PSY 475H - History and Current Systems in Psychology

Traces psychology from its roots in philosophy and biology, through the period of schools (e.g., structuralism, behaviorism, Gestalt) into the multifaceted discipline of the current era. Selected contemporary approaches to psychology will be compared and evaluated both in historical context and from a more functional, problem-solving point of view. Explores the conceptual and epistemological problems associated with the nature of psychology, such as the following: the scientific status of certain psychological theories, e.g., the Freudian theory of personality; the issue of mind versus brain; and the reduction of psychological concepts to those of physics.

Note: This course is co-taught with PHL 496 Joint Seminar in Philosophy-Psychology. Students may not take both courses for credit.
Prerequisite: Psychology Honors Program and senior standing.
Offered: Not on a regular basis
Credit: 3