Pioneers of Psychology
Exhaustive Summary of all chapters
• Fifth Edition
• Paperback
• Raymond E. Fancher (Author, York University),
• Alexandra Rutherford (Author, York University)
• November 2016
• ISBN: 978-0-393-28354-9
• 768 pages
Table of Contents
• Introduction: Studying the History of Psychology
• Chapter 1 – Foundational Ideas from Antiquity
• Chapter 2 – Pioneering Philosophers of Mind: Descartes, Locke, and Leibniz
• Chapter 3 – Physiologists of Mind: Brain Scientists from Gall to PenLield
• Chapter 4 – The Sensing and Perceiving Mind: From Kant through the Gestalt
Psychologists
• Chapter 5 – Wundt and the Establishment of Experimental Psychology
• Chapter 6 – The Evolving Mind: Darwin and His Psychological Legacy
• Chapter 7 – Measuring the Mind: Galton and Individual Differences
• Chapter 8 – American Pioneers: James, Hall, Calkins, and Thorndike
• Chapter 9 – Psychology as the Science of Behavior: Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner
• Chapter 10 – Social InLluence and Social Psychology: From Mesmer to Milgram and
Beyond
• Chapter 11 – Mind in ConLlict: Freudian Psychoanalysis and Its Successors
• Chapter 12 -– Psychology Gets "Personality": Allport, Maslow, and the Broadening
Field
• Chapter 13 – The Developing Mind: Binet, Piaget, and the Study of Intelligence
• Chapter 14 – Minds, Machines, and Cognitive Psychology
• Chapter 15 – Applying Psychology: From the Witness Stand to the Workplace
• Chapter 16 – The Art and Science of Clinical Psychology
, Introduction: Studying the History of Psychology
Writing about history
Historiography is the official term for the concept of writing about history, but it is
difficult to determine when 'the history of psychology' exactly begun. Psychology, as a
field of study, did not become an independent department within universities until the
mid-nineteenth century, yet it was not uncommon for man to give thought to the
mind and behaviour. General psychological and philosophical theories already arose in
ancient times and these ancient theories can also be relevant for modern psychology
still.
Over the last century, psychology has become one of the largest scientific studies
there is. Within its stream, many sub-disciplines have arisen, some of which are
related to each other. Every one of these branches has its own history, but it is sadly
impossible to fully treat all of these different histories in a book.
Structure of the book
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), Francis Galton (1822-1911) and B.F. Skinner
(1904-1990) have not only each left behind their well-known, published works, but
also a lot of unpublished data. These unpublished works included background stories
and information about their private lives that influenced their scientific work. This
interaction between biographical and theoretical factors led to a greater appreciation
and understanding of the abstract work and thinking they performed.
This is why this book contains a more personalistic way of writing. The goal is to give
an accurate representation or important psychological ideas, which get more meaning
when viewed in the context of the scientists' lives. In result, it will become clear how
modern ideas have come about. The theories that we know now of as incorrect can
become more understandable when seen in the view point of the researcher and it
will be made clear how these theories have led to progress.
The Pioneers
The pioneers in this book had to fulfil three criteria to be considered a pioneer. Firstly,
they must have been important for the development or psychological
thinking. Secondly, because the ideas in this book are presented in the context of the
life of the researcher, biographical information must also be available. In addition, the
pioneers needed to have contributed to the broad field of psychology in a meaningful
way.
For instance, Plato, known for his nativist conception of the brain, and Aristotle,
known for his empirical view and observations, are not addressed in this book due to
a severe lack of biographical information. Therefore, our starting point will be René
Descartes, at the beginning of the sixteenth century.
Exhaustive Summary of all chapters
• Fifth Edition
• Paperback
• Raymond E. Fancher (Author, York University),
• Alexandra Rutherford (Author, York University)
• November 2016
• ISBN: 978-0-393-28354-9
• 768 pages
Table of Contents
• Introduction: Studying the History of Psychology
• Chapter 1 – Foundational Ideas from Antiquity
• Chapter 2 – Pioneering Philosophers of Mind: Descartes, Locke, and Leibniz
• Chapter 3 – Physiologists of Mind: Brain Scientists from Gall to PenLield
• Chapter 4 – The Sensing and Perceiving Mind: From Kant through the Gestalt
Psychologists
• Chapter 5 – Wundt and the Establishment of Experimental Psychology
• Chapter 6 – The Evolving Mind: Darwin and His Psychological Legacy
• Chapter 7 – Measuring the Mind: Galton and Individual Differences
• Chapter 8 – American Pioneers: James, Hall, Calkins, and Thorndike
• Chapter 9 – Psychology as the Science of Behavior: Pavlov, Watson, and Skinner
• Chapter 10 – Social InLluence and Social Psychology: From Mesmer to Milgram and
Beyond
• Chapter 11 – Mind in ConLlict: Freudian Psychoanalysis and Its Successors
• Chapter 12 -– Psychology Gets "Personality": Allport, Maslow, and the Broadening
Field
• Chapter 13 – The Developing Mind: Binet, Piaget, and the Study of Intelligence
• Chapter 14 – Minds, Machines, and Cognitive Psychology
• Chapter 15 – Applying Psychology: From the Witness Stand to the Workplace
• Chapter 16 – The Art and Science of Clinical Psychology
, Introduction: Studying the History of Psychology
Writing about history
Historiography is the official term for the concept of writing about history, but it is
difficult to determine when 'the history of psychology' exactly begun. Psychology, as a
field of study, did not become an independent department within universities until the
mid-nineteenth century, yet it was not uncommon for man to give thought to the
mind and behaviour. General psychological and philosophical theories already arose in
ancient times and these ancient theories can also be relevant for modern psychology
still.
Over the last century, psychology has become one of the largest scientific studies
there is. Within its stream, many sub-disciplines have arisen, some of which are
related to each other. Every one of these branches has its own history, but it is sadly
impossible to fully treat all of these different histories in a book.
Structure of the book
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), Francis Galton (1822-1911) and B.F. Skinner
(1904-1990) have not only each left behind their well-known, published works, but
also a lot of unpublished data. These unpublished works included background stories
and information about their private lives that influenced their scientific work. This
interaction between biographical and theoretical factors led to a greater appreciation
and understanding of the abstract work and thinking they performed.
This is why this book contains a more personalistic way of writing. The goal is to give
an accurate representation or important psychological ideas, which get more meaning
when viewed in the context of the scientists' lives. In result, it will become clear how
modern ideas have come about. The theories that we know now of as incorrect can
become more understandable when seen in the view point of the researcher and it
will be made clear how these theories have led to progress.
The Pioneers
The pioneers in this book had to fulfil three criteria to be considered a pioneer. Firstly,
they must have been important for the development or psychological
thinking. Secondly, because the ideas in this book are presented in the context of the
life of the researcher, biographical information must also be available. In addition, the
pioneers needed to have contributed to the broad field of psychology in a meaningful
way.
For instance, Plato, known for his nativist conception of the brain, and Aristotle,
known for his empirical view and observations, are not addressed in this book due to
a severe lack of biographical information. Therefore, our starting point will be René
Descartes, at the beginning of the sixteenth century.
