Overview:
In this article, Coleman R. Griffith argues that a true history of psychology is missing. He states that current historical accounts are limited to chronological listings of events or focus too heavily on philosophical discussions rather than the evolution of the field as a science. Griffith believes that a proper history of psychology should focus on understanding how the scientific conception of mind has developed, tracing the stages that led to the modern empirical approach.
Main Parts:
- The Problem of History: Griffith starts by outlining two approaches to history: a static, chronological account and a dynamic, interpretative account that traces the development of ideas and movements.
- Defining Psychology: Griffith then explores two different ways of understanding “psychology”: as a general term encompassing all mental phenomena and as a specific scientific discipline focused on the study of mind.
- History as a Diary: He analyzes different scenarios based on these two views of history and psychology, showing how a purely chronological account fails to capture the true depth of the field’s development.
- History as Interpretation: Griffith argues that a meaningful history of psychology needs to take an interpretative approach, analyzing the influences and contributing factors that shaped the field’s evolution.
- The Scientific Conception of Mind: He emphasizes the need for a history that focuses on the development of a scientific understanding of mind, recognizing that this is the central theme that has driven the field’s progress.
- The Empirical Level: He asserts that a substantial history must be written on the empirical level achieved by psychology, moving beyond philosophical discussions and focusing on the products of laboratory research and the development of empirically organized systems.
View on Life:
- Scientific Progress: The article strongly emphasizes the importance of scientific progress in understanding the nature of mind. Griffith sees psychology’s history as a testament to the power of the scientific method to reveal truth about the world, including the inner workings of the human mind.
- Historical Context: Griffith stresses that every scientific achievement is built on the foundations laid by previous generations. He argues that recognizing this historical context is crucial for understanding the current state of the field and its potential future developments.
Scenarios:
- The “Diary” of Psychology: Griffith uses this analogy to illustrate the limitations of a purely chronological account of psychology, arguing that it fails to capture the underlying forces and relationships between ideas and events.
- The Laboratory as a Catalyst: He highlights the transformative role of the laboratory in psychology, explaining how the scientific approach brought about a paradigm shift in the study of the mind.
Challenges:
- Overcoming Philosophical Obstacles: Griffith acknowledges the challenge of moving beyond philosophical discussions and establishing a clear scientific understanding of mind.
- Meeting the Demands of a Growing Science: He notes the rapid growth of psychology and the challenge of keeping up with its demands, underscoring the need for a comprehensive historical framework.
Conflict:
- The Conflict Between Philosophical and Scientific Perspectives: The article demonstrates the ongoing tension between philosophical approaches to psychology and the scientific method. Griffith argues that a proper history of psychology should reconcile these different perspectives.
Plot:
- The Arc of Scientific Progress: The article traces the plot of psychology’s development, highlighting key milestones in the field’s journey towards a scientific understanding of mind.
- The Shift from Philosophy to Empiricism: Griffith narrates the pivotal shift from a philosophical approach to the study of the mind to an empirical one, driven by the rise of laboratory research and the development of scientific methods.
Point of View:
- The Historian’s Perspective: Griffith writes from the perspective of a historian of psychology, arguing that the field needs a comprehensive and nuanced historical account to fully grasp its achievements and future potential.
- The Psychologist’s Perspective: He also highlights the unique advantages of the psychologist’s perspective in understanding the historical development of the field, emphasizing the importance of considering the psychology of the scientists and their contributions.
How It’s Written:
- Academic Tone: The article employs a formal, academic tone, using precise language and detailed arguments to support its claims.
- Example: “The historian of the science of psychology stands in a peculiar relation to his fellow historians. He is dealing with material that is more like mind in its fluent character than any other process.”
Tone:
- Scholarly: The tone is scholarly and objective, aiming to provide a balanced and insightful analysis of the history of psychology.
- Analytical: Griffith presents a critical analysis of existing historical accounts, identifying their limitations and proposing a more comprehensive and meaningful approach.
Life Choices:
- Embracing Scientific Method: The article advocates for a life dedicated to the pursuit of scientific knowledge, emphasizing the importance of using empirical methods to understand the nature of mind.
- Recognizing Historical Context: Griffith suggests that understanding the historical context of our current knowledge is essential for making informed choices about future research directions.
Lessons:
- The Value of Historical Perspective: The article highlights the importance of taking a historical perspective on the scientific field, recognizing the interconnectedness of past, present, and future developments.
- The Power of Scientific Progress: It demonstrates the transformative power of scientific progress, showing how the scientific approach has revolutionized our understanding of the mind.
Characters:
- Coleman R. Griffith: The author of the article, a prominent psychologist of his time, advocating for a more comprehensive understanding of psychology’s history.
- Psychologists of the Past: Griffith mentions various historical figures who contributed to the development of psychology, recognizing their influence on the field.
Themes:
- The Evolution of Scientific Thought: The article explores the theme of scientific progress, tracing the evolution of psychology from philosophical speculation to empirical investigation.
- The Interplay of Ideas and History: It highlights the interconnectedness of ideas and historical context, emphasizing how social, political, and philosophical forces influence scientific development.
- The Importance of Methodology: Griffith underscores the significance of developing and refining research methods in advancing scientific understanding.
Principles:
- Scientific Method: The article emphasizes the scientific method as the foundation for understanding the mind and the driving force behind progress in psychology.
- Cumulative Knowledge: Griffith highlights the principle of cumulative knowledge, arguing that each generation builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessors.
Intentions:
- The Author’s Intention: Griffith seeks to raise awareness of the need for a more comprehensive history of psychology, urging the field to acknowledge its roots and the complex forces that have shaped its development.
- The Reader’s Intention: The article aims to encourage readers to consider the historical context of psychological research and to appreciate the dynamic nature of the field.
Unique Vocabulary:
- “Genetic History”: This term refers to a dynamic and interpretative approach to history, focusing on the development of ideas and movements.
- “Scientific Conception of Mind”: This phrase emphasizes the shift from philosophical speculation to empirical investigation in the study of mind.
Anecdotes:
- The Story of Psychology’s Development: The entire article functions as an anecdote, telling the story of psychology’s evolution, highlighting its key turning points and the challenges it faced.
Ideas:
- The Importance of a Comprehensive History: Griffith proposes that a comprehensive history of psychology is essential for fully understanding the field’s achievements and its potential future direction.
- The Role of Scientific Method: He emphasizes the crucial role of the scientific method in advancing our knowledge of the mind.
Facts and Findings:
- The Limited Scope of Existing Histories: Griffith points out that existing histories of psychology are often limited to chronological accounts or focus too heavily on philosophical discussions.
- The Emergence of Empirical Psychology: He documents the rise of experimental psychology and the establishment of the first psychology laboratory.
Statistics:
- No Specific Statistics: The article does not cite specific statistics related to the development of psychology.
Points of View:
- The First-Person Perspective: Griffith writes from a first-person perspective, presenting his own insights and arguments about the history of psychology.
Perspective:
- Historical Perspective: The article provides a historical perspective on the development of psychology, highlighting the evolution of the field’s core concepts and methodologies.
- Scientific Perspective: It emphasizes a scientific perspective, focusing on the importance of empirical evidence and the application of the scientific method to understanding the mind.