The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1906-03-15
Thoughts on Psychology.
A Thesis written by Prof. j. W. Long.


A Thesis written by Prof J. w. Long
The study of psychology, the science
of mind or soul, which leads US to
study that which appears either to
the senses or consciousness, affords no
end of research and investigation.
1t is divided into several kinds,
more or less distinct from one an
other in their character and mode of
treatment. These divisions are phys
biological, empirical, the old and the
new; the most interesting of these
being the new psychology, which en-
ploys method new in the history of
psychology, although it is not new in
the history of science. The psycholo-
gist of the new dispensation must see
every statement proven by expert
ment and measurement before he will
commit himself in regard to it. Every
alleged fact, every statement must be
brought as evidence before the court
of reason. The new psychology deals
with the same phenomenon, the same
facts as the old, but deals with them
in different way and from a differ
ent starting point. 1t is rather a
difference in method than matter for
the two psychologists are, after all,
only one.
The real relations between them
are easy to comprehend. The new
methods are the natural and the nee.
essary compliments of the old. They
have appeared by evolution and not
by revolution. Everything in them
which experience proves to be usefu1
will be accepted and adopted cheer
fully by all students and teachers Of
psychology. The old psychology starts
from the standpoint of self-observa
tion. That is, it begins with con
seriousness and it's deliverance. The
new methods supply consciousness
with assorted material upon which tt
exercise its activity.
The mind is defined as the Ego, the
81" myself; that which knows, feel.
and wills. We assume at the outset
that there is a soul, that it is imma
terial, that though intimately associ
ated with matter it is distinct from
matter. Such assumption appear
reasonable.
We cannot escape the conviction
that where action is manifested Their
must be something to act. Wher
movement is discovered there mus
be something to move and some fore
to cause the movement. 1t seem
equally reasonable to believe tina
when knowing, feeling and volitiol
manifest themselves, there must b.
something to know, feel and will.
psychology without soul would b
much like science or physics withou
matter. OF the substance of the sou
we have no knowledge. DR.. Davi
says '"The mind is commonly though
of as substance" Matter is extend
ed substance. Mind is conscious sub
stance. Matter manifests extension
solidity, etc. Mind manifests know
ing, feeling and willing. Mind i
called the inner world as distinguished
from the outer world. Knowing, feel
ing and willing are functions of tn
mind and not the mind itself.
Psychology might be defined as tn
science which treats of the states O
consciousness, which includes all form
of mental activity and all condition
of feeling. Consciousness may be dc
fined as the mind knowing itself an
its own states and activities. 70
: convenience of study psychology ma
be divided into subjective and obje(
tive. AS subjective it is a study c
self, by looking into the operations c
our own minds. AS objective it is
, study of persons and things outside {
ourselves, outside of consciousness!
This is observation and may also b
experimentation. 1t includes tn
study Of children, of adults, Of peopl
of all classes and conditions, and ais
at sometimes and for some purposes
of animals. So, we study ourselve
by introspection. We thus know tina
we, ourselves, think, feel and vii
that we see, hear, taste and smell
This is the mind looking, so to speal
into itself and observing it's own a,
tivities. In this interpretive stud
of self, we soon discover that tn
state and activities of our own minc
are closely associated with states, col
ditions and movements of the bod
especially of what we call the nervor
system. We discover under what col
ditions, both of mind and body, VI
have feelings both of pain and plea
3 ure, of JOY and sorrow, of good wi
} and i'll will, of pity and indignation
and of the marvellous variety of otht
ii feelings. In the objective study
Is Is children or of adults we must begi
= with careful examination of tt