This module will set modern psychology in its historical and philosophical context. Key scientific ideas and perspectives will be introduced and then applied specifically to psychology. No previous experience of history or philosophy will be assumed.
The content of the module will include historical perspectives of prominent individuals on science and psychology (eg., Donders, Wundt, Ebbinghaus, James, Freud, and Jung) and also broader philosophical movements (eg., rationalism, empiricism). Having established such historical issues, contemporary issues in philosophy of psychology will be developed (eg., reductionism and biological explanation, realism/anti-realism, modularity, free will and determinism, consciousness and the mind-body problem). Workshops will serve to consolidate the lecture material, providing opportunities for students to apply principles and ideas learned in the lectures to worked examples in psychological theory and practice. A central aim of the module is to allow students to develop their critical analysis skills.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
This module will be delivered through 22 three-hour lectures each composed of a keynote lecture followed by an interactive session. The keynote lecture will introduce topics while the interactive sessions will allow students to consolidate the lecture information and discuss some of the issues which arise from it, using video material, discussions in small groups, large group debates, etc.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Interactive lecture | 66 |
| Guided independent study | Critical evaluation of lecture material and independent study | 234 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The module will be assessed summatively by three 30-item MCQ tests throughout the year. Formative assessment will include practice MCQ questions during the lectures which will be peer-marked. Students will also be given topics and questions to revise; during the lectures, relevant readings will be discussed to answer these questions. These discussions will feed forward in preparation for the MCQ tests.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate an understanding of some of the key conceptual, philosophical and historical developments relevant to psychology | Formatively throughout lecture activities and summatively through MCQ tests |
| Evaluate the relevance of historical events and philosophical concepts to current issues in psychology | Formatively throughout lecture activities and summatively through MCQ tests |
| Situate psychology and psychological thought in an historical and philosophical context | Formatively throughout lecture activities and summatively through MCQ tests |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| EXT | In class MWC test | 20 |
| EXT | in class MQC test 2 | 40 |
| EXT | 40 | |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS a requirement that the major category of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module
Leahey, T. H. (2004). A history of psychology: Main currents in psychological thought (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Pinker, S. (1997). How the Mind Works. New York: W W Norton and Co.
Searle, J. (2004). Mind: A Brief Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Robinson, D. (1995). An Intellectual History of Psychology. Wisconsin: The University of Wisconsin Press.
Details of additional weekly required reading will be provided on Study Space.