Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-10-16
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
BY H. Addington Bruce


TN his remarkable work, instincts of the Herd
| in Peace and war'-to my mind one of the
most stimulating of the many books grow
ing out of the great war-Dr w. Trotter makes
this statement:
when the twenty years just passed came to
be looked back upon from the distant future, II Is
probable that their chief claim interest will be
that they saw the birth of the science OF abnormal
psychology"
At first thought this may be deemed a singular,
even preposterous, assertion. But consider.
Until abnormal psychology came into being, the
world was staggering along under heavy and
seemingly irremovable burden of vice. crime, in
efficiency, pauperism, insanity, and nervous dis
AS civilization grew more complex, the burden
steadily became heavier, in spite of drastic laws
and earnest humanitarian zeal.
To many it seemed-to many it still seems
absolutely impossible to find a means of relief
from situation threatening civilization itself
with collapse. "
There is nothing that can be DONE was the
despairing cry. Mankind is degenerating. We
can only struggle impotently till the end comes
In opposition to this pessimistic attitude, alb
normal psychology holds out new and glowing
promise.
At the outset of his abors the abnormal psy-
chOlogist said to himself:
''Vice, crime, inefficiency. pauperism, insanity,
and nervous disease obviously represent not mere
ly imperfectiOns in human behavior, but imper-
fections in human thought.
"If the vicious man did not think wrongly, he
would not DehaVe as he does. II the criminal D
mode of thinking were not unSOund he would not
steal and kill
Likewise with the inefficient, the paupers the
insane, and the nervous. Let find out why these
think wrongly and perhaps can help them to
think Alright. At all events we can surely help
others to avoid following in their steps.
Then began, for the first time, scientific study
of individuals who think hence behave, abnormal
ly.
Already many discovery of inestimable i'm
portance to mankind has flowed from this study.
Foremost among these discoveries, beyond any
question, is the bringing to the full light OF sclen-
tifc recognition the basic truth that the great de-
terminng factors in adult behavior are the en-
vironment and training of early childhood.
Mankind is not degenerating," the abnormal
psychologist proclains. But men are not being
trained in the first years of life they ought to be
trained.
'They are not being trained to reason, they
are not being trained in emotional control. Train
them sooner, train them more intensively, give
virOnment and you need have little fear as to their
futures.
ct is in early education that the solution of
the problems of vice. crime, inefficenCy pauperism
insanity and nervous disease is chiefly to- be
found"
Rapidly evidence is accommodating to bear out
this hopeful view.
Later years, l personally persuaded, will
witness it's complete vindcation And with its vim
dcation all will appreciate the soundness of DR..
Trotters prophecy:
when the twenty years just past come to be
looked back upon from the distant future, it is
probable that their chief claim to interest will be
that they cav the birth of the science of abnormal
psychology"
In fine, I believe with DR. Trotter that abnor-
NAL psychology is opening up wonderful era In
the evolution of the human race.