Title: The scientific evolution of psychology
First published: 1963
Description: V.1 : "The goal I have set myself in this book is to trace the evolution of psychology as a science. I undertake a critical examination of the way scholars in the psychological tradition described and interpreted the interbehavior of organisms with stimulus objects. When I speak of the psychological tradition I strongly emphasize the fact that the science of psychology has not enjoyed a continuous naturalistic development. As is well known, the evolution of psychology includes periods in which scholars not only limited their studies to human interbehavior and neglected the behavior of other organisms, but, in addition, failed to describe and interpret that interbehavior as natural events. Instead, they thought of it as at least partially extranatural. Such theological and metaphysical periods must, however, be taken strictly into account because they articulate with and influence the naturalistic stages of psychological tradition.

In fact, these scientific dark spots continue to influence the current course of psychological history. Now, I must add that, although our primary interest is in the development of psychology, we cannot overlook the fact that this science has originated and evolved as a component star of a scientific constellation. Accordingly, I treat psychology as it grew and changed with the varying circumstances of the scientific culture of Western Europe. Furthermore, since obviously scientific culture itself exists only as a part of general culture or civilization, I also take account of this cultural matrix, which shapes all the sciences and in turn is shaped by them. Throughout this work I have endeavored by generous quotation to allow scholars to speak for themselves. In some instances the translations quoted have been modified, and I hope improved, for the better appreciation of what the original writers had discussed.

The Bibliography indicates readily available translations of sources important for the development of the psychological tradition, as well as a variety of pertinent modern works. Birth and death dates of writers mentioned, insofar as available to me, are indicated in the text and in the Name Index. Any discrepancy between the two may be attributed to the disagreement of authorities"--Preface. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).
Subjects: Psychology, History
LC classification: BF81 .K3