The Status of the History of Psychology Course in British and Irish Psychology Departments

Abstract

The history of psychology has a limited role in psychology departments. In many departments, the role of the subject is limited to a single undergraduate course, though there are also some departments that do not offer any courses in the subject. Many historians of psychology see the continued presence of the undergraduate course as important for the continued health of the field and there have been concerns expressed over the fact that some departments are no longer offering the course. These concerns have led to surveys being carried out in the United States and Canada but no such surveys have been carried out in Europe to date. The present study goes some way towards rectifying this situation by providing details of a survey of British and Irish psychology departments. The main finding is that the subject is not as widely taught as it is in Canada and the United States. It also tends to be offered as part of an introduction to psychology in the first year, whereas many American and Canadian departments offer a more detailed course in the final year. Many of the other findings are similar. The courses are generally taught by specialists in other areas of psychology who have the history of psychology as a secondary teaching interest. Few departments consider it important to have a specialist in the history of psychology. The view that the history of psychology can be adequately covered by incorporating historical material into other courses, which is commonly held in Britain, is also discussed.

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