Major Psychological Movements
Benchmark – Historical Timeline: Major Psychological Movements - Rubric Total 250
points
Criterion 1. Unsatisfactory 2. Less Than Satisfactory
3. Satisfactory 4. Good 5. Excellent
Introduction (B) (B)
C.2.1: Discuss the history
and development of the
theories of Psychoanalysis,
Behaviorism, and
Humanistic/Transpersonal/Existential
(HTE) Psychology. (C2.1)
0 points
Fails to introduce the topic
effectively; missing or
unclear thesis, lack of
historical context for the
major theories. Omits
introduction or provides an
incoherent statement.
29.2 points
Weak introduction with
limited historical context;
the thesis is present, but
lacks clarity and depth
regarding psychoanalysis,
behaviorism, and HTE
psychology.
32.8 points
Introduction is clear but
lacks sufficient depth;
thesis and historical
context of psychoanalysis,
behaviorism, and HTE
psychology are adequate
but not compelling.
36.4 points
Clearly introduces the topic
with good organization;
thesis is strong and
historical context of
psychoanalysis,
behaviorism, and HTE
psychology is well-
explained, setting up the
paper effectively.
40 points
Provides a comprehensive,
engaging introduction;
includes a strong thesis
and rich historical context
of psychoanalysis,
behaviorism, and HTE
psychology that piques
interest and provides a
solid foundation for the
paper.
Psychoanalysis/Psychodynamic
Theory
0 points
Lacks understanding;
important details about
psychoanalysis/psychodynamic
theory are missing or are
unclear. Misrepresents or
omits primary theorists
and concepts.
29.2 points
Shows limited
understanding of
psychoanalysis/psychodynamic
theory; some key theorists
and concepts are
mentioned, but not well-
explained; lacks crucial
historical details.
32.8 points
Basic understanding of
psychoanalysis/psychodynamic
theory with some
important points covered;
lacks in-depth analysis and
detailed discussion of
primary tenets and key
theorists like Freud, Jung,
and Adler.
36.4 points
Good discussion with clear
understanding of primary
tenets, key theorists (e.g.,
Freud, Jung, Adler), and
historical aspects of
psychoanalysis/psychodynamic
theory; minor points may
need more depth, but
overall solid
comprehension.
40 points
Detailed discussion,
demonstrating an excellent
understanding of primary
tenets, key theorists (e.g.,
Freud, Jung, Adler), and
historical perspectives of
psychoanalysis/psychodynamic
theory; includes precise
background, context, and
insightful explanations.
Behaviorism 0 points
Inadequate discussion of
behaviorism; fails to cover
important concepts or
theorists. Misinterprets
theoretical underpinnings
and key concepts.
29.2 points
Covers some key concepts
and theorists of
behaviorism, but lacks
depth and clarity;
theoretical roots are
weakly addressed or
misrepresented.
32.8 points
Basic coverage of key
concepts and theorists of
behaviorism; lacks depth
or some important points;
theoretical aspects are
mentioned, but not fully
explored; key theorists
such as Watson and
Skinner are discussed.
36.4 points
Clear and well-organized
discussion of theoretical
underpinnings, key
concepts, and important
theorists of behaviorism;
explanations are accurate
and informative, providing
a good understanding of
theorists like Watson and
Skinner.
40 points
Provides a thorough
discussion with excellent
insights into theoretical
underpinnings, key
concepts, and important
theorists of behaviorism;
integrates a deep
understanding and
detailed analysis of
contributions from key
figures like Watson and
Skinner.
Humanistic/Transpersonal/Existential
(HTE) Psychology
0 points
Lacks clear explanation
and fails to identify
important tenets or
differences within
humanistic/transpersonal/existential
(HTE) psychology.
Misrepresents or omits key
ideas and theorists.
29.2 points
Provides limited discussion
of tenets and key theorists
of
humanistic/transpersonal/existential
(HTE) psychology; lacks
clarity and depth; fails to
sufficiently differentiate
between theorists like
Maslow, Rogers, and
Frankl.
32.8 points
Basic discussion of
humanistic/transpersonal/existential
(HTE) psychology; some
important points or
differences within the
movement are weak or
missing; discussion is
somewhat generalized
without distinguishing
specific contributions of
theorists like Maslow,
Rogers, and Frankl.
36.4 points
Clear discussion of tenets
and key theorists of
humanistic/transpersonal/existential
(HTE) psychology; explains
differences within the
movement well; provides
informative comparisons
and contexts for theorists
like Maslow, Rogers, and
Frankl.
40 points
Comprehensive
explanation of tenets and
key theorists of
humanistic/transpersonal/existential
(HTE) psychology; excellent
insight into the differences
within the movement;
provides in-depth and
nuanced perspectives on
the contributions of each
theorist and sub-field
(Maslow, Rogers, Frankl).
Synthesis & Conclusion
(B) (B)
C.2.2: Synthesize the
theories of Psychoanalysis,
Behaviorism, and HTE
Psychology. (C2.2)
0 points
Inadequate synthesis; lacks
clear timeline or
connections between
psychoanalysis,
behaviorism, and HTE
psychology movements;
29.2 points
Limited synthesis of
psychoanalysis,
behaviorism, and HTE
psychology movements;
lacks clear connections or
timeline; conclusion is
32.8 points
Basic synthesis of
psychoanalysis,
behaviorism, and HTE
psychology; some
connections and
transitions are unclear or
36.4 points
Good synthesis of
psychoanalysis,
behaviorism, and HTE
psychology movements;
clear timeline and
organized discussion;
40 points
Thoroughly synthesizes
movements of
psychoanalysis,
behaviorism, and HTE
psychology into a cohesive
timeline, demonstrating a
poor or missing conclusion.
Fails to integrate historical
progression.
weak and does not project
future perspectives
lacking; timeline is present,
but not fully developed; a
basic concluding statement
is provided.
demonstrates how one
movement led to or
influenced another; a good
concluding statement on
future perspectives is
present.
clear understanding of the
development process;
includes insightful
connections between
movements and a strong
concluding statement on
future perspectives.
Thesis Development and
Purpose
0 points
Paper lacks any discernible
overall purpose or
organizing claim.
18.25 points
Thesis is insufficiently
developed or vague.
Purpose is not clear.
20.5 points
Thesis is apparent and
appropriate to purpose.
22.75 points
Thesis is clear and
forecasts the development
of the paper. Thesis is
descriptive and reflective
of the arguments and
appropriate to the
purpose.
25 points
Thesis is comprehensive
and contains the essence
of the paper. Thesis
statement makes the
purpose of the paper clear.
Mechanics of Writing 0 points
Surface errors are
pervasive enough that they
impede communication of
meaning. Inappropriate
word choice or sentence
construction is used.
9.13 points
Frequent and repetitive
mechanical errors distract
the reader. Inconsistencies
in language choice
(register) or word choice
are present. Sentence
structure is correct, but not
varied.
10.25 points
Some mechanical errors or
typos are present, but they
are not overly distracting
to the reader. Correct and
varied sentence structure
and audience-appropriate
language are employed.
11.38 points
Prose is largely free of
mechanical errors,
although a few may be
present. The writer uses a
variety of effective
sentence structures and
figures of speech.
12.5 points
Writer is clearly in
command of standard,
written, academic English.
APA Format 0 points
Required format is rarely
followed correctly. No
reference page is included.
No in-text citations are
used.
9.13 points
Required format elements
are missing or incorrect. A
lack of control with
formatting is apparent.
Reference page is present.
However, in-text citations
are inconsistently used.
10.25 points
Required format is
generally correct. However,
errors are present (e.g.,
font, cover page, margins,
and in-text citations).
Reference page is included
and lists sources used in
the paper. Sources are
appropriately documented
though some errors are
present.
11.38 points
Required format is used,
but minor errors are
present (e.g., headings and
direct quotes). Reference
page is present and
includes all cited sources.
Documentation is
appropriate and citation
style is usually correct.
12.5 points
The document is correctly
formatted. In-text citations
and a reference page are
complete and correct. The
documentation of cited
sources is free of error.
© 2026. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.