Psychology 472.01 History and Systems of Psychology

Fall, l999

Mary Kay Reed

Office: A 309, 815-1524

Email: mreed@ycp.edu

Home: 717-993-9009

Office Hours: MWF 10 – 11; T 1 - 3

Description: This course is an analysis of the historical background and present systems in the field of psychology. The course is a 400-level course and requires a background in psychology.

Objectives: An in-depth analysis of the major historical systems of psychology. An APA-style presentable paper will be completed on an historical topic. Papers will be presented to the class.

Text: Lundin, R. (1996). Theories and systems of psychology (5^th ed.). Lexington, MA: D.C. Heath and Co.

Other readings will be placed on reserve.

1. Readings as Assigned. Please attempt to read the assignments before class. This is essential for the discussion days.

 

2. Attendance - attendance will be taken on the discussion group days and during the presentations. Failure to attend class during these days will result in a subtraction of points.

 

3. Paper. Acquiring good writing skills is as important as learning content. The paper in this class is being viewed as a process. Students may work in groups of five – six. Each group will choose a topic from the attached sheet. Students will complete their own personal paper from the topic area. The individual paper topics must be approved if they are not on the suggested list. The group will work together to create a single volume on the topic. Each volume is to have an introductory statement and a conclusion. The papers must flow or be joined together. All papers must be completed in APA style. The papers are to be bound and should have an attractive cover and a table of contents. (Binding may be accomplished at Mailboxes or other businesses. Binding may also be done at the Behavioral Sciences Office in LS 315).

It is expected that each paper will be presentable both in quality and style. Students from previous years have presented their papers at the EPA conference. It is hoped that students from this class will chose to submit their paper for presentation.

1. Sept 3 will be an organization day. Student will choose their groups and potential topics.
2. By Sept 15, all groups will have selected their topics and the individual paper topics. It is assumed that this will be accomplished after a library search on possible resources has been completed.
3. Five professional sources for each paper will be submitted. The sources must be typed and should be in APA style. Each source should have a statement concerning the content of the source. The type of source will depend upon the paper topic. Not all sources will be in typical psychology journals. These are due Oct 1.
4. Drafts of the individual papers will be read, edited and revisions suggested by each member of the volume. The drafts will be typed and are due Oct 22. It is not expected that the drafts be in final form. A copy or disk of the draft is also to be submitted for the instructor.
5. Drafts are to be returned to the instructor with the editor’s name clearly on the draft by Nov 5. The instructor will return drafts to each group as soon as possible.
6. The final bound volumes are due December 3. With the bound volumes, each signed draft must be submitted.
7. The bound volumes will not be returned. Students are to keep a copy of their paper.

A Paper Day has been reserved for Oct 15. Please feel free to discuss the volume or individual papers with me at any time.

The individual paper is worth 200 points. The volume is worth 75 points. Editing is worth 25 points. Total 300 points.

1. Presentations: Each group will present their volume. The presentations are not to be a reading of the papers. The information should be presented in an informative and enjoyable manner. Overheads and other audiovisuals are expected. Lectures are not the only means of presentation. Debates may also be presented. The presentation dates are listed on the class schedule. Presentation dates must be scheduled with the instructor. Worth 100 points.

 

2. Discussion Groups. Five group discussions have been scheduled. Individuals will be assigned to groups. Each group will consist of five members. Readings will be placed on reserve. Students are to come prepared to ‘discuss’ the work(s). Every member of the group is to select one topic to "lead" the discussion. The discussions are worth 25 points. Attendance will be taken.

 

 

3. Tests. Two tests are scheduled. The first test will take place on October 20 and 22. The test will cover materials presented in lecture and in text until October 14. The test will be objective and essay. The test will be a series of choices. The second test will be identical except that it will take place on Dec 16 - 21. The second test will also include material presented in the presentations. The second test will not be intentionally cumulative. However, the nature of the material and the choice of topic presentation lend themselves to a cumulative element. Each test is worth 150 points. Total 300 points.

Total class points: 725 points All requirements must be completed. Failure to complete any of the requirements will result in a grade of 0.

Grading: Grades will be assigned according to the standard A = 90%, B=80%, etc.

Attendance: Attendance at class is not required. Attendance will be taken on discussion days and during the presentations. Total points will be reduced for lack of attendance on these days.

Lateness: Papers, tests and projects need to be completed on time.

Weather: Please listen to the local radio stations. Use common sense and good judgement.

Sept 1 Introduction to Class

Sept 3 Organization Day *

Sept 8 - 10 Science – Definitions and Considerations

Kuhn – "Scientific Revolution"

Chapter 1 – p. 1-18

Sept 13- 15 Pre-Scientific Psychology

Chapters 2 – 5; p. 19 – 74

Sept 17 – 22 Wundt, Titchener, Structuralism

Chapters 6-7; p. 75-101

Sept 24– 29 William James and Functionalism

Chapters 8-9; p.102-134

October 1 Discussion 1: William James *

Readings to be assigned

Oct 4 – 13 Psychoanalysis

Chapters 17-18; p.301-360

Oct 11 Discussion 2: Psychoanalysis *

Readings to be assigned

Oct 15 Paper Day

Oct 20 – 22 Test 1

Oct 25 – Nov 1 Behaviorism

Chapters 10,12,13; p.135-150, 166-235

Oct 29 Discussion 3: Behaviorism *

Readings to be assigned

Nov3 - 5 Gestalt Psychology

Chapters 14 – 15; p. 236-256

Nov 8 - 10 Cognitive Psychology

Chapter 16, p. 282-300

Nov 12 Humanism

Chapter 19, p. 361-377

Nov 15 Discussion 4: Humanism *

Reading to be assigned

Nov 17 Existentialism

Chapter 20, p. 378 – 390

Nov 19 Discussion 5: Existentialism *

Reading to be assigned

Nov 22 – Dec 6 Presentations *

To Be Scheduled with Instructor

Dec 8 Perspectives for the Future

Chapter 21, p. 391-397

Dec 10 - 13 Test 2

1. A Conversation With _________________

This volume would examine a contemporary psychologist’s contributions to psychology. The papers would present this person’s work, both scientific and advocacy. The paper presentation would involve a telephone conversation with this individual. The questions for the person will need to be approved by the faculty member.

 

2. Freud/Psychoanalysis

A number of possible volumes could be written. One could be a chronological presentation and analysis of Freud. A second could examine psychoanalysis in general. A third possibility is to consider the Heirs to Freud – Jung, Adler, Horney, Anna, Erikson, Rank, etc. A fourth could the legacy of Freud and Psychoanalysis. A fifth could be the validity of Psychoanalysis. Clearly, there are many possibilities.

 

3. Any of the major theories, Behaviorism, Humanism, Gestalt, etc., could be the topic just as in # 2.

 

4. Psychology and Eugenics

 

5. The nature/nurture controversy

 

6. Psychology and Popular publications. This would best be a decade by decade analysis.

 

7. History of Clinical Psychology. Many different topics could be investigated: institutionalization/deinstitutionalization; different treatment methods; psychopharmacology; etc. The talking therapies could also be addressed.

 

8. IQ Testing – beginnings, philosophy, WWI, impact on society and schools, changes through time, the future.

 

9. Any type of psychology – social, developmental, cognition. This could be a history of the people or the ideas.

 

10. Famous - Women, African Americans, Industrial, Feminist, Christian, etc.

 

11. Contributions of psychologists to: WWI, WWII, schools, parenting, pediatric medicine, etc.

 

12. Psychology myths – what these were and how they influenced psy and society

 

13. A collection of information – who was hospitalized for what and when

 

14. A comparison of several theories, individuals or ideas

Sept 3 Groups and Potential Topics

Sept 15 Report to Instructor Group and Individual Topics

Oct 1 Five Professional Sources in APA style

Oct 22 Typed Drafts and Copies

Nov 5 Edited and Signed Drafts Returned

Dec 3 Bound Volumes Due with Signed Drafts