Philosophy of Psychology

• • Topics may include:
  • Precursors to Cognitive Science
  • Identity Theory and Functionalism
  • Computational Theory of Mind
  • The Modular Mind
  • Embodied, Embedded and Extended Cognition
  • The WEIRD Problem and the Enculturated Mind
  • Beyond Evolutionary Psychology
  • Consciousness, Neuroscience and Non-Western Philosophy
  • Predictive Processing
  • The Replication Crisis and other issues

Equivalent subjects

You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:

• MAQ-PHIX262-Body and Mind (No longer available)

Others

Pre-requisite: 40cp at 1000 level or above NCCW (pre-2020 units) PHI220, PHL262, PHIL262, PHIX262 NCCW (2020 and onwards) PHIL2062 Philosophy of Psychology

Additional requirements

• Other requirements -

  Students who have an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion under Macquarie University's Academic Progression Policy are not permitted to enrol in OUA units offered by Macquarie University. Students with an Academic Standing of Suspension or Exclusion who have enrolled in units through OUA will be withdrawn.

This subject was previously known as PHI220 Body and Mind and PHIX262 Body and Mind.

Psychologists study the mind, but what exactly is a mind? What is the relationship between the mind and the body? What is consciousness? Do we know our own minds, or are we driven by unconscious motivations? In this unit we will examine these big philosophical questions about the mind, and we will also explore the philosophical foundations of different forms of psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy is advertised as "evidence based". What does the evidence show about its effectiveness? What is the scientific status of psychoanalysis--is it a pseudoscience, as its critics maintain? We will also explore topical issues in the philosophy of psychology, such as the following. To what extent, if any, can differences between the sexes be explained by brain differences? Did humans evolve to be racist? Do non-human animals have minds? What makes us choose our romantic partners, and where do we fall when we fall in love? No background in psychology is necessary for this unit.

• Media presentation (20%)
• Aysnchronous online tutorial activities (20%)
• Online quizzes (25%)
• Final Essay (35%)

For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).