Teaching and Learning Psychology through an Analysis of Social Science Fiction

N

15

Science Fiction; Teaching Methods; Higher Education; Conferences (Gatherings); Social Sciences; Content Analysis; Social Theories; Psychology; Behavior; Criticism; Honors Curriculum

This paper is designed to accompany an appearance by the author as a panelist during a session on science fiction and teaching methods at the I-CON 28 Science Fiction Convention held April 3-5, 2009, on Long Island (near New York City). The author describes how he employs social science fiction in an honors course at the university level to promote the deeper understanding of how psychological theory, research findings, and scientific ideas can be applied to better understand human behavior. Imaginative literature is critically examined from an artistic and intellectual point of view in order to help students detect the obvious and sometimes underlying presence of psychological content. In addition to defining terms such as social science fiction and outlining exemplary stories that lend themselves particularly well to a psychological analysis, a situation in the short story "Deadlier Specie" written by David A. Kyle is analyzed as an example of what is accomplished in class. The major conclusion of the paper is that the teaching of psychology at the higher education level can be enhanced through the critical analysis of science fiction. (Contains 1 table.)

As Provided

16

2009

ED505004