3-5 page Psychology essay

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PSYCH 4600

Instructions for the first (1st) essay

Read the instructions carefully so that you can properly write the first assigned essay of the first unit. The text should be handed in, printed and stapled, following a Microsoft Word format, a letter size twelve (12) and a spacing of one and a half (1.5) between sentences (or line spacing in the paragraph options). The extension of the work should not be less than three (3) pages or greater than five (5) pages of content (not title page or cover of any kind is required).

At the end of your essay you will list the References used (for more information see the text I sent regarding the instructions for writing an essay for this class). Plagiarism will not be tolerated. The written essay should be a product that reflects your understanding and interpretation (substantiated with arguments, evidence and reasoning, expressed in a clear, consistent, and accurate matter) of the assigned readings and discussions in class. Do not use Internet sources and limit yourself to the assigned texts, the discussion in class and your own argumentative capabilities.

The test has a total value of twenty-five (25) points.

Instructions: Discuss how some authors have critically established that objectivity, certainty (or "absolute truth") and individualistic knowledge are simplified and problematic conceptions regarding the production of scientific and casual knowledge. Take into consideration why this discussion is important in the realm of Psychology and how it opens up new and complex ways of understanding human actions.

When elaborating your essay take into account the following:

1) There's three (3) conceptions that need to be critically examined (objectivity, certainty and individualistic knowledge), BUT you can decide to focus on one more than the others (since, as you will notice, the three are inter-related).

2) When discussing the case of Psychology, which is mostly discussed in Glasersfeld's and Gergen’s text, try to elaborate at least one example (either inspired by the texts or one of

the many that appear in said texts) that show the importance of constructivism (or knowledge as a construction), subjectivity, language-games or, among other things, a psychology that takes into consideration the diversity of human experience.

3) You have to make use of at least three (3) of the assigned texts.

Assigned texts:

Chalmers, A.F. (1999). Deriving theories from the facts: induction. In Alan F. Chalmers, What is this thing called science? (41-58). Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc.

Creswell, J. W. (2007). Philosophical, Paradigm, and Interpretive Frameworks. In John W. Creswell, Qualitative, Inquiry & Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches (15-34). London: Sage Publications.

Gergen, K. (2001). Psychological Science in Postmodern Context. American Psychologist 56 (10), 803-815.

Glasersfeld, E.V. (1996). Farewell to Objectivity. Systems Research 13 (3): 279-286. Hergenhahn, B.R. & Henley, T.B. (2014). Introduction. In B.R. Hergenhahn & Tracy B. Henley,

An Introduction to the History of Psychology (6-26). Belmont: Wadsworth.