that i just wanted to go to his class. 4 exams, 2 take home/open note, 2 in person, all 4 are very straight forward just review with the notes and text book! also give extra credit which is helpful!
Can't recommend this class enough! He embraces the awkwardness of the subject matter, and genuienly does his best to understand all perspectives! Tests are purely from the textbook (powerpoints alone don't cover it), so if you have good textbook notes, you will be fine. It's an early morning class, but he makes being in person so worth it.
Prof. Freiden was great! The class was at 8 a.m., which was tough, but attendance isn't graded, and he offers Zoom for every session. I really enjoyed the material and appreciated the cool personal stories he shared from his experience as a therapist.
Class Info
Online Classes
100%
Attendance Mandatory
38%
Textbook Required
0%
Grade Predictor
Your expected effort level
Predicted Grade
A-
Grade Distribution
Common Tags
Rating Trend
Improving
+0.26 avg changeRatings by Course
312
5.0
(1)318
5.0
(1)PSY373
5.0
(2)LOTS
5.0
(1)SEXDEV
5.0
(1)Difficulty by Course
SPSYC
3.0
PSYCH318
3.0
PSYCH314
3.0
PSYC791IPT
3.0
PSYC314
2.5