Psychology Library Editions: History of Psychology – serie

Originally published between 1928 and 1987, the volumes in this set provide an interesting look back at how psychology has developed as a discipline and some of the problems it has encountered along the way. It includes volumes focusing on the history of specific fields such as developmental and experimental psychology, as well as examining the roots of psychological theory as a whole and how it has informed many of the fields of psychology we know today.

Originally published in 1960, this study was rooted in the conviction that a close cooperation between the disciplines of psychology and history opened new and fruitful perspectives for the understanding of both fields. The title is an investigation of the connection between history and psychology, discussing how a society shapes and conditions the minds of those born into it. The author takes a close look at Greek society at the time of Pericles, and English society of the Elizabethan era. Though presented in the idiom of psychology, the problems with which this book is concerned, should appeal to historian and psychologist alike.

Originally published in 1960, this study was rooted in the conviction that a close cooperation between the disciplines of psychology and history opened new and fruitful perspectives for the understanding of both fields. The title is an investigation of the connection between history and psychology, discussing how a society shapes and conditions the minds of those born into it. The author takes a close look at Greek society at the time of Pericles, and English society of the Elizabethan era. Though presented in the idiom of psychology, the problems with which this book is concerned, should appeal to historian and psychologist alike.

Originally published in 1964, the story of the development of psychology in Great Britain had never been told. In the 1840s, when John Stuart Mill wrote about ‘Psychology’ in his treatise on Logic, the word was hardly known to the British public. Today the subject is taught in nearly every university, and psychologists are professionally employed by many public bodies.The British contribution to the dramatic rise of psychology was an exceptionally important one, and had been shamefully neglected not only by the public but by British psychologists themselves. The tendency at the time to regard the subject through American spectacles distorted the role of British pioneers. Significant British contributions had been almost completely forgotten – those of Carpenter, Lewes, Spalding and Lubbock for example – and the work of men such as Hughlings Jackson and Romanes had been greatly undervalued. Not the least important feature of the book is its reassessment of the work of many individuals.In relating the rise of psychology and its application to concomitant developments in medicine, physiology, biology, sociology, anthropology and statistics and to changes in the prevailing philosophic climate, the author shows psychology to be an integral part of the scientific, intellectual and social history of the past century.

Originally published in 1964, the story of the development of psychology in Great Britain had never been told. In the 1840s, when John Stuart Mill wrote about ‘Psychology’ in his treatise on Logic, the word was hardly known to the British public. Today the subject is taught in nearly every university, and psychologists are professionally employed by many public bodies.The British contribution to the dramatic rise of psychology was an exceptionally important one, and had been shamefully neglected not only by the public but by British psychologists themselves. The tendency at the time to regard the subject through American spectacles distorted the role of British pioneers. Significant British contributions had been almost completely forgotten – those of Carpenter, Lewes, Spalding and Lubbock for example – and the work of men such as Hughlings Jackson and Romanes had been greatly undervalued. Not the least important feature of the book is its reassessment of the work of many individuals.In relating the rise of psychology and its application to concomitant developments in medicine, physiology, biology, sociology, anthropology and statistics and to changes in the prevailing philosophic climate, the author shows psychology to be an integral part of the scientific, intellectual and social history of the past century.

Originally published in 1987, The Shaping of Modern Psychology presents a systematic survey of the development of psychology from the dawn of civilization to the late 1980s. Psychology as we find it today has been shaped by many influences, philosophical, theological, scientific, medical and sociological. It has deep roots in the whole history of human thought, and its significance cannot be properly appreciated without an understanding of the way it has developed. This book covers the history of modern psychology from its animistic beginnings, through the Greek philosophers and the Christian theologians, and developments such as the Scientific Revolution, to the time of first publication. The author drew on many years’ teaching experience in the subject and on a lifetime’s interest in psychology.The growth of psychology had been particularly impressive during the twentieth century and Professor Hearnshaw also looked to the future of the discipline. He showed that the new vistas opening out in fields such as neuropsychology, information theory and artificial intelligence, for example, were hopeful indications for the future, provided the lessons of the past were not forgotten. With the benefit of hindsight, we now know that he was right!

Originally published in 1987, The Shaping of Modern Psychology presents a systematic survey of the development of psychology from the dawn of civilization to the late 1980s. Psychology as we find it today has been shaped by many influences, philosophical, theological, scientific, medical and sociological. It has deep roots in the whole history of human thought, and its significance cannot be properly appreciated without an understanding of the way it has developed. This book covers the history of modern psychology from its animistic beginnings, through the Greek philosophers and the Christian theologians, and developments such as the Scientific Revolution, to the time of first publication. The author drew on many years’ teaching experience in the subject and on a lifetime’s interest in psychology.The growth of psychology had been particularly impressive during the twentieth century and Professor Hearnshaw also looked to the future of the discipline. He showed that the new vistas opening out in fields such as neuropsychology, information theory and artificial intelligence, for example, were hopeful indications for the future, provided the lessons of the past were not forgotten. With the benefit of hindsight, we now know that he was right!

Originally published in 1983, the purpose of this book was to discuss the relations between philosophy and developmental psychology, as those relations existed over the course of the history of the discipline and as they existed at that time. Although not all portions of developmental psychology are surveyed, major proponents of several key areas are represented (e.g. organismic developmental theory, stage theory, life-span-developmental psychology, and the ecological approach to development). In addition, discussion of many currently prominent issues are included (e.g. constancy and change in human development, the use of multivariate models and methods, the role of the context in individual development, and the use of developmental theory in public policy and political arenas). The diversity of approaches and of interests present in the book are representative of the breadth of theoretical and empirical interests found in developmental psychology at the time.

Originally published in 1983, the purpose of this book was to discuss the relations between philosophy and developmental psychology, as those relations existed over the course of the history of the discipline and as they existed at that time. Although not all portions of developmental psychology are surveyed, major proponents of several key areas are represented (e.g. organismic developmental theory, stage theory, life-span-developmental psychology, and the ecological approach to development). In addition, discussion of many currently prominent issues are included (e.g. constancy and change in human development, the use of multivariate models and methods, the role of the context in individual development, and the use of developmental theory in public policy and political arenas). The diversity of approaches and of interests present in the book are representative of the breadth of theoretical and empirical interests found in developmental psychology at the time.

Over the previous decade, Robert E. Lana had attempted to understand the enterprise of psychology as a totality. Such an attempt was unpopular in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s but had become increasingly more popular to psychologists in the 1970s. After considerable study, he became convinced that the twin vehicles for such a task were the history of the field and the epistemological contexts into which psychological theories fit. Originally published in 1976, the initial chapters in this volume are devoted to explaining, through history, the major epistemological ideas either implicit or explicit in modern psychological theory. Later chapters are studies of the epistemological contexts that, in part, yield modern psychological theory.

Over the previous decade, Robert E. Lana had attempted to understand the enterprise of psychology as a totality. Such an attempt was unpopular in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s but had become increasingly more popular to psychologists in the 1970s. After considerable study, he became convinced that the twin vehicles for such a task were the history of the field and the epistemological contexts into which psychological theories fit. Originally published in 1976, the initial chapters in this volume are devoted to explaining, through history, the major epistemological ideas either implicit or explicit in modern psychological theory. Later chapters are studies of the epistemological contexts that, in part, yield modern psychological theory.

Originally published in 1928, this title attempts to give a short historical outline of the treatment which ‘temperament’ had received at the hands of psychological theory. From the time of Hippocrates ‘temperament’ had figured in philosophical and psychological writings as one of the constituents which determine behaviour. The language in which it had been treated had been vague and obscure, and this, combined with the equally indeterminate associations which were carried over from the speech of everyday life at the time, had contrived to surround the subject with an atmosphere of unreality which was in sharp contrast to the significance of the role assigned to it.

Originally published in 1928, this title attempts to give a short historical outline of the treatment which ‘temperament’ had received at the hands of psychological theory. From the time of Hippocrates ‘temperament’ had figured in philosophical and psychological writings as one of the constituents which determine behaviour. The language in which it had been treated had been vague and obscure, and this, combined with the equally indeterminate associations which were carried over from the speech of everyday life at the time, had contrived to surround the subject with an atmosphere of unreality which was in sharp contrast to the significance of the role assigned to it.

This volume, originally published in 1979, sponsored by the Psychonomic Society (the North American association of research psychologists), commemorates the centennial of experimental psychology as a separate discipline – dated from the opening of Wilhelm Wundt’s laboratory at Leipzig in 1879. Each major research area is surveyed by distinguished experts, and the chapters treat historical background and progress, experimental findings and methods, critical theoretical issues, evaluations of the current state of the art, future prospects, and even practical and social relevance of the work. Writing in a lively style suitable for non-specialists, the authors provide a general introduction to the history of experimental psychology. Illustrated by many photographs of leading historical figures, this book blends history with methodology, findings with theory, and discussion of specific topics with integrated assessments of what has truly been accomplished in the first hundred years of experimental psychology.

This volume, originally published in 1979, sponsored by the Psychonomic Society (the North American association of research psychologists), commemorates the centennial of experimental psychology as a separate discipline – dated from the opening of Wilhelm Wundt’s laboratory at Leipzig in 1879. Each major research area is surveyed by distinguished experts, and the chapters treat historical background and progress, experimental findings and methods, critical theoretical issues, evaluations of the current state of the art, future prospects, and even practical and social relevance of the work. Writing in a lively style suitable for non-specialists, the authors provide a general introduction to the history of experimental psychology. Illustrated by many photographs of leading historical figures, this book blends history with methodology, findings with theory, and discussion of specific topics with integrated assessments of what has truly been accomplished in the first hundred years of experimental psychology.

Dr Saugstad’s dominant interest was in the area of thinking. Many psychologists would have been familiar with his published work in this field at the time. To gain a clearer understanding of the thought processes, he carried out extensive studies of perception.First published in 1965, this book originated in an attempt to reconcile a phenomenological and a behavioristic approach to psychology. Basic assumptions in phenomenology, behavioristics and psychophysics are examined. It is shown that in phenomenology theoretical concepts tend to be treated as observations, whereas in behavioristics observations tend to be treated as theoretical concepts. It is pointed out that the relationship between observer and observed event is confused throughout the history of psychology. This confusion, the author insists, is due to the fact that man’s cognitive processes are to a large extent unknown. In relating observations to each other, the psychologist will of necessity contaminate his observations unless he follows specific rules. This fundamental point had apparently not been previously realized by psychologists.In order to develop an adequate conception of scientific psychology, the nature of man’s cognitive processes must be taken into account. When this is done, one sees that drastic revisions of current conceptions of psychology are necessary. This book presents a conception of psychology which does take into account man’s cognitive processes.