PHI 3451: Philosophy of Psychology

 

Spring 2005

 

Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Mundale                                                                                                                            

Office: CNH (Colbourn Hall) 411L                                                                                                                        

Ph: 407-823-5076                                                                                                                                                 

E-mail:  jmundale@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu                                                                                                                   

Website: http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~jmundale    

Office hours: Tu Th 12-2:30 and by appt.

 

Course Description

This course will examine the philosophical foundations and assumptions of major schools of psychology, including Descartes’ dualistic framework for the mind, James’ naturalized view of the mind, Piaget’s developmental psychology, Skinnerian and Watsonian behaviorism, contemporary evolutionary psychology, and recent cognitivist trends.  Our main source for examining these major theories will be Flanagan’s book, The Science of the Mind.  In the course of examining these major schools we will also explore the relation between critical thinking and psychology through Scott Plous’s book, The Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making.

 

Prerequisites

Junior standing or above, or permission of instructor.

 

Texts

1) Flanagan, Owen. 1991.  The Science of the Mind, 2nd ed., Cambridge: MIT Press/Bradford.

2) Plous, Scott. 1993.  The Psychology of Judgment and Decision Making.  New York: McGraw-Hill.

3) Handouts, in class and online, will also be assigned.

 

Requirements
Students are required to carefully read and prepare the assigned text and attend class regularly.  Students are also encouraged to participate meaningfully in class discussions.  Discussion and debate are encouraged, but disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, and may result in a lower grade or outright dismissal from the course.  Excessive absence and/or lateness may also result in a lower grade. 

 

Makeup Policy

If you miss a quiz or exam, you will not automatically be granted a make-up. These will be given only in exceptional circumstances, with substantial, written documentation, from a competent authority (physician, coach, counselor, etc.) Additionally, you must contact me within 3 calendar days of the missed quiz or exam in order for me to consider granting a makeup: note that “contact” means actually discussing the matter with me, not merely leaving me a message or an e-mail.  If granted, the make-up will be more difficult than the original that was missed. However, if you anticipate having to be absent on a quiz or exam day, and have a legitimate reason for your absence, see me well ahead of time, and if possible, I will arrange for you to take it early. Unexcused absence from an exam will result in a failing grade for the missed exam. 

 

Class Decorum
How you handle yourself reflects upon who you are, so behave in a way that shows respect for yourself and for those around you. Please turn off your cell phone before you come to class. You are expected to arrive on time and stay for the duration of the class. Coming late, stepping out, and leaving early are generally discourteous and can be disruptive. It is understood that urgent situations may arise which make these things necessary and excusable. In all other cases, this behavior should be avoided. If such behavior becomes excessive, it will be considered disruptive to the class and represent grounds for lowering your grade and/or taking disciplinary action. If you know that you will need to leave early, please tell me before class that you will need to do so. 

 

Grades: I will use the plus/minus grading convention (A, A-, B+, B, B-, etc.)

Quiz 1 - 20%

Quiz 2 - 20% 

Midterm - 30%
Final Exam (or substitution of research paper, or group project, by prior  permission only) - 30%


Course Schedule through Midterm Exam. Readings are to be completed before the class period for which they are scheduled. Schedule may vary slightly, depending on class interest and progress. Any changes will be announced in class and posted on the website.

 

Tu 1-11  Introduction to course, student information sheets, review syllabus.

Th  1-13  Flanagan, Ch. 1, “Minds and Bodies”, pp. 1-13.

 

Tu  1-18  Flanagan, Ch. 1, “Minds and Bodies”, pp. 1-13.

Th  1-20  Flanagan, Ch. 1, “Minds and Bodies”, pp. 18-22  (the chapter Conclusion only).

 

Tu  1-25  Flanagan, Ch. 2, “Naturalizing the Mind”, pp. 23-38.

Th  1-27  Flanagan, Ch. 2, “Naturalizing the Mind”, pp. 38-53.

 

Tu  2-1  Plous, Reader Survey, pp. 1-12 (please bring your answers to class; answers won’t be graded).

Th  2-3  Plous, Ch. 1, “Selective Perception”.

 

Tu  2-8  Plous, Ch. 4, “Context Dependence”.

Th  2-10 Review, Quiz 1

 

Tu  2-15  Flanagan, Ch. 4, “The Science of Behavior”, pp. 83-104. (skip 105-111).

Th 2-17   Flanagan, Ch. 4, “The Science of Behavior”, pp. 112-117.

 

Tu 2-22 Finish Flanagan, Ch. 4. “The Science of Behavior”.

Th 2-24 Plous, Ch. 6 “The Effects of Question Wording and Framing”.

 

Tu  3-1  Plous, Ch. 10, “The Representativeness Heuristic”.

Th  3-3  Plous, Ch. 11 “The Availability Heuristic”.   

Change:  Plous Ch. 11 will be rescheduled for after the Midterm Exam. 
Instead, go directly to Flanagan, Ch. 5, "The Case for Cognitive-Development Psychology", pp. 119-149 only.


 NOTE: Withdrawal deadline is March 4th.

 

Tu  3-8  Flanagan, Ch. 5, “The Case for Cognitive-Developmental Psychology”, pp. 119-149 only.

Th  3-10 Flanagan, Ch. 5, “The Case for Cognitive-Developmental Psychology”, pp. 119-149 only.

 

Spring Break March 14-18

 

Tu 3-22  Review

Th 3-24  Midterm Exam