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History of Psychology, 4/e
David Hothersall, Ohio State University


Preface

Hothersall Preface (66.0K)

Revisions and extensions in this fourth edition are more extensive than in the three earlier editions. They are based on the feedback I have received from faculty members who have used the book in their history of psychology courses, and in a smaller number of cases from students taking the class. A common theme of those reactions has been that the history of psychology as outlined in this book is far from being tedious and dull. Rather it is lively and interesting since so many historically important psychologists were fascinating, sometimes controversial and often engaging. Such reactions reaffirm the biographical approach to the history of psychology I have followed. I have also relied upon my own experience teaching history of psychology courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level at The Ohio State University and to advanced undergraduate students at Ohio Wesleyan University. Students in those classes have given me invaluable feedback on the text and have suggested additional material to be included and even material to be deleted. Finally, I have made extensive use of the growing literature on the history of psychology. Of the 250 new references and citations in this new edition, 148 are to papers and books published from 1995-2002. There are numerous references to works published last year. The text reflects and includes contemporary scholarship in the history of psychology. Journals such as Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences and History of Psychology publish impressive scholarship and research on the history of psychology. I am deeply indebted to their editors and to the many contributors whose works I have cited and read. In addition the American Psychologist and Contemporary Psychology continue to publish papers and reviews on the history of psychology. Those papers reflect an interest in the history of psychology held by a broad range of psychologists. The Archives of the History of American Psychology at the University of Akron - Bierce Library and the Newsletter for the Friends of the Archives of the History of American Psychology are dedicated to preserving psychology's history.

A new resource that has come to prominence since the last edition is the Internet. There are now many excellent web resources on the history of psychology including hundreds of original papers. To have such works available at the click of a mouse is a wonderful gift. Complete listings of web resources in the history of psychology for both instructors and students are in the Student Online Learning Center and Instructor's Manual.

The number of boxes highlighting contributions, controversies and links between contemporary psychology and its past has been increased. Unusual terms, phrases and words are defined throughout the book. Special attention has been paid to neglected contributors to psychology especially to women. The book's biographical approach is well suited to exploring why so many women have been neglected. The history of such episodes is both sad and instructive.

Supplementing this edition is a new Student Website and Instructor's Manual prepared by Professor Robert Tigner. Professor Tigner is uniquely qualified to prepare these materials having used this text in his courses on the history of psychology, reviewed earlier editions of this History of Psychology, and taken my course on the history of psychology as a graduate student at Ohio State. This online resource provides numerous study aides to enhance the learning experience. Students will find chapter outlines, objectives, discussion questions and practice quizzes, which complement the text. Additionally an interactive series of flashcards of key people and terms is provided for each chapter. Students interested in pursuing topics in greater detail will find numerous links to additional Internet resources. The Instructor's Manual (available on CD-ROM) has been completely redesigned and rewritten for the fourth edition. In addition to an extensive test bank of multiple-choice questions, the Instructor's Manual contains chapter outlines, web links to related sites, thoughtful essay questions and interesting class assignments and activities for each chapter.

As with earlier editions, this History of Psychology is intended for both advanced undergraduate students majoring in psychology and graduate students. Its length makes it suitable for either a quarter or semester-long course on the history of psychology. My hope is that the book will develop undergraduate student's interest in psychology and reinforce graduate students' commitment to psychology as a profession.

David Hothersall