Classic Articles as Primary Source Reading in Introductory Psychology

Abstract

Given the frequent use of primary source readings by introductory psychology teachers, especially at liberal arts colleges, we compiled the citation frequencies of classic articles in introductory textbooks to help teachers select readings for their courses. Using a random sample of 24 of the most recent introductory texts (copyright dates 2004–2006), we checked for citation of the 40 classic studies that Gorenflo and McConnell (1991) identified as cited in a simple majority of textbooks in the late 1980s. We found that 22 of these articles still met this citation criterion. We discuss the general content of these articles and ways to supplement them to comprise a sufficiently diverse set of possible readings for the introductory course.