Psychology 306
HISTORY OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY
Spring 2006
 
Instructor: Art Warmoth
Tuesday 1-4:40
Stevenson 3046
 
Course Description: This course is intended to provide "foundational knowledge" (K. Bruffee, 1993) in the field of psychology, particularly in the areas of psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and Gestalt psychology.
The course is divided into four study units as follows:
1. FOUNDATIONS (3 weeks). Introduction to the concepts of "foundational
knowledge" and "collaborative learning." What is "foundational knowledge? Why and how is it important? A brief introduction to the foundations of modern psychology in Greek philosophy and in turn-of-the-century structuralism and functionalism.
2. BEHAVIORISM ("Objectivity") (3 weeks). The behaviorisms of Clark Hull, E. C. Tolman, and B. F. Skinner. Behavior therapy and behavior modification. Positivistic epistemology and philosophy of science.
3. PSYCHOANALYSIS ("Subjectivity") (4 weeks). The basic psychoanalytic theory of Sigmund Freud. An overview of the major offshoots from and currents within Freudian psychoanalysis.
4. GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY & PHENOMENOLOGY ("Intersubjectivity" & Systems Thinking) (2 weeks). The Gestalt psychology of Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka and Wolfgang Köhler. The tenuous relationship between Gestalt psychology & Gestalt therapy. The close relationship between Gestalt psychology and phenomenology/ constructivist epistemology.
5. CONTEMPORARY TRENDS & ISSUES ( 3 week s).  Research on the history and contemporary status of topics selectedby students. Class presentations orterm papers.  Optional textbook chapters on cognitive psychology & humanistic psychology.
 
Goals of the Course: Students will be expected to consider the foundational knowledge they need for their career goals and to demonstrate an understanding of and ability to use the basic concepts of psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and Gestalt psychology. They will also be expected to develop basic collaborative learning skills and to participate in a group presentation related to one of these core areas for the entire class.

Competencies:
  • Library research, including on-line searches & annotated bibliographies
  • Written expression: essays using APA reference format
  • Reading and "information guerrilla" skills
  • Collaborative learning
  • Oral presentation (group) Project planning and organization
  • Ability to use basic concepts (as indicated in Study Guides for each part of the course)
  • An understanding of the historical context and major figures in psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and Gestalt psychology 
Brief Course Overview
Part 1. Orientation (3 weeks).
Assigned film, readings:
Introduction to Psy 306 (Art Warmoth)
Psychology in Greek Philosophy (Victorr Daniels)
The first psychology laboratory: Wilhelm Wundt
Structuralism: E. B. Titchener
Functionalism: William James, J. R. Angell
James Burke, It Started With the Greeks (film)
Library research: The field of psychology
Part 2. Behaviorism & Social Engineering (3 weeks). Behaviorist/positivist philosophy of science: "the black box." What Hull, Tolman and Skinner put in the black box. All psychologists are social engineers.
Assigned Readings: Clark Hull, E. C. Tolman, B.F. Skinner
                                From B.F. Skinnner. Walden Two& Beyond Freedoma and Dignity.

Library research: Textbook accounts of behaviorism and neo-behaviorism

Part 3. Psychoanalysis, Depth Psychology (4 weeks). Freud and the founding of psychoanalysis. Adler, Jung and the neo-Freudians. Contemporary developments.
Film: Fanny and Alexander (Ingmar Bergman)
Assigned readings: Selections by Jung, Adler,  Horney and Fromm
                                Sigmund Freud. Five Essays on Psychoanalysis
Library Research: Selected topics in psychoanalysis and depth psychology.
Part 4. Phenomenology & Gestalt Psychology (2 weeks).  The problem of knowledge and the philosophical foundations of psychology: subjectivity vs. objectivity, intersubjectivity.  Phenomenology & Gestalt psychology.
Assigned readings:
Clark Moustakas. "Transcendental Phenomenology" from Phenomenology, Science and Psychotherapy
B. R. Hergenhahn. Ch. 14, Gestalt Psychology, from An Introduction to the History of psychology
Part 5.  Contemporary Trends & Issues (Cognitive Science  & Humanistic Psychology) ( 3 weeks)Perception and cognition. The problem of knowledge and the philosophical foundations of psychology: subjectivity vs. objectivity, intersubjectivity.
Optional Readings: Textbook chapters on cognitive psychology & humanistic psychology

Library research: Research on the history and contemporary status of topics selected by students.