Points of View in the Modern History of Psychology

Points of View in the Modern History of Psychology is a collection of papers that presents each individual contributor's expert knowledge of history in the field of psychology. One paper examines Wilhelm Wundt's concept of psychology as the propaedeutic science surviving and inspiring a generation or more of psychologists. Another paper discusses the early sources and the basic conceptions of functionalism as used in America. John B. Watson proclaims behaviorism as a new discipline in psychology with defining features, such as an objective, deterministic, scientific, and experimental method that can be used in both human and animal studies. Lieberman (1979), Mackenzie (1977) Miller, Galanter, and Pribram (1960) oppose behaviorism on the grounds that it slights the purpose of psychology, and focuses more on methodology to the detriment of theory. One paper notes that the acceptance or influence that a point of view has is based in some ways on the range and clarity of its connections with experimental and observational reality. This collection can prove useful for psychologists, behavioral scientists, psychiatrists, psycho-analysts, students of psychology, philosophy or general history who are interested in the many viewpoints of psychology.

Table of Contents:
List of Contributors Preface 1 Of History, and the Nature of This Book Introduction Three Phases in the History of Psychology The Shaping of Viewpoints Organizers in Writing History On Philosophy and Biology Plan of the Book References 2 Wilhelm Wundt: Psychology as the Propaedeutic Science Introduction 19 Intellectual Roots The Emergence of Wundt's System Wundt on Research Methods The Structure of Wundtian Theory Cultural Psychology The Decline of Wundtian Psychology References 3 Shaping a Tradition: Experimentalism Begins Introduction 51 Georg Elias Müller, The Experimenter's Experimenter The Leipzig Experimentalists American Variations A View from the Present References 4 Early Sources and Basic Conceptions of Functionalism Introduction Early Philosophical Background of Functionalism Biology for Philosophers Biological Associationism Evolutionary Associationism Evolutionary Thought Beyond Darwin The French Contribution Summary References 5 American Functionalism Introduction Opposition to Evolution, Science, and Psychology American Psychology Before 1890 The Turning Point The Philosophy of Pragmatism and the "New" American Psychology Chicago Functionalism Summary The Vanishing of Functionalism References 6 The Origins of Behaviorism: Antecedents and Proclamation Introduction Elements of Behaviorism, 1850-1912 American Psychology with Nonhuman Subjects, 1898-1912 American Psychology with Human Subjects, 1912 The Behaviorist Manifesto, 1913-1914 Watson: The First Behaviorist Why Watson? Conclusion References 7 The Growth of Behaviorism: Controversy and Diversity Introduction Reactions to Watsonian Behaviorism, 1913-1930 From Theory to Experimentation, 1930-1950 The Maturing of Skinnerian Behaviorism Conclusion References 8 Paradigm Found: A Deconstruction of the History of the Psychoanalytic Movement Introduction The Prehistory of Psychoanalysis The Period of Discovery The Founding of the Psychoanalytic Paradigm Conclusion References 9 Paradigm Lost: Psychoanalysis After Freud Introduction Ego Psychology Object-Relations Theory Hermeneutic Psychoanalysis The Feminist Perspective Conclusion References 10 Notes Toward a History of Cognitive Psychology Apologia and Agenda Contemporary Cognitive Psychology: Form and Formative Years Schematic Cognitive Psychology: Anticipations and Antecedents References 11 Gestalt Psychology: Origins in Germany and Reception in the United States Introduction Gestalt Theory in Germany The Reception of Gestalt Theory in the United States Conclusion References Notes References 12 Biological Contributions to the Development of Psychology Introduction Brain Systems as Organs of Mind Brain, Reflex, and Will Brain and Consciousness Brain and Feelings Brain Models of Mind Counterpoint: A Brainless and Mindless Evolutionary Psychology Coda: Brain as Machinery of Mind References 13 Antagonism and Interaction: The Relations of Philosophy to Psychology Introduction Philosophy Disowns Psychology Philosophical Influences on Psychology: The Case of Behaviorism, 1913-1950 Psychological Influences on Philosophy: The Case of Genetic Epistemology Eighty Years of the Mind-Body Problem After the Second World War: The Fruits of Informed Interaction References 14 Retrospect and Prospect: The Era of Viewpoints, Continued Introduction The Philosophical Context The Biological Context The Theological and Religious Context Perspective on Points of View References Author Index Subject Index