How Cognitive Psychology Integrates with Christian Faith - Paper | PSYC 351 | Assignments Psychology

Psyc 351 Spring 2008

Integration Paper: Due Monday, April 21

Topic must be approved by me in writing (or email) by Fri, Mar 28

Annotated References submitted to me by Mon, Apr 7

50 points

Length 1700-2500 words (about 7-10 pages) not counting the reference section

Discuss ways in which cognitive psychology integrates with Christian Faith. Since this

isa rather short work, narrow the topic from cognitive psychology generally to a specific issue

incognitive psychology and write in a direct, concise manner. Recall the general sub-disciplines

incognitive psychology include (but may not be limited to) perception, attention,

memory,reasoning, decision making, problem solving, language, and artificial intelligence. Even

one ofthese sub-disciplines may be too large to cover in a 7- to 10-page essay. So, I suggest you

firstpick a sub-field, and then find a topic within it to write about.

Some of the issues involved in integration of faith and science are difficult even for

theologians and scientists to solve. I do not expect you to solve all the conflicts between the two,

but to engage the issues in a thoughtful way, and show me how this process has either changed

how you think about cognitive psychology, the bible and Christian faith, or how it has refined

your thinking about them. I am not looking for simplistic application of one or two bible verses

to a problem but rather careful thought on these themes throughout scripture. Nor am I looking

for a simplistic view of the state of cognitive science concerning your topic. I am looking to see

you develop what some of the areas of tension between Christian faith and cognitive science are,

as well as areas of agreement. Thoughtfulness about how the areas of tension might be addressed

is also a goal of this project. There are many levels and facets to integration. This paper will

address a rather straight-forward level as far as method. The content however, can become

difficult. Basically, you will examine whether the biblical view is in agreement or disagreement

with a cognitive science finding or area of study. Since the bible was not written as a science text

or as a psychology text, the evidences will likely often be indirect and require some knowledge of

not only the text of scripture but its context (textual, cultural and historical context at the very

least).

Format of the Paper (with questions to explore)

Format the paper s pecifically into the four areas mentioned below.

I. Introduction of Basic Cognit ive Scie nce Concept(s) and Findings (with supporting

references from the cognitive psychology lit erature). [10 points]

Summarize the basic findings from the cognitive science literature that you are using

as your science content area. Be sure to mention minority views as well as the majority view on

the chosen phenomena. Use at least 5 refereed journal articles or scholarly books (such as found

in PsychInfo or Medline searches at Buswell).

II. Statement of th e Biblical view of the area (with supporting scripture and commentary).

[10 points]

Using bible verses and passages, as well as scholarly works on biblical interpretation

(peer reviewed – such as found in the ALTA Religion Index at Buswell), state what you believe

Partial preview of the text

Download How Cognitive Psychology Integrates with Christian Faith - Paper | PSYC 351 and more Assignments Psychology in PDF only on Docsity!

Integration Paper: Due Monday, April 21

Topic must be approved by me in writing (or email) by Fri, Mar 28 Annotated References submitted to me by Mon, Apr 7 50 points Length 1700-2500 words (about 7-10 pages) not counting the reference section Discuss ways in which cognitive psychology integrates with Christian Faith. Since this isa rather short work, narrow the topic from cognitive psychology generally to a specific issue incognitive psychology and write in a direct, concise manner. Recall the general sub-disciplines incognitive psychology include (but may not be limited to) perception, attention, memory,reasoning, decision making, problem solving, language, and artificial intelligence. Even one ofthese sub-disciplines may be too large to cover in a 7- to 1 0 - page essay. So, I suggest you firstpick a sub-field, and then find a topic within it to write about. Some of the issues involved in integration of faith and science are difficult even for theologians and scientists to solve. I do not expect you to solve all the conflicts between the two, but to engage the issues in a thoughtful way, and show me how this process has either changed how you think about cognitive psychology, the bible and Christian faith, or how it has refined your thinking about them. I am not looking for simplistic application of one or two bible verses to a problem but rather careful thought on these themes throughout scripture. Nor am I looking for a simplistic view of the state of cognitive science concerning your topic. I am looking to see you develop what some of the areas of tension between Christian faith and cognitive science are, as well as areas of agreement. Thoughtfulness about how the areas of tension might be addressed is also a goal of this project. There are many levels and facets to integration. This paper will address a rather straight-forward level as far as method. The content however, can become difficult. Basically, you will examine whether the biblical view is in agreement or disagreement with a cognitive science finding or area of study. Since the bible was not written as a science text or as a psychology text, the evidences will likely often be indirect and require some knowledge of not only the text of scripture but its context (textual, cultural and historical context at the very least). Format of the Paper (with questions to explore) Format the paper specifically into the four areas mentioned below. I. Introduction of Basic Cognitive Science Concept(s) and Findings (with supporting references from the cognitive psychology literature). [10 points] Summarize the basic findings from the cognitive science literature that you are using as your science content area. Be sure to mention minority views as well as the majority view on the chosen phenomena. Use at least 5 refereed journal articles or scholarly books (such as found in PsychInfo or Medline searches at Buswell). II. Statement of the Biblical view of the area (with supporting scripture and commentary). [10 points] Using bible verses and passages, as well as scholarly works on biblical interpretation (peer reviewed – such as found in the ALTA Religion Index at Buswell), state what you believe

biblical teaching is in this area. Be thorough, not just using a single verse here or there. Avoid taking verses out of context or misapplying them. Use at least three scripture passages and at least two biblical studies or theological sources (biblical studies and theological sources include peer reviewed articles from theology or integration journals, mainstream commentaries, edited theology books (i.e. not single author books), etc). If in doubt, ask me. III. Conflicts, Agreements, and Possible Resolutions [10 points] Write explicitly on how each area impacts the other (the cognitive science on the biblical view and vice versa). How do the knowledge, data, and/or theory in this area (stated in section I) square with biblical teaching (as stated in Section II)? What specific biblical themes are supported or undercut by the data or interpretations found in section I? Again, be thorough and thoughtful, not just using a single verse here or there. Avoid taking verses out of context or misapplying them. For consistencies, explain why they are consistent between the two realms. Back up your arguments with references if possible (i.e. if anyone has made that argument before). Regarding any inconsistency between the cognitive sciences and the biblical view, what might be the cause? Is there an interpretation problem on the part of the scientists (i.e. the data could be accounted for in a way that is biblically consistent and just as scientifically sound) or is it on the part of the theologians (i.e. the findings/methods are not actually at odds with scripture, but with some theologians’ or Christians’ [wrong or less tenable] interpretations of scripture)? Is there a different possible cause (or causes)? In any areas of disagreement, discuss your suggested reinterpretation of biblical or scientific understanding which could reconcile the two. Were there any ways that your understanding of biblical doctrine changed while researching this paper (i.e. did section II turn out differently in the final version than you originally thought)? If you can suggest no solutions to how the bible and the cognitive findings you have chosen may be integrated, why not? Support your contention of “no solution” with references and supporting arguments (For instance, to support such and such finding would require believing Jesus was not the son of God, which is clearly inconsistent with a biblical point of view.) Optional (possible extra points): Are there experiments or areas of experimentation that could support or refute your cause (i.e. what experiments or types of experiments might be able to confirm or deny your contentions about how to reinterpret the bible, cognitive scientific theory, etc. to reconcile the two)? Give examples and what both positive and negative outcomes of the experiments would mean. IV. Apologetics (how do you either communicate the concordance of biblical teaching with the scientists’ work or how do you remove the discordance from being a stumbling block to the gospel for that person or others?) [10 points] If there are areas of congruence between Christian Faith and cognitive science mentioned above, how would you interact with a cognitive scientist to discuss the congruence of their findings with biblical teaching? How would you approach suggesting they change their view on areas of conflict? If you believe reinterpretation of scripture could be the integrative answer (while being true to the Word of God) how would you share this different view of scripture with the scientist to both show them the possible congruence of the bible and their field and also to avoid bashing another Christian’s (possibly correct) interpretation of the scripture? If you cannot

Is this process unique to humankind? What makes this topic ‘integrative'? What effects does the process have on our day to day relationship with Christ? Are there other topics that you might be more interested in? Some common mistakes in writing the paper

Not writing on what the bible says or does not say about the cognitive concept! e.g if speaking on role of flashbulb memory in writing the gospels, one must be sure to reference what the bible might have to say about memory (either through direct expository statements, implications or direct wording ion the verses, or canonical and intertextual considerations of the content and form of the biblical narrative, books, their order, etc.), and its reliability.
Trying to explain how to use psychology concepts to be a better Christian (e.g. how to use memory findings to commit more scripture to memory). That is not faith-learning integration, although we should do whatever we can to improve on our Christian walk. (= faith-praxis integration)
Always directly quoting each source (especially long quotes). You should summarize what it says, then cite it. If you can’t paraphrase it, you don’t really know what it says….
Insufficient or entirely absent biblical references for a biblical view of the area.
Merely repeating section III in section IV. Remember, in section III you are saying what you think is the truth. In section IV you are emphasizing how that truth can be contextualized in an interchange between you and another person who may not be ready to hear all you say in section III the way it was said there. How would you deal with a real person with a different ideology and worldview with whom you cannot simply make rough assertions of truth and then simply walk away? Some Resources that may help you: Some Books that may help you: “Psychology Through the Eyes of Faith” by David G. Myers & Malcolm A. Jeeves “Minding God” by Gregory Peterson “Not Just Science” – many small chapters on integration topics, often written by Wheaton College professors and Administrators. Some Journals which often contain integration ideas (beware these are often about clinical psychology and not Cognitive psychology) Christian Scholar’s Review Journal of Psychology & Theology Journal of Psychology and Christianity Perspectives on Science & Christian Faith Some Websites http://www.fullerseminary.net/sop/integration/ http://www.fullerseminary.net/sop/integration/Symposium/Symposium%202005/Symposium2005.html http://www.asa3.org/ASA/PSCF.html http://www.cccu.org/resourcecenter/ParentCatID.215/resourcecenter.asp Some Psychology Journals Cognitive psychology Experimental psychology Journal of Experimental Psychology: human perception and performance Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, memory, and cognition Science Nature Nature Neuroscience Nature Reviews: Neuroscience Cerebral Cortex Journal of Neuroscience Cognitive Neuroscience

Behavioral and Brain Sciences Neuron Brain Psychological Bulletin Psychological Review Behavioral Neuroscience Google searches: Faith Learning Integration Integration Psychology Christianity Integration Psychology Christian Faith Integration Psychology Faith Science Faith Integration Religion Science Also, you should use PsychInfo or Medline and search on concepts like: Christian, Faith, Religion, Belief, Bible, (or a combination of them) etc….. Do an AND search with terms like: Memory, Problem Solving, Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, Reasoning, Language, etc… Often it is useful to limit them to:

full text available online (although we do have many articles in our brick and mortar library).
english language
review article (for good overviews of recent research in an area and lots of references to follow up on)
recent years (often, the knowledge base changes in 5 years or so in psych and in biblical studies! – looking at older sources can help you see how opinion in this area has changed) The library has training in how to search the databases. I highly recommend them. See: http://wheatonreference.blogspot.com/2007_09_01_archive.html# You should also use the ALTA Religion Index to find reviewed biblical interpretation stuff relevant to the verses you use. You can search by biblical text. (for instance you can select “Scripture Citation” as one of the search fields and type in “Colossians 1” to find works referencing what is said there). Of course you can also use keywords and subjects as search values as well.

How Cognitive Psychology Integrates with Christian Faith - Paper | PSYC 351, Assignments of Psychology

Related documents

Partial preview of the text

Download How Cognitive Psychology Integrates with Christian Faith - Paper | PSYC 351 and more Assignments Psychology in PDF only on Docsity!

Integration Paper: Due Monday, April 21