The history of psychology is built upon understanding the work of particular individuals throughout history.
The history of psychology is built upon understanding the work of particular individuals throughout history. Your textbook mentions several major and minor contributors to the understanding of psychology's history. However, the textbook is one interpretation of the writings and thoughts of these historical figures. To have a better understanding of those thoughts, you need to read samples of the original works.
For this assignment, you will research something that has been written by an individual from the time period(s) being studied (choose a name from the textbook readings) this week.
The work must be something written by the chosen person, but need only be a sample of the chosen historical work and involve only a few pages of writing. Make sure the writing deals with the topics being covered this week.
There are several sources to use to obtain the works; the best place to start is to search for the person's name on the Internet using Google but you can only utilize this to find information about the person. Use an original historical work by an author of your choice, but keep in mind that you should use peer-reviewed, academic sources for the analysis of this work.
You can use the textbook to support your work, but do not use it as the primary source. This is an outside reading assignment.
After reading the material, answer these questions:
What were the main points of the writing?
What were the differences and similarities between what you read and what was written about the individual in the textbook?
Based on your own views of psychology, how does the author's viewpoint fit into your current understanding of psychology?
Sample Solution
1. Choosing a Historical Figure:
- Look through your textbook readings for this week and identify an individual who interests you.
2. Finding the Original Work:
- Utilize Google to search for the chosen figure's name and their written works. Look for excerpts or short pieces (a few pages) relevant to the topics covered in your class this week.
- Important Note: You can only use Google to find information about the person, not the actual work itself.
3. Locating Scholarly Analysis:
- Once you have identified a suitable excerpt, search for scholarly articles or reputable sources analyzing the work. Utilize academic databases your library provides or search engines like Google Scholar. These sources will provide context and interpretation of the original work.
4. Reading and Analyzing:
- Read the chosen excerpt from the historical figure's work and the scholarly analysis.
5. Answering the Questions:
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Based on your reading, answer the following questions:
- Main Points of the Writing: Briefly summarize the key ideas and arguments presented in the excerpt from the historical figure's work.
- Textbook Comparison: Identify any discrepancies or areas of agreement between the textbook's portrayal of the individual and the actual writing you read. Did the excerpt provide a new perspective or confirm what you learned in the textbook?
- Integration with Your Understanding: Explain how the author's viewpoint aligns with your current understanding of psychology. Does it challenge your existing perspectives or reinforce them?
Remember:
- Do not use your textbook as the primary source. This assignment is designed to explore original historical works.
- Focus on peer-reviewed academic sources for analysis of the historical work.
Example:
Let's say you choose Wilhelm Wundt from your textbook readings. Through a Google search, you find an excerpt from his work "Principles of Physiological Psychology" (1874) discussing his views on introspection. You then locate a scholarly article in an academic database analyzing Wundt's contribution to the development of experimental psychology.
By reading both sources, you can answer the prompt's questions:
- Main Points of the Writing: The excerpt from Wundt's work might discuss the concept of introspection and its role in studying conscious experience.
- Textbook Comparison: Perhaps the textbook mentioned Wundt's use of introspection but didn't delve into the specifics. Reading the excerpt might provide a deeper understanding of his methodology.
- Integration with Your Understanding: Wundt's focus on introspection aligns with the historical development of psychology as a scientific discipline, but contemporary psychology emphasizes a broader range of research methods.
Disclaimer: This is a hypothetical example. The availability of excerpts and scholarly analyses will vary depending on the chosen historical figure and their work.
By following these steps and engaging with the original work, you'll gain a richer understanding of historical psychology and how it shaped the field we know today.