Psychology 210 take -home final exam
Due April 16 th (midnight), 2025

Answer ONE   question from the list that follows in approximately 800-1000 words (about 3-4 pages typed double space) each.

1. Compare and contrast the psychology of William James with those of two of the following: Wundt, Freud, Darwin, or Dewey. In doing so, consider each of their perspectives on self, consciousness and will, types of knowledge, as well as their fundamental assumptions (ontological categories) about the nature of reality and psychology.

2. Provide an account of the works of B.F. Skinner and E.H. Erikson on the subject matter, methodology, and nature of psychology. In doing so discuss how various features of their work represent the Natural and Human science perspectives. Also discuss how aspects of their personal identities had an influence on the forms of psychology that they preferred.

3.  Concern over the revision of history of psychology has been expressed by some people. When contradictory accounts emerge we often accept one and reject the other. Is it better to remember the awful events or rather to "hide" them from conscious awareness and future histories of our discipline? How would you resolve this issue for various cases? Should we "re-write" history and provide the "new truth" or do we offer alternative interpretations of the events or people? Why? Give examples from the course to illustrate your answer.

4. Provide an account of the history of Eugenics from Spencer and Galton through to Goddard and MacEachran (and others). While you outline the major positions they held and circumstances they were found in, also provide a critical appraisal of the work they did and the value of it.

5. What are the most important contributions of Logical Positivism to the practice of psychology? What are the main criticisms against "positivist science"? State whether or not you think it is valuable to have a psychology based upon positivism?

6. Of the many psychological perspectives or ideologies examined in this course, which do you think provides the best foundation for psychology in the 21st century? Why is that the case? What kind of psychology would you like to see develop in the next century?

In answering this question it is a good idea to discuss your "ideal psychology" with respect to the ontological, epistemological, logical, and ethical commitments that it involves, while also suggesting why they are important to you. Lastly, William James' pragmatic method may help you make the choices that you need to make in answering this question.