Richard and Paul- I agree in principle. Frankly, after teaching the History and Systems course for 15 years (short by some standards, I know) I'm convinced by the position that Robert Bolles took in his book. I think we are telling a story in that course. It is a story that can be told correctly, I think, from a variety of perspectives. It can be the history of experimental psychology (some prefer to call that the Boring history of psychology- tongue in cheek of course)! It can be more history and less science, more science and less history, great persons orientation, theoretically oriented or told from any of a number of other perspectives. I'm only now beginning to feel like I get it as a set of stories all saying one thing. I think to expect the students to get the course at that level is something we can hope for but it isn't likely and doesn't happen often- Still it is a worthy goal. I think the biggest difficulty is getting them to take it at all personally and see how it means anything to their careers either inside or outside of psychology. I like to change the story I tell periodically as it gives the alumni something to talk about. Frankly, I think it is the most rewarding AND most frustrating course I teach. Tim
_________________________________________________ Timothy O. Shearon, PhD Albertson College of Idaho 2112 Cleveland Blvd. Caldwell, ID 83605 [EMAIL PROTECTED] teaching: History and systems; Intro to Neuropsychology; Child Development; Physiological Psychology; Psychology and Cinema -----Original Message----- From: Paul Brandon [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, March 26, 2004 9:38 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: Re: What is the place of Herrnstein in a History and Systemscourse? At 11:26 AM -0500 3/26/04, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >Why wouldn't Herrnstein belong in a H&S course? The Matching law was >his as well as the early papers on concept learning in pigeons. > >Richard Pisacreta, Ph.D. I'd second that. The matching law is the basis for the assumption that there is no such thing as a simple schedule of reinforcement; there are always alternative behaviors and reinforcers available to the organism. This has applications that range from clinical psychology to behavioral economics. In fact, he's regarded as the founder of the field of behavioral economics; a blend of behavior analytic principles with traditional economic phenomena. -- * PAUL K. BRANDON [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Psychology Dept Minnesota State University * * 23 Armstrong Hall, Mankato, MN 56001 ph 507-389-6217 * * http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/psych/welcome.html * --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
