For this final paper, your will explore the history of a theoretical concept or issue.
Theoretical Concept: A concept is an abstract idea generalized from particular instances. Psychology is basically a set of theoretical concepts. Each concept has a history. For instance, Freud developed numerous concepts around the unconscious mind, while later behaviorists dismissed these in favor of more observable concepts such as modeling and reinforcements.
Issue: Issues are debatable perspectives on some topic. Below are listed some of the major issues that have dominated the history of psychological thought since the times of the ancient Greek philosophers. For your final essay, you MIGHT choose to address one of these issues:
The nature of human nature
The relation between humans and nonhuman animals
The relationship between the mind and the body
The nature of mental illness
Rationalism versus irrationalism
Consciousness versus unconsciousness
Reductionism versus non-reductionism
Nature versus nurture
Objective versus subjective reality
Mechanism versus vitalism
Determinism versus freedom
The foundation of human happiness
The final paper assignment is designed to allow you to delve deeper into a historical period, influential person, theoretical movement, or psychological discipline that interests you. The term paper must focus on something or someone from the material covered in class. Acceptable papers may take many forms.
Some specific examples of acceptable papers structures are:
A compare and contrast paper presenting evidence for two different theoretical views (issues).
A compare and contrast paper that summarizes and critiques the work of two major figures in the history of psychology, (in terms of their theoretical concepts).
A position paper, where you take a position on a historical debate (issue) and present evidence supporting your position.
A paper that takes a historical person or theory (concepts) and investigates the impact on modern psychology.
Papers are expected to be in APA style. All reference material should be acquired through your personal research. Acceptable references include, biographies/autobiographies, books or original research papers by historic researchers, peer-reviewed journal articles, review papers from scientific journals, historic textbooks, scholarly websites, and papers written by historians and philosophers of science. In general, unacceptable references include unsubstantiated viewpoints and encyclopedias, such as Wikipedia, although these might be used as a starting point to find more scholarly publications. A minimum of 5 scholarly references should be cited and listed.
Whichever issue, person, or concept becomes the subject of your final paper, you should make sure your essay includes the following: (a) an introduction in which you defined the topic and say why it is important; (b) a historical narrative that traces the history of the topic, the various positions taken on this question and/or the key figures that represent those positions; and (c) a conclusion in which you discuss the current status of the issue or concept in contemporary psychology.
Final papers are expected to be 10 pages (double spaced, 12pt Times New Roman font), excluding title page, abstract, references, figures, and appendices.
GUIDELINES
Your paper should be 10 pages and should cover the directives already given.
You should follow accepted research approaches and citation format (APA).
Your paper should be well developed and convey your understanding of the readings and concepts.
Your paper should be organized, coherent, and unified.
Your paper should be free of spelling and grammatical errors.
Base your research paper on at least a dozen different research sources which must be listed in the concluding bibliography list.
Use an even mix of hardcopy and online sources because there is a definite qualitative difference between the two types.
As much as possible, avoid using our textbooks as research, except when absolutely necessary for background information.
Be sure to document all contentions and facts mentioned in an academically acceptable manner. (See writing resources below)
Encyclopedias especially Wikipedia and dictionaries are unacceptable sources.
