Controversy in the psychology classroom : using hot topics to foster critical thinking / edited by Dana S. Dunn ... [and others].

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Dunn, Dana.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Psychology--Study and teaching.

Psychology.

Psychology--Study and teaching (Higher).

Physical Description:

xix, 272 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Washington, DC : American Psychological Association, [2013]

Summary:

In the classroom, vigorous engagement with psychology's-and society's-flash points can help students learn the critical thinking skills they will need as future psychologists. Yet some teachers feel ill equipped when it comes to broaching disagreeable topics, managing the resulting heated debates, and helping students to separate their personal feelings from objective scientific evidence. This book provides guidance for faculty who want to open debates on controversial topics while creating and maintaining a safe classroom Environment for discussion.

The first section provides teachers with guiding frameworks for blending rigorous discussion with careful analysis. The second section of the book explores ways to help students develop empirically based conclusions on such topics as evolutionary psychology, spanking and child fearing, sexual orientation and same-sex marriage, and animals research in psychology. In the third section, readers learn how to consider multiple points of view regarding the psychology of evil; diversity and social justice, gender, race and ethnicity; religion and spirituality; disability; and health psychology and policy.

Throughout the volume, educators are instructed in the intentional use of controversies to help students experience complex social dynamics while sharpening their skills in critical thinking. Book jacket.

Contents:

I. Guiding frameworks for teaching about controversial issues. Frames of reference : social psychological perspectives for teaching about controversial issues / Dana S. Dunn, Regan A. R. Gurung, and Karen Z. Naufel ; Preventing and handling classroom disruptions / Kristin M. Vespia and Tonya E. Filz ; Treating students asearly-career professionals : the ethics of teaching / Maureen A. McCarthy and R. Eric Landrum

II. Helping students arrive at an empirically based conclusion. Seven tools for teaching evolutionary psychology / David M. Buss ; Hitting close to home : teaching about spanking / Elizabeth T. Gershoff ; Sexual orientation, marriage, and students of faith / David G. Myers ; Addressing the role of animal research in psychology / Suzanne C. Baker and Sherry L. Serdikoff

III. Opening consideration of multiple views. Overcoming discomfort when teaching about evil and immorality / Karen Z. Naufel ; Anticipating and working with controversy in diversity and social justice topics / Cheryl B. Warner, Rosemary E. Phelps, Delishia M. Pittman, and Carla S. Moore ; Gender matters : engaging students in controversial issues / Elizabeth Yost Hammer and Eugenia M. Valentine ; Teaching about race and ethnicity / Mary E. Kite ; Spirituality and religion : how contexts, developmental processes, and personal experiences influence behavior / Dean D. VonDras ; Disabilty as diversity rather than (in)difference : undestanding others' experiences through one's own / Dana S. Dunn, David J. Fisher, and Brittany M. Beard ; Health psychology and policy : when politics infiltrate science / Regan A. R. Gurung and Daniel Bruns

IV. Concluding thoughts and going forward. Using controversies to teach scientific thinking in psychology : topics and issues / Jeffrey D. Holmes.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

143381238X

9781433812385

OCLC:

795354433

Publisher Number:

99954040765