Psy 421: Systems and Theories of Psychology
TTh 12:30-1:50, Park 250, Fall 1998

 

SYLLABUS

Instructor: Erwin M. Segal

e-mail:  segal@acsu.buffalo.edu
Phone: (716) 645-3650 ext 361
Office: 361 Park Hall
Office hours: Wed. 10-12

Text : Connections in the History and Systems of Psychology. B. Michael Thorne and Tracy B. Henley, 1997. New York: Houghton Mifflin

        In this course we examine some of the ideas that have shaped psychology. The approach that we take is a historical one. Basically, we will tell a story about psychological concepts (and methods). As long as there has been civilization, people have been interested in how we know, perceive, and feel, and why we do what we do. The scientific study of psychology is continuous with this history. We will try to understand why beliefs were held, and how they developed. We study where concepts began, how different concepts interrelate and form systems, and how particular systems developed and changed as a function of interactions with new ideas, conceptual analyses, social contexts and data. The course should be both interesting and worthwhile. It should enable you to get a more integrated view of psychology, and more of a sense of what psychology is as a discipline and a science.

        The textbook (CHSP) is quite good. It contains more than enough topics to fill a semester, and there are pretty good presentations of many of them. The topic sequence of the course will be determined primarily by CHSP although we will spend more time on some than on others and additional topics may be introduced. Thus there there are likely to be reading assignments in addition to those in CHSP. You are expected to read the assigned material prior to their discussion in class. Many of the topics that we discuss are among the most influential ideas in the history of civilization, and often require some mulling over to appreciate. There isn't enough time in class to discuss all of the important people and ideas we read about, so if there are issues you particularly wish to discuss, it is your responsibility to introduce them into a discussion. Class time should be spent in clarification, discussion and drawing relationships, as well as in the presentation of new ideas.

        Class requirements include writing a paper, and taking a midterm and a final exam. The purpose of the paper is to give you an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of a seminal topic in the history of psychology and to present your understanding in a coherent and literate manner. The paper should show evidence of an ability to integrate your own thoughts with ideas found in the literature. Sources of possible topics are the headings and subheadings of chapters, the Glossary of Terms in the back of the book, or from other sources. Your course grade will be based primarily on the written assignments (Approximately 30% midterm, 30% term paper, 40% final), but contributory discussion may be considered.

Note: "If you have a disability (physical or psychological) and require reasonable accommodations to enable you to participate in this course, such as note takers, readers, or extended time on exams and assignments, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 25 Capen Hall, 645-2608, and also me during the first two weeks of class. ODS will provide you with information and review appropriate arrangements for reasonable accommodations."

CHAPTER and TOPIC SEQUENCE

Chapter 1--Introduction Foundational issues of psychology. The role of history, the nature of science, the mind-body problem. nativism vs. empiricism, holism and reductionism

Chapter 2--Introduction of many important ideas and some of the ancient Greek philosophers associated with them. Hippocrates, Plato, Aristotle, and others

Chapter 3--The middle ages, the renaissance and the new science, Vesalius, Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Descartes, Newton, et al. Nativism and Descartes' analysis and influence.

Chapter 4--Empiricism, mechanism, associationism, and common sense philosophy.

Chapter 5--Rationalism, positivism, and Romanticism.

Chapter 6--Nineteenth Century physiological psychology and psychophysics.

Chapter 7--Voluntarism and Structuralism--Wundt and Titchener

Chapter 8--Other important nineteenth century European psychological thought.

Chapter 9--Evolution, hereditary differences, and early animal psychology.

Chapter 10--Influential early American psychological thought.

Chapter 11--Functionalism.

Chapter 12--Classical Behaviorism

Midterm Exam--Approximately October 15
Study questions for exam

Chapter 13--Neobehaviorism

Chapter 14--Gestalt Psychology

Chapter 15--Psychoanalysis

Chapter 16--Existential and humanistic psychology

Chapter 17--Modern physiological psychology

Chapter 18--Intelligence testing and other psychometrics

Chapter 19--Social psychology

Chapter 20--Cognitive psychology

Final Exam --Dec. 21, 11:45 am -2:45 pm
                    Norton 209


Guidelines for the paper.

 

            Content

1. The topic should be on a theme central to some part of psychology.Sources of possible topics are the headings and subheadings of chapters, the Glossary of Terms in the back of the book, or from other sources.
2. The paper should include a discussion of the historical influences of the topic
3. The paper should include a description of the central concepts of the topic.
4. The paper should identify what the current status of the topic is.
                 Form 1. The paper should be typed and checked for spelling and grammatical errors.
2. The sentences should coherently flow and be written in competent prose.
3. Direct quotes must cite source and page numbers.
4. The paper must include a list of references at the end of the paper which includes all of your sources. This should be in APA format, which means including author(s) date of publication, title of article, book or chapter, (if journal article--volume number and page numbers) (if book--city and publisher), (if book chapter--editor(s) and book citation).