***For my writing project, I have chosen B.F. Skinner as my prominent psychologist. Indeed, I will discuss Skinner’s works on behaviourism in greater detail, including his views about operant conditioning and the scope of his influence on psychology.
The discipline of Psychology: Behaviorism—I will report on behaviourism, which consists of Skinner’s theories and their impact on psychology. Specifically, I will focus on behaviour: behaviour is observable and reinforced.
Special Groups/Individuals: Parents—I would like to observe whether Skinner’s ideas have significantly impacted the parenting styles and techniques they apply, such as operant conditioning and behaviour modification in child-rearing.
Society: Educational Systems There, I will study behaviourist principles in educational systems.
Critical Analysis Letter or Creative Project Overview
APA FORMAT
PURPOSE
Purpose of the Critical Analysis Letter or Creative Project, is to investigate a historical figure in psychology with depth and explore their contributions to psychology, special groups/individuals and society overall. This will allow students to further connect with how psychology’s past continues to influence our present (and future).
CRITICAL ANALYSIS LETTER – OVERALL
Students shall write a letter to a historical figure in psychology and tell them how their concept, model, theory and/or research has impacted 1) the discipline of psychology; 2) Individuals or groups of individuals (i.e., women, BIPOC, therapists) and 3) society as a whole. Letters must critically analyze components of the historical figure’s past contribution in relation to the three aforementioned domains of impact. This is not an opinion paper or summative paper. Therefore, papers must reflect upon issues and themes discussed in class to analyze impact historical figure has had on psychology, individuals and society as a whole. Paper must include research-based evidence to validate analysis of impact. Letters shall be 5 pages in length, written in APA format and provide solution to the issues presented in the letter. Letter is worth up to 50 points.
THE SELECTIONS
1. Select a prominent figure in Psychology (Shiraev and/or Guthrie Text) and develop a strong understanding of their contribution(s) to psychology. Read everything about them!
2. Select specifically three domains of impact you want to discuss. For example:
Discipline of Psychology = Behaviorism
Special Groups/Individuals = Parents
Society = Educational Systems
3. Select research articles relating the domains of impact selected. You may or may not find research that specifically relates your domain to the historical figure. That’s OK! The writing challenge is to make inferences about modern research and your historical figures contribution to our modern society.
THE LETTER
Now that you’ve gathered all the research and data you will need for this assignment, write your letter to your historical figure! You will want to present a BRIEF summary of the historical figures general contribution. This should be a short paragraph (1-3 sentences) and the lead in of your letter (please see excerpt in hand-out). The letter should not be an exhaustive summary of WHAT the historical figure did but rather HOW their contributions impacted the 3 selected domains: discipline of psychology (i.e., behaviorism), individuals (i.e., parents) and society (i.e. education systems). You must use the research evidence and appropriate citations to support what you’re sharing to the historical figure in your letter.
