Careers in the history and theory of psychology

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Can anyone here testify to the possibility and reality of career options with a PhD in the history and theory of psychology??

Right now I'm considering programs that will offer a good training in history/theory, developmental, and methods/statistics. I fancy myself a generalist, with history/theory being one of my main interests. However, it seems a limiting one, careerwise, whereas with developmental or methodology, there are avenues other than academics and teaching.

Thanks!

-- Matt Jans (matthewjans@hotmail.com), March 16, 2001

Answers

There are relatively few academic jobs *specifically* for historians or theoreticians of psychology. That is why here at York, we strongly urge our students to train in another "mainstream" area (cognitive, developmental, social, personality, clinical, etc.) as well, through graduate research practica. Thus, upon graduation they will qualify for positions in their "other" area as well. Frequently jobs descriptions in "mainstream" areas will have "ability to teach history of psychology" as a secondary requirement. Our H/T students are highly competetive especially for those positions. The strategy seems to have been effective, given the number of our recent grads who have found university positions in recent years.

As you say, there are few places outside of the university for an historian/theoretician of psychology to work (and stay in the field). There isn't "applied" work in H/T like there is for developmental and statistics. One such "alternative stream" for H/T, however, is working in libraries or museums. A recent York H/T PhD, for instance, has been working at the Museum of Science and Technology in London for the past few years.

-- Christopher Green (christo@yorku.ca), March 16, 2001.


Given that the three interest areas you mention are one I share, let me respond to your question about a career as a historian of psychology.

One way to think about the issue you raise is to think not just about interests, but skills that you can acquire in your graduate training. I received an MA in History/Theory in 1989 and a Ph.D. in Developmental in 1992, both at the University of New Hampshire; in addition I ended up with a strong enough quantiative training to teach undergrad and graduate courses in statistics and have contributed to over a dozen different research projects since then as the "numbers" person.

One of the primary reasons I opted for a non-historical area for my Ph.D. was that I felt I would have more options by stregthening my quantitative skills in a *traditional* empirical area (NB: I do consider history to be empirical!). Things may have changed in ten years, but, even in academics, I suspect my quantitative-developmental training opened more doors for me than a historical one would have by itself. I am as busy as I will let myself collaborating (publications)and consulting ($) on quantitative issues. I've been able to find a place (small liberal arts college) where I teach in all three areas, both undergrad and grad (clinical).

The downside, though, is that I've had to be content with dabbling in history (teaching only) and have only recently been able to carve out time to reacquaint myself with my first love (i.e., historical questions).

It would be helpful to hear from more recently trained historians of psychology; mine is a idiosycratic story (as I guess they all are).

-- Trey Buchanan (Trey.Buchanan@wheaton.edu), March 16, 2001.


Hi Matt, as far as limitations, one of the things that I have noticed that you might want to take into consideration while considering the history & theory option is that it seems to be appreciated only in schools located in "cold" places, for example Toronto and Hew Hampshire and London. Possible draw-back, think about it. Best, David

-- david clark (doclark@yorku.ca), March 19, 2001.

Matt, if you "fancy yourself a generalist", as you say, and wish to avoid the pitfalls that accompany the attempt at a career in H&T of psychology, you should consider applying to cognitive science programs. Although they do not provide training in the history of psychology, some of the more theoretically oriented CS programs will allow you to do work in theoretical and philosophical psychology. In addition, if you have trouble restricting yourself to one discipline, CS programs allow a high degree of interdisciplinary study--which is rare these days. Finally, while a Ph.D in H&T of psychology might leave you packing boxes at UPS with a student loan debt in the tens- of-thousands, a Ph.D in CS gives you a much better shot at a university position. On a personal note: I too wanted to study theoretical psychology but found that the risk of unemployment was much too great. Instead I'm starting a Master's program in the Philosophy of Cognitive Science at the University of Sussex, in England, this fall. You might want to check out their program. Best of luck!

-- Luis Concepcion (Lyceum12@yahoo.com), April 11, 2001.

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