Department of Psychology, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

PS50096 History of psychology

Credits: 6

Level: Masters

Semester: 1

Assessment: EX50ES50

Requisites:

In taking this unit you cannot take PS30014

Aims: To equip the student with an understanding of the History of Psychology and a critical understanding of the relationship between a historical perspective and how a field is conceptualised.
Learning Outcomes:

* To demonstrate a critical understanding of the development of theory.
* To demonstrate a critical understanding of the development of methodology.
* Be familiar with the development of critiques.
* Demonstrate a critical understanding of the relationship between the development of psychology and related fields.
* Demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of social and historical context in historical accounts and in the acceptance of new ideas.
Skills:

* Concise, time-bound and effective written communication (T/F A)
* Ability to select, summarise and synthesise written information from multiple sources (T/F A)
* Ability to develop rigorous arguments through precise use of concepts and models (T/F A)
* Ability to synthesise multidisciplinary perspectives on the same problem (T/F A)
* Ability to select and use appropriate ideas to produce a coherent response to a pre-set question (T/F A)
* Ability to produce work to agreed specifications and deadlines (T/F A)
* Ability to work independently, without close supervision or guidance (T/F A)
Content:
The function that historical perspective plays in how we think about a field. Key ideas in the history of psychology; their context and roots. How and why such ideas waxed and waned. The predominant and recurrent themes in the history of psychology. Key individuals in psychology, and how their intellectual lives illuminate how ideas are embedded in cultural and historical context.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07