ABSTRACT
The introductory psychology class is a dynamic monster. Psychology evolves and grows with each new discovery, each new technology, each new idea. The daunting task before each introductory psychology instructor is to keep up to date with these discoveries, technologies, and ideas so students not only get accurate information, but also a good picture of psychology as a discipline today. When psychology formally began in 1879, psychologists sought to discover what the mind was. Through the years, psychology progressed through just about every imaginable perspective-Freud’s racy theories of the unconscious, Watson’s bold behaviorist vision, Maslow’s ideas of human potential-to settle into the bio-social-culturalbehavioral-cognitive milieu now taught in introductory psychology. Introductory psychology is in the unique position of presenting this rich history of psychology and the up-to-the-minute ideas that are transforming modern views of behavior.
Add students who have varied preconceived notions about what psychology is (e.g., see Chew, chap. 15, this volume), and the recipe for a great intellectual challenge is in place.
