PSYC 622
Psychology and Science

Historical Foundations of a Scientific Psychology

Catalog Entry

PSYC 622. Psychology and Science
Three hours lecture (3).

Prerequisites: Graduate standing in psychology or permission of the instructor

Discussion of the role of psychologists as scientists. Issues to be addressed include the advantages and disadvantages of the scientific method as a mode of inquiry, the concept of scientific progress, the reduction of psychological constructs to physical principles, and the status of psychology as a science.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

I. History and Philosophy of Science

a. Rationalism and Empiricism

1. Plato and Aristotle
2. Descartes and British Empiricism
3. Philosophy and Psychology

b. Descriptions of the "Scientific Method" and Scientific Progress

1. Logical Positivism
2. Kuhn and Normal Science
3. Larry Laudan and Science as Puzzle Solving

c. Reductionism and the Social Sciences

II. Psychology and Science

a. Is Psychology a Science?

1. The Physical Sciences and Psychology Compared
2. The Status of Psychological Theory

b. Is Psychology a Unified Field of Study?
c. Historical Perspectives on Psychology and the Scientific Method

1. The Theory of Natural Selection and Psychology
2. Logical Positivism and the Behavioral Paradigm
3. Neural Networks and Reductionism

d. Current Issues in the Relationship Between Psychology and Science

1. Quantitative and Qualitative Methods
2. Psychology as a Hard or a soft Science

Detailed Description of Conduct of the Course

Students will read several historically relevant, empirical, or review articles before class and critically discuss the findings and interpretations of the authors. Students will present articles to the rest of the class and serve as moderators of discussions regarding these articles. Lectures will incorporate and supplement the assigned readings.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

The goal of the course is the acquire a background in the assumptions, advantages, and limitations of the scientific method as the primary tool for information gathering in psychology.

Assessment Measures

Graded assignments may include in-class tests, a final examination, pop quizzes, the assignment and presentation of exercise/labs and projects, and class preparation and participation.

Other Course Information

Primary reading material will consist of original articles in the philosophy of science and psychological literatures.

Review and Approval

DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
March 1999