Introduction
“Even simple behaviors are complex at their core” (Geher, 2021). We now turn to timeless debates in psychology; they are part of the history of the field and remain influential even as theories and research change and grow over time.
As you read through debates and current trends in psychology, consider: How might these conversations inspire future psychology learners and help direct them towards different professional pursuits? Ultimately, some of you may pursue graduate school and some of you may pursue different part-time or full-time positions. Our journeys are inspired by different theories and histories within psychology, and, though we all end up on a different path, we share a love for psychology and for helping others.
How will you leave your mark in psychology? We should all strive to “be the change” in one way or another—how can we have a positive impact on the lives of ourselves, those we love, and our communities around us?
In the last assessment, you will create a podcast and reflect upon a contemporary focus in psychology - its social significance, the historical and societal influences that led us there, and its continuing impact on social thinking. You'll end with a plan for how you can “be the change” in the future to improve the human experience related to this contemporary area of psychology.
Reference
Geher, G. (2021, January 24). 5 timeless debates in psychology. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/darwins-su...
Be the Change - Podcast
For this assessment, you will reflect upon different concepts discussed throughout the course, their historical relevance and intersection with today's psychology, and why you need to be part of the positive change moving forward. Submit a 6–9 minute podcast or audio file where you connect one HISTORICAL school of thought's founding figures and ideas with one contemporary school of thought's ideas.
Assessment Preparation
Step 1: Select one contemporary focus in psychology:
- Feminist psychology and intersectionality
Step 2: Select one historical school of thought that you believe helped to somehow inspire or contribute to your contemporary focus selected in Step 1:
- Psychoanalysis
Step 3: Select one of the timeless psychology debates that may fit in from “5 Timeless Debates in Psychology” from the Timeless Debates https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/darwins-subterranean-world/202101/5-timeless-debates-in-psychology reading list:
- Person versus situation
Step 4: Locate four peer-reviewed journal articles that align to your contemporary focus. Be sure that at least one article represents diversity, equity, and inclusion. To accomplish this goal, find at least one article that either comes from an international journal, uses a non-Western population, or represents clearly the experiences of an underrepresented group in the literature. Note: Two articles may be from our course readings, but the other two should be from outside of course readings.
Assessment Instructions
For this assessment, create a podcast or audio recording. Your final product should be 6–9 minutes in length. Use the Assessment 4 Podcast Preparation Guide [DOCX] to help you prepare your script prior to recording your podcast.
- Describe the contemporary topic of interest.
- Evaluate its social significance.
- Analyze the historical and societal influences that have led to this new area of psychology via reviewing research from four peer-reviewed journal articles.
- Explain how the older school of thought influences the present-day field of psychology and specifically your contemporary topic of interest.
- Include at least one theorist name within this discussion!
- Explain how one of the five timeless debates from Geher (2021) fits with the contemporary topic of interest.
- Explain other historical events and/or movements that may have inspired interest in this topic area.
- Explain how the older school of thought influences the present-day field of psychology and specifically your contemporary topic of interest.
- Explain how this new school of thought may guide social thinking in the future.
- Create a plan for how you (and others) can help be the change in the future to improve the human experience in this contemporary area of psychology.
- Consider individual, community, and global scales.
Submission Instructions
There are two deliverables: Submit both your audio file or link and a reference page listing your sources.Length: 6–9 minutes.Oral communication: Must be clearly spoken and paced.Resources and citations: Use a minimum of four peer-reviewed journal articles. Two may be course readings. One must represent diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Citations may be stated orally to give due credit. Format reference list according to current APA guidelines. See Academic Writer.