Thursday, July 2, 2009

FINAL CLASS DAY & DROPPING LOWEST GRADE

TODAY IS MONDAY MORNING JULY 6, 2009

This post incorporates information from earlier posts.

Your assignment for class on Monday, July 6 is the following:

Read CH 6: Empiricism, Associationism, & Utilitarianism. This will be your QUIZ due Tuesday by 2PM. This will be your last QUIZ for Summer I and must be sent by the deadline. Grades are due at TSU by Wednesday.

Read BIZ CHS 7 & 8 for discussion.

BOTH QUIZ & BIZ assignments will arrive via new post by Friday, at noon. This will allow a head start for finishing ALL WORK BY Tuesday 2 PM.

DROPPING LOWEST GRADE POLICY

I have had a long tradition of dropped the lowest grade of the semester. I am prepared to continue that directive on the following conditions:

All students must attend our last class session today.

If you are happy with prior grades, you have the option of dropping all of the work--both biz & quiz assignments below. In class today, you give me a note saying, you opt out of the final quiz & biz assignments, but only if you're happy with your grades; otherwise, I will count both biz and quiz as your last grades and drop the lowest of all quizzes. (As you know, I expect all PSYCH MAJORS to complete all reading assignments as this is your career!

For those who want the final QUIZ & BIZ to count as a grade complete the following by TUESDAY...

Here's your BIZ Chapter essays:

BIZ CH 7: Rationalism

Preface: This chapter is about restoring faith in human knowledge after centuries of skepticism and church scholasticism; a priori knowledge is either 'reasoned speculation' BEFORE facts are known, or based upon facts per se that are common sense and anyone could understand, such as all bachelors are unmarried; these two components characterize rationalism's 'best guess' or 'best bet'. This is in contrast to empiricism's focus on experience as the 'true teacher' and most dependable agent of knowledge. Yet, both philosophical perspectives are interwoven in the philosophers and their philosophies presented in this chapter.

1. From page 146, explain how Descarte's famous saying, cogito ergo sum reflects a rationalistic perspective.

2. Spinoza disagreed with mind-body dualism of Descartes. In the second column, second full paragraph of page 149, summarize how the 'psychological' and physiological' represent sides of the same coin.

3. On page 158 under Contributions of Rationalism summarize in the paragraph beneath how restoring faith in human knowledge provided an intellectual foundation for 'new sciences' such as psychology.

BIZ CH 8: Mechanization & Quantification

Preface: Science cannot exist without quantification as 'weighing and measuring' is the reductionism demanded by science. Today, laboratory science is abased upon measurement: that is, measuring dependent variables based upon independent variables.

1. Descartes is viewed as the founder of modern philosophy. On bottom of page 165, second column to upper page 166 first column, choose two strong arguments of those presented that support his famous theories.

2. How significant to modern neuropsychology was the Bell-Magendie Law? See page 170 for details.

3. Discuss how Franz Joseph Gall's false start with 'faculties' localized in specific brain regions reflected in the shape of one's head, known as phrenology, led circuitously to the modern quest for understanding the relationship between mental and physical aspects of 'mind'. Would neuroscans of the brain have helped him out of his pseudoscience?

4. Discuss one major contribution each for Paul Broca, Carl Wernicke, & Charles Sherrington.

QUIZ 5 CH 6: Empiricism, Associationism, & Utilitarianism

Preface: Experience equates to Empiricism. Hence, observation and experience is elevated in Empirical philosophy as rationalism is diminished.

1. On page 119 top of second column, summarize the contributions of Francis Bacon.
On page 120-121 define what Bacon means by 'Idols' and then characterize one Idol as an example.

2. On page 123, second column, third paragraph, & page 125 first column second paragraph, summarize Locke's influence on education based on his empirical philosophy. What did Voltaire suggest about Locke's influence in education on page 125, second column second paragraph ending with the section on George Berkeley?

3. Summarize what Hume believed to be the nature of self? See page 130 bottom of first column.

4. Refer to page 131 second column, last paragraph to answer why David Hume is considered to be a central figure in the history of psychology.

5. Define assocationism, utilitarianism, and psychological hedonism. Also, why is John Stuart Mill influential in the history of psychology?

The End. You have officially taken your last quiz for PSY 410.

Monday, June 29, 2009

WEEK 4 BIZ CH 10 PSYCHOPHYSICS & QUIZ CH 12: FUNCTIONALISM

TODAY IS MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2009

Next Week marks the FINAL WEEK OF CLASS. I am as surprises as you are how quick the passage of time. But, that's the way Summer Goes--FAST! CH 10 BIZ & CH 12 QUIZ will highlight this most current BLOG post.

Throughout the last few weeks, I have told most of you the quality of you essays are superior. So keep up the good work as we head into the next to last week of class.

CH 10 BIZ: PSYCHOPHYSICS

As we discussed in class today, monday, June 29, 2009 "psychophysics" describes the progression of "philosophical psychology" into a more quantative (measurable) frame of reference in the first and last decades of the 19th century, say 1800s to 1879 with the formal founding of the first psychology lab at the University of Leipzig by Professor Wilhelm Wundt.

In the early days of experimental psychology, measurement of subjective impressions from physical stimuli by thresholds marked "psychophysics". Measurement across the continuum of lower and upper ranges of perception anticipated behaviorism in North America in the 1920s.

BIZ ESSAYS FOR CH 10 DUE: Friday, July 3rd at noon.

(As this is the July 4th weekend, it is probably a good idea to get a quick start on both BIZ & QUIZ for this week and target perhaps wednesday or thursday as days to finish this week's assignments.)

1. Choose ONE of the following theorists--Weber, Fechner, or von Helmholtz and summarize the main theoretical views.

2. Discuss in some detail what made Wundt such an icon in the early days of psychology? What else did he do bysides founding the first scientific laboratory? Why was his lab such a big accomplishment?

3. Compare Wundt to our earlier discussion of Freud. Who's star shines brighter today and why?

4. If experimental labs and brain scans were somehow suddenly removed from modern neuropsychology, what would be worth keeping from the days of "psychophysics"? Anything?


CH 12 QUIZ: FUNCTIONALISM: ADAPTIVE & INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOLOGY

Due Sunday, July 5th by noon or soooner

1. According to class discussion on Monday, June 29, 2009 is Jamesian Psychology more psychology or more philosophy? What is functionalism really?

2. Name three of the most vital tenents of Jamesian ideology from the following: individualism, multiple levels of analysis, pluralism, free will, pragmatism, or radical empiricism?

3. Summarize Jamesian legacy (from page 278).

4. Discuss the defining theoretical points of your ONE choice between Hugo Munsterberg, G. Stanley Hall, or Mary Calkin's and their contributions to 19th century psychology.

5. Evaluate in a short paragraph the contributions of functionalism in the early days of psychology. Where would psychology be without attention to individual expereinces and perception?

Monday, June 22, 2009

WEEK THREE: BIZ CH 16 & QUIZ CH 17

TODAY IS MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009\

Combine what you learned in class today with CH 16 to answer the following BIZ essay questions DUE BY FRIDAY, NOON:

BIZ CH 16: PSYCHOANALYSIS

1. According to class discussion, is Freud IN or OUT of mainstream psychology today? According to your answer, what are 2 OR 3 convincing arguments supporting your position?

2. What was the structure (or metaphorial elements) of personality accordig to classical Freudian psychology? As we discussed in class THE CHEMICAL FREUD based upon modern research into neurochemsitry, what chemistry would explain the parts of personality addressed in your answer above. Be specific to the chemistry affecting the personality metaphor.

3. Theoretically, if we take the position that anxiety lies beneath variations of psychopathology, define and give examples of five defense mechanisms that suppossedly lessen the vice grip of "an anxious mind".

4. Regarding Freud's developmental psychology as psychosexual stages, pick one of the five and describe how it meshes with his theory of conflict between the three aspects of personality.

5. Choose two of the five criticism of Psychoanalysis & Freud from page 392-393. Which two seem the most damaging?

6. Of the remaining founders of psychodynamic psychology--Adler, Jung, & Horney-- which one do you feel has translated well into the 2000s? What is his/her most practical theoretical contention?

DUE by FRIDAY, JUNE 26, NOON



QUIZ CH 17: HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGIES

1. According to class discussion, what would the history of psychology be like without humanistic philosophy & humanistic psychology?

2. Explain how James' (1) functionalism, (2) Existential Psychology, and (3) Phenomenology square with humansitic perspectives? What are some common threads?

3. As Humanistic Psychology emerged as the "3rd Force" on continental USA, what was Maslow's major contribution?

4. What did Carl Rogers bring to humanistic psychology?

5. Choose 3 of the 7 major positions of humanistic psychology (pages 427-428)and argue their validity in mainstream psychology.

DUE: SATURDAY, NOON JUNE 27, 2009

Assignments to read CH 16 & CH 17 are in the post below...

Saturday, June 20, 2009

MONDAY, JUNE 22 CLASS: READ CH 16 & CH 17

Today is Saturday, June 20, 2009

Prepare for class discussion on Monday, June 22 by reading CH 16: Psychoanalysis & CH 17 Humanistic Psychology. Our discussion will help you address your QUIZ (over CH 17) and your BIZ essays (over CH 16). Both will be posted on this site by Monday afternoon. READ. READ. READ. See you in class!

Monday, June 15, 2009

PREVIEW OF WEEK 3

Today, is Monday, June 15, 2009

In class today, we discussed the contributions of Behaviorism in the history of psychology. Quiz 2 addresses four key members of the founder's club--Watson, Thorndike, Tolman, & Skinner.

Chapter 15 comprises BIZ Essay #2 covering the somewhat esoteric Gestalt Theory. I am looking forward to reading your essays and your "take" of this "holistic" perspective.


WEEK THREE

Sunday, June 21 begins WEEK THREE.

QUIZ 3 will cover CH 17 Humanistic Psychologies & BIZ 3 will cover CH 16 Psychoanalysis & Freud. So watch this post as both QUIZ & BIZ will be posted on BLOG by Friday, June 19, NOON.

So...catch up on your reading & notes & send WEEK TWO Quiz & Biz by Saturday, June 20at noon.

Friday, June 12, 2009

WEEK 1 QUIZ & BIZ EXTENDED/NEW WEEK TWO

Today is SUNDAY, JUNE 14 (from an earlier post on Friday, June 12th.

If necessary, you may have until today (SUNDAY) to complete ALL WEEK ONE QUIZ & BIZ ESSAYS. This extension is justified by textbook access. So, don't panic if you need even a few more days next week. On Monday, June 15th we will discuss Even the Rat Was White and analyze Behaviorism as the "new science" replacing Old School philosophical psychology. Also, we will discuss aspects of Gestalt Psychology.

WEEK TWO (Introduction)

Behaviorism changed the course of "the historical psychology that aligned most with academic courses taught in the philosophy departments of colleges and universities" (Jacobs, 2009). Weiss (1928) proclaimed (paraphrased) "when the scientific mechanism is taken as a fundamental postulate of human behavior...how much human achievement is made possible".

The new science of BEHAVIORISM officially began with an article by John B. Watson entitled: Psychology as the Behaviorist View It."

Stretchin the rubber band of history as far back as possible before it breaks, the Greek 'atomic theory' of Democritus (page 51) is very remotely connected. Althought "Naturalism" & "Materialism" populated the European continent, it was nothing like pure Behavorism of Watson (S-->R), Thorndike (Connectionism), & Skinner (Operant Conditioning)--the truly American version of psychology just entering its adolescent years.

QUIZ 2 & BIZ 2 ESSAYS

QUIZ: CH 13 & CH 14

1. Summarize (1 to 2 page essays for each) the major contributions of:

Edward Thorndike (CH 13)

John B. Watson (CH 13)

Edward Tolman (CH 14)

B.F. Skinner (CH 14)

2. Which theorist from both chapters (13 & 14) appears to have the most confusing and confounding theory? Why in 1/2 page essay.

BIZ CH 15

1-2 page essays per question

1. What did Wertheimer, Kohler, & Koffka bring to the 1920s philosophical "table" of psychology in the early decades of the 20th century (Refer to pages 354-360; 365). As a "Philosophical Psychology" what is Gestalt Psychology as early founders envisioned it?

2. Summarize Kurt Lewin's Field Theory.

3. Summarize the significance of Capra's 5 paradigmatic shifts (1988) from old school to new school science with relevance to Gestalt's continuing influence (see page 373).

Both BIZ & QUIZ ESSAYS are due by SATURDAY, JUNE 20th. NOON.

Monday, June 8, 2009

SYLLABUS PSY 420 HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY

PSY 420 is a senior college level psychology course in the BS degree program in psychology offered by Tarleton State University at Weatherford College. The course will be taught both face-to-face and as a hybrid BLOG course as a courtesy for students who must travel as far away as Waco, Texas.

The class meets from JUNE 8 TO JULY 9, 2009.

Course Description: PSY 420 provides a history of psychology from ancient times to modern neuropsychology--the science of psychology in modern times.

Instructor: Don Jacobs, Chair of Behavioral Science at Weatherford College

Email: djacobs@wc.edu

Office phone: (817)598-6431

Text: The History of Psychology: Ideas & Context (4th Ed., 2009) King, D. Brett, Viney, W., & Woody, W.D.

Text: Even the Rat Was White: An Historical View of Psychology (2nd Ed.. 2004) Guthrie, R.V.

Format: We will meet every Monday for classroom enhancement, interaction, and to discuss selected chapter topics for that week's assignments. In the hybrid BLOG days, QUIZ & BIZ days characterized how students proceed--they they will take one quiz per week and 2-3 chapters of assigned work that is not graded, but due by Friday of the week as BIZ essay--essays that fulfill non-quiz "business of the course" assignments. BOTH BIZ & QUIZ essays are required for successful completion. Students will proceed through Summer 1 in this format FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 WEEKS.

WEEK ONE: June 8-June 14 QUIZ 1 & associated BIZ Chapters

WEEK TWO: June 15-June 21 QUIZ 2 & associated BIZ Chapters

WEEK THREE: June 22-June 28 QUIZ 3 & associated BIZ Chapters

WEEK FOUR: June 29-July 5 QUIZ 4 & associated BIZ Chapters

WEEK FIVE: July 6-July 9 QUIZ 5 & associated BIZ Chapters

Drop Lowest Grade:

I favor 5 quizzes with the lowest grade dropped. Biz essays allow comprehension of non-quiz information central to successful completion of the course. ALL Biz chapter essays should accompany quiz submission by FRIDAY AT NOON to djacobs@wc.edu

WEEK ONE (June 8-14)

QUIZ: CH 18 (pages 447-466)& Handout

Answer the following questions as essays (or long paragraphs) of 1/2 page to a full page per question:

Note: Classroom time on Tuesday & handout will help students answer ALL of the questions on this WEEK ONE QUIZ. ALL QUIZZES ARE due Friday by noon, except for QUIZ 5 which is sooner.

1. The following quote is from the last paragraph on page 449, first sentence; it reads: "With the advent of structural & functional imaging of the brain, no area of psychology has benefited more from advances in technology than neuroscience". How has neuroimaging changed the effectiveness of modern psychology?


2. How has psychopharmacology helped to define modern neuropsychology?

3. What is evolutionary psychology? What is psychoneuroimmunology? How do they merge with modern neuropsychology?

4. Define industrial-organization (I/O) psychology? (page 456). Discuss how John B. Watson helped to launch this applied field of psychology (from discussion on Tuesday).

5. How has the merging of psychology with law led to forensic psychology (from Tuesday class discussion). (page 460)

BIZ CHAPTERS

CHAPTER 2

Answer the following questions in essay format:

1. Explain Free Will VS Determinism (as presented on pages 27-28). What is you position?

2. Short Definitions: (a) epistemology (page 15) (b) empiricism (page 16 & 17) (c) rationalism (page 18), (d) pragmatism (page 18), (e) skepticism (page 19) & (f) dualism (page 30). Does psychology appear to have strong roots in philosophy? Explain.

CHAPTER 3

From the Golden Age of Greece, contrast the contributions of Plato & Socrates to early psychology. One page each will do.

Even the Rat Was White: Read the first two chapters for discussion on Monday.

BOTH WEEK ONE QUIZ & BIZ CHAPTERS DUE FRIDAY BY NOON. Supplementary Reading of Even the Rat Was White will be discussed on the following Monday.

Send as an attached WORD DOCUMENT (or SAVE WORK IN RICH TEXT FORMAT if not a WORD document) to djacobs@wc.edu

Your grade will be sent by the next day at the latest.

New Posts will always precede older posts

All comments & questions: djacobs@wc.edu for quick response

WEEK TWO and subsequent weeks will be posted by FRIDAY morning for discussion on MONDAY morning during the face-to-face classroom