A History of Modern Experimental Psychology

Description

The evolution of cognitive psychology, traced from the beginnings of a rigorous experimental psychology at the end of the nineteenth century to the “cognitive revolution” at the end of the twentieth, and the social and cultural contexts of its theoretical developments.

Modern psychology began with the adoption of experimental methods at the end of the nineteenth century: Wilhelm Wundt established the first formal laboratory in 1879; universities created independent chairs in psychology shortly thereafter; and William James published the landmark work Principles of Psychology in 1890. In A History of Modern Experimental Psychology, George Mandler traces the evolution of modern experimental and theoretical psychology from these beginnings to the “cognitive revolution” of the late twentieth century. Throughout, he emphasizes the social and cultural context, showing how different theoretical developments reflect the characteristics and values of the society in which they occurred. Thus, Gestalt psychology can be seen to mirror the changes in visual and intellectual culture at the turn of the century, behaviorism to embody the parochial and puritanical concerns of early twentieth-century America, and contemporary cognitive psychology as a product of the postwar revolution in information and communication.

After discussing the meaning and history of the concept of mind, Mandler treats the history of the psychology of thought and memory from the late nineteenth century to the end of the twentieth, exploring, among other topics, the discovery of the unconscious, the destruction of psychology in Germany in the 1930s, and the relocation of the field’s “center of gravity” to the United States. He then examines a more neglected part of the history of psychology—the emergence of a new and robust cognitive psychology under the umbrella of cognitive science.

In the end Mandler’s book stands as an outline of the past, not a history. Its value rests with perspective that comes from someone who has been thinking, researching, and writing about topics central to cognitive psychology for over 40 years. He has been a witness to change, someone who has even participated in them, so his insights are valuable and directive.—Canadian Psychology—

Mandler’s history conveys a heightened historical sophistication…. As a participant in the beginnings of cognitive psychology, Mandler offers some unique perspectives…. His text is an informative source for both history and perspective.

—The Journal of General Psychology—

Mandler’s volume is a tour de force…. This is no dry recounting of facts and dates. It goes from the meaning and history of the concept of mind, through the psychology of thought and memory…. Any clinician who takes the time to absorb this volume’s offerings will be amply rewarded.

—The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease—

The book is best in the central chapters on the early Wurzburg school and on the systematic dismantling of what was still one of the world’s great communities of psychological researchers by the Nazis in the 1930’s…. An interesting read that brings controversial historical ideas forward for further discussion and debate.

—Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences—

This is a splendid book by an author who has himself made an outstanding contribution to cognitive psychology…. The book is much more readable than most texts of its kind, moving smoothly between past and present so as to bring out underlying continuities…. In sum, the story of how a central strand of thinking about mind progressed from early speculations to the cutting edge of cognitive science is told in masterly fashion.

—Metapsychology—George Mandler is Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of California, San Diego, and Visiting Professor at University College London. He is the author of Mind and Emotion, Mind and Body: Psychology of Emotion and Stress, Human Nature Explored, Interesting Times: An Encounter with the Twentieth Century, and other books.US

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