Department of Psychology Records

Collection

Identifier: UA 0004.0023

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the official records that reflect the functions and activities of the UNCG Department of Psychology. Items include materials related to animal rights, colloquiums, committees, lectures, course proposals, faculty meetings, correspondence, and memoranda.

Dates

1953 - 2000

Creator

Department of Psychology (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Biographical or Historical Information

The Psychology Department grew, like many other departments, out of the Curry School of Education. What started originally as a collection of courses dealing with educational psychology, eventually grew into a small department by 1924 under the leadership of James A. Highsmith. During the late 1920's and 1930's the program was expanded to become more research oriented. 1931 saw the arrival of Key L. Barkley, who continued to expand the program through the Depression and into the 1940's. The program continued to grow through the 1950's and 1960's, adding a Master's degree in 1964. Under the leadership of Robert Eason, the Psychology program developed as a leading institution for the study of clinical psychology, drawing students from across the country. In 1979, the university's Psychology Ph.D. program was fully accredited by the American Psychological Association.

By 1983, the Ph.D. program was ranked highly in a national survey and the Department professed to be bringing in a third to half of all outside grants to UNCG. In 1980, Robert Eason stepped down as head of the department and was replaced in 1982 by Gilbert Gottleib. He was replaced in 1986 by Walter Salinger who served as head of the department until 1993. Anthony DeCasper succeded Salinger as head of the department.

Extent

7.09 Linear Feet (18 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Department of Psychology developed out of the Curry School of Education in the 1920s under the leadership of James A. Highsmith. It has continued to develop over the last century and now includes a M.A. and Ph.D program.

The records for the Department of Psychology contain correspondence, memoranda, reports and course proposals.

Arrangement Note

The arrangement scheme for this collection was imposed during processing in the absence of a useable original order. This collection is arranged into five series. Folders in series II and V are organized alphabetically while series I, III, and IV are arranged in chronological order. Within each folder, documents are arranged in chronological order. Series 1: Annual Reports, 1970-2003 Series 2: Correspondence, 1973-1999 Series 3: Course Proposals, 1953-2000 Series 4: Colloquium, 1977-1999 Series 5: General Files, 1963-2008

Method of Acquisition

Transferred from the Department of Psychology in 1987, 1989, 1999, and 2008.

Offensive Language Statement

The UNC Greensboro University Libraries collects, preserves, and makes accessible unique and historical materials for learning and research. The nature of historical materials is such that some material may represent positions, norms, and values that are offensive and objectionable. These materials represent the opinions and actions of their creators. By providing access to these records in our reading room and through our digital collections, we recognize that archives and rare books can play a vital role in holding those creators accountable and in helping us learn from the past.

Our finding aids and other collection descriptions may occasionally re-use language provided by creators or former holders of the materials, but we strive to place outdated or offensive terminology in context. That said, we recognize that we may not always make the right decision and welcome feedback from all sources so we can learn and adjust our practices. Please contact us at scua@uncg.edu if you encounter problematic language in our finding aids or other collection description. We will review the language and, as appropriate, update it in a way that balances preservation of the original context with our ongoing commitment to describing materials with respectful and inclusive language.