Discussion #1

Ordinarily, I spend a week discussing how the philosophy of science impacts the field of developmental psychology.

You will need to read some notes of mine, and maybe do some looking around at Google or Wikipedia. I encourage exploration and questions.

Begin by reading Section 5 of my lecture notes on Change versus Development.

Although not required, you may find it helpful to read the notes from the beginning.



So, here is the Written Assignment:

  1. First, create a Google Document and give me permission to read and revisise it by sending a sharing invitation to bholt@northseattle.edu.
  2. The document should define, in your own words, Epistemology, Instrumental-Communicative behavior and Expressive-Constitutive behavior. Give it your best shot. This is due by Friday by 10pm..
  3. Once you have created this document, sign up in a group at WEBCT within the discussion area. It should be clear how to sign up as a team. In doing this, share your @northseattle.edu email.
  4. Individually, answer the following question by adding to the document you completed above: Identify and describe a human behavior from both an Instrumental-Communicative Point of view as well as an Expressive-Constitutive Point of view. Keep the behavior simple--really simple, otherwise, it get's confusing because behavior can be very complex.Picking up a pencil would be a good example. Heck, squeezing your fingers together around the pencil (i.e., picking it before lifting) would even work.
  5. Once you have taken a rough stab at answring the question, go to the google document set up by your instructor and create your group document.
  6. As a group, come up with a consensus answer. In other words, as a team, identify a simple behavior and describe it from both points of view. You don't have to choose a new behavior; using one of your team member's is fine. This answer will be submitted as a team by inviting me to read/revise it. This part is due by Sunday at 10pm.
This may be a difficult question to answer. In a classroom we can where I can gauge what people are learning. I encourage you to post questions in the discussion room . Try to help each other out. I will comment too and point you in the right direction. Disagreements and debate are welcome!

Professor Brian