Psychology (PSYC) 630

Introduction

Psychology 630 is a study of the past history and emerging trends in psychotherapy. It traces the development of human change therapy back to the beginnings of recorded history and forward to our postmodern era. It looks at the evolution of our insights into human nature through both Eastern and Western philosophies. It considers issues of separation and convergence within the discipline.

It is assumed that students of Psychology 630 have some historical background in the area of psychology in general on which to build. This might come through either a History of Psychology or History of Ideas course or, ideally, through both. A general knowledge of basic psychological constructs through one or more additional psychology courses is also expected. MAIS 601: Making Sense of Theory in the Arts and Social Sciences, is a very useful preparation course.

Course Objectives

This exploration of the history and development of psychotherapy is designed to help students achieve the following objectives:

• Use an interdisciplinary approach to trace back the main concepts which have influenced the direction(s) of psychotherapy to their roots in ancient societies and early history of ideas.
• Understand something of the intellectual foundation upon which Freud built his psychoanalytic theory.
• Be able to compare and contrast the contributions of Jung and Adler with those of Freud and to know the contemporary theories which fall within each lineage.
• Appreciate the contribution of the psychoanalytic ego psychologists and recognize where their ideas have influenced the directions of modern psychotherapy.
• Recognize the Rationalist foundation of the European originating psychotherapies, e.g. psychoanalysis, gestalt, existential and humanistic and the Empiricist foundation of North American originating psychotherapies, e.g. behavioral, rational-emotive and cognitive-behavioral and be able to trace through the influences of the major contributors to both streams of thought.
• Explore the evolution of the role of will from St. Augustine down through its apparently contradictory bifurcation into both determinist (e.g. behaviorist) and nondeterminist (e.g. humanistic) streams of thought.
• Know the basic differences between naïve, radical and neobehaviorist theories and recognize what each has contributed to contemporary behavior therapy.
• Explain the similarities and differences between rational-emotive and cognitive- behavioral therapies.
• Understand how humanistic psychology evolved from existential psychology and the Rationalist tradition of thought.
• Be aware of the current Zeitgeist which informed the development of postmodern therapies.
• Have some appreciation for the fundamental differences in mindset which underlie Western and Eastern psychotherapies.
• Develop an informed opinion as to whether or not there should be increased integration of the various Western psychotherapy models in the future.
• Explain the difficulties and the possibilities of integrating Western and Eastern psychotherapeutic approaches.
• Discuss the viability or nonviability of feminist psychology as a general therapeutic approach.

Student Evaluation

To receive credit for Psychology 630: Talking Cures-The Evolution of Psychotherapy, you must complete three essays, contribute to the discussion board, and achieve a final mark of at least 60 per cent. The Master of Arts-Integrated Studies grading system is available online at the MAIS home page. Please note that it is your responsibility to maintain your program status. Any student who receives a grade of "F" in one course, or a grade of "C" in more than one course, may be required to withdraw from the program.

The required participation and weighting of each activity are indicated below. For more information on the written assignments, see the "Assignment File" section near the end of the Course Guide.