History & Systems of Psychology

This course traces the history of psychology from its early founders to contemporary theories and clinical practice modalities. The course reviews and critically examines the major schools of psychological thought, including psychoanalysis, behaviorism, humanistic and existentialist psychology, functionalism, and biological and evolutionary approaches to understanding the mind and behavior. Students acquire an understanding of the theoretical premises underlying these schools of psychology, their research methodologies, and their approaches to treating psychological disorders. The role of theory in guiding empirical research and clinical practice and the reciprocal influence of empirical discoveries on theory and practice are emphasized.