This project should help you understand some of the philosophical assumptions in psychology while developing your library research and public speaking skills.

(1) First, find a partner to work with by January 14.  In class that day, Dr. Lantinga will assign an "-ism" term to you from the following list:

• reductionism

• determinism

• empiricism (sometimes called positivism or logical positivism)

• naturalism (sometimes used interchangeably with materialism)

• behaviorism (also see behavioral psychology)

• humanism (also see humanistic psychology)

• cognitivism (also see cognitive psychology)

• feminism (also see feminist psychology)

• sociobiology (also called evolutionary psychology; ok, this isn't technically an -ism, but it should be)

(2) Next, use at least 2 library book references to help you understand your assigned term.  The best places to look in the library are in the BF 31 section (psychology reference books) and the BF 51 section (books on psychology & religion - use the index in each book to help you). 

(3) Develop a 3-5 minute oral presentation that helps your classmates understand what your term means (definition, examples, etc.) and how it relates to psychology (as a philosophical assumption, a major perspective in psychology, etc.). 

(4) Prepare a 1/2 page handout for the class with your term, a 2-3 sentence summary of it, and an APA-style list of references used to research the term. Either bring 18 copies to class with you or e-mail your handout to Dr. Lantinga by 3pm the previous day so she can bring copies.

Your presentation - worth 15 points - will be evaluated on the accuracy & coverage of your information (content) and the clarity of your delivery (speaking skills).  An appropriate handout is worth another 5 points. 

page revised January 2005