http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/us/politics/14obama.html?ex=1206158400&en=8ebebb7ca91cf157&ei=5070
This is a wonderful article about the crucial role Obama's mother played in the development of his character, motivation and integrity. I might add that it goes totally against the grain of the theory of Judith Harris's that parents care-giving doesn't make much of a difference. I found her hypothesis patently ludicrous but thought I had best check out her book, "The Nurture Assumption," before I criticize it. When I read it, I was astonished at the amazingly poor scholarship throughout. First, she does not provide one (not one!) footnote, therefore making it impossible for readers to determine the source of her various conclusions and beliefs. She also provides an amazing number of casual observations as 'scientific' evidence. Didn't we long ago stop viewing anecdotal stories/observations as solid scientific foundation for any theory of human behavior? Harris also makes innumerable statements that reveal an astonishing lack of knowledge of the history and science of psychology--especially where and when various theories of child development were developed as well as the scientific studies that supported them. I haven't read much of Steven Pinker's work but am aware that he is an established distinguished leader in our field, or at least I have been under the impression of such. Whatever, he strongly supported an article Harris wrote in the "American Psychologist" and then highly encouraged her to write this book, I assume because it fits nicely into his own perspective. Whatever, upon reading Pinker's preface, I was totally unprepared to discover how seriously flawed it is. It's weirdly unscientific relative to not providing any type of foundation for his statements as well as, at times, making patently incorrect statements. Now I am totally flummoxed by how well this book was received not only by the media (though they tend to accept any theory if it is packaged well), but also by many of our colleagues. Since I am a relative nobody compared to the great Pinker, I will provide a summary of my critiques/concerns about this book to this listserv within a week or so and would very much welcome rebuttals. Joan [EMAIL PROTECTED] PS I have been highly encouraged to proceed with writing programmed material for the most difficult concepts to teach in introductory psychology. I would appreciate your thoughts on which concepts you would love to have programmed for your students so that you then could use class time to expand and apply the concepts in intellectually challenging ways. Of course, I am taking on this project due to having fairly extensive experience writing both linear and branched programs. The latter was created by Norman Chowder, a name I suspect most have never heard of. --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
