PSY 212 The Making of Modern Psychology
Rather than being a unified field, contemporary psychology consists of a range of interrelated disciplines and practices, often grounded in fundamentally different assumptions about human nature. How did this plurality of perspectives emerge, and what does it reveal about psychology’s scientific status? In this course, we will explore how psychology evolved from its philosophical roots to become the scientific field it is today. We will cover topics like the development of psychology’s diverse schools of thought; the key contributions of figures such as James, Freud, and Jung; how historical and cultural events influenced psychological ideas and practices; and the dynamic interplay between psychology’s theoretical ambitions and practical applications. By looking at psychology within its historical and cultural contexts, this course offers a richer understanding of the forces that shaped the field and encourages students to reflect on how psychology keeps changing in response to scientific, philosophical, and societal challenges.