The principles behind the teaching strategies of psychology courses in the curriculum of high schools : On the Basis of "The Human Behavior Curriculum Project"

Abstract

The purposes of this paper are to clarify the principles behind the teaching strategies of the psychology courses in high schools and to consider the place of the psychology courses in the curriculum of secondary schools. In this paper, the author tries to evaluate The Human Behavior Curriculum Project (HBCP) developed in 1981 by the American Psychological Association in collaboration with high school teachers. The project director is John Bare. The units of the HBCP is consisted 8 modules which are Natural Behavior in Humans & Animals, Changing Attitudes, States of Consciousness, Language & Communication, School Life & Organizational Psychology, Conditioning & Learning, Social Influences on Behavior, and Studying Personality. Each unit has a students' text book and a teacher handbook. The results of the analysis are: 1) the purposes of the HBCP are teaching how the human behavior is observed systematically, that there is enough regularity in human thought and behavior, and that human psychology has diversities as well as similarities; 2) the role of psychology courses in secondary schools is teaching how we use the principles of the psychology to understand why do people as they do; 3) the study of psychology promotes students' self-recognition; and 4) this self-recognition is necessary for students to be responsible adults.