Using the Dead to Teach the Living

Abstract

The American Psychologist did not regularly publish the obituaries of prominent psychologists until 1979. The objective of the obituary section was not to canonize the deceased, but rather to respond to the field’s budding interest in the history of psychology. This article argues that the obituary, when viewed as a historical document, offers great pedagogical value in the psychology classroom. With distinct advantages over traditional instructional approaches, the obituaries of preeminent psychologists (1) include anecdotes that are often not covered in typical psychology textbooks, (2) present biographical information that has the potential to increase personal relevance to students and capitalize on the self-reference effect, and (3) reflect the zeitgeist of the field. Specific recommendations for how to incorporate obituaries into the psychology curriculum are suggested.