Overview:
This text is a review of three papers on psychological laboratories, written by James McKeen Cattell in 1898. He discusses the design and function of laboratories, the cost of setting them up and running them, and the role of experimental psychology in undergraduate education. Cattell critiques the ideas of other researchers, including Titchener, French, and Scripture, and offers his own perspective on these topics.
Main Parts:
- Section 1: Cattell introduces the three papers he will be reviewing: Titchener’s description of the Cornell laboratory, French’s argument against experimental psychology in undergraduate courses, and Scripture’s suggestions for laboratory economy.
- Section 2: Cattell critiques Titchener’s proposed laboratory design, suggesting that smaller rooms would be more efficient for research and instruction.
- Section 3: Cattell disagrees with French’s view that experimental psychology has no place in undergraduate education, arguing that it is an essential method in psychology. He proposes a curriculum including a general psychology course followed by more specialized courses.
- Section 4: Cattell explores the role of laboratory work in undergraduate education, suggesting that demonstrations and class experiments could precede individual laboratory work.
- Section 5: Cattell examines Scripture’s ideas on laboratory economy, agreeing with the importance of cost-effectiveness but emphasizing the need for adequate resources to ensure efficient research.
View on Life: Cattell believes that experimental psychology is a vital part of the scientific study of the mind and should be incorporated into undergraduate education. He emphasizes the importance of efficient and well-equipped laboratories to promote research and learning.
Scenarios: The text focuses on the scenarios of setting up and operating a psychological laboratory and the different approaches to teaching experimental psychology in undergraduate courses.
Challenges: The main challenge discussed is the cost of establishing and maintaining a psychological laboratory, and the balancing act between cost-effectiveness and the need for adequate resources.
Conflict: Cattell’s disagreement with French’s view on the role of experimental psychology in undergraduate education highlights a conflict between different approaches to the teaching of psychology.
Plot: The text does not have a narrative plot in the traditional sense, but it follows a logical progression of ideas. Cattell starts by introducing the topic of psychological laboratories and then delves into the specific issues related to their design, cost, and role in undergraduate education.
Point of View: The text is written from the perspective of an established psychologist who holds strong opinions about the field and its methodology. Cattell’s views are clearly articulated, and he doesn’t shy away from expressing disagreement with other researchers.
How It’s Written: The text is written in a formal academic style with a clear and concise tone. Cattell uses logical arguments and evidence to support his viewpoints. An example of this style is his detailed analysis of Titchener’s laboratory design, pointing out its potential limitations and suggesting alternative approaches.
Tone: The tone of the text is mostly critical, particularly when discussing the ideas of other researchers. Cattell’s writing is also passionate and invested in the advancement of psychological research.
Life Choices: The text doesn’t explicitly discuss life choices, but it touches on the choices faced by those involved in higher education, such as deciding on the design and budget of a laboratory, or choosing how to approach the teaching of experimental psychology.
Lessons: The text highlights the importance of careful planning, resource allocation, and critical thinking in the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
Characters: The main characters are the three researchers whose work Cattell reviews: Titchener, French, and Scripture.
- James McKeen Cattell: A prominent psychologist, known for his contributions to mental testing and the establishment of psychological laboratories.
- Edward Bradford Titchener: A renowned psychologist and proponent of structuralism, known for his influential textbook “A Textbook of Psychology.”
- Frank C. French: A psychology professor who argued against the inclusion of experimental psychology in undergraduate courses.
- E. W. Scripture: A psychologist who specialized in experimental phonetics and contributed to the development of laboratory techniques.
Themes:
- The Importance of Experimental Psychology: The text emphasizes the value of experimental psychology as a method for understanding the mind.
- The Role of Laboratories in Research and Education: Cattell argues that well-equipped and efficiently designed laboratories are crucial for scientific progress and the training of future psychologists.
- The Need for Critical Thinking and Informed Decision-Making: Cattell’s review encourages careful analysis and evaluation of ideas and practices in the field of psychology.
Principles:
- The text implicitly supports the principle of evidence-based decision-making in research and education.
- It also highlights the value of resource allocation and cost-effectiveness in scientific endeavors.
Intentions:
- Cattell’s intention: To promote the advancement of experimental psychology and to advocate for its inclusion in undergraduate education.
- The reader’s intention: To learn about the development of psychological laboratories, the role of experimental psychology in education, and the different perspectives on these issues.
Unique Vocabulary:
- “Psychophysical methods”: A set of experimental techniques used to study the relationship between physical stimuli and psychological perception.
- “Psyche-physical methods”: An alternative spelling of “psychophysical methods” used in the text.
- “Haptics”: The study of touch and tactile perception.
Anecdotes:
- Cattell’s anecdote about the eminent professor of physics who didn’t want to introduce his students to the laboratory until they had completed a course of lectures, illustrates the common practice of delaying laboratory work in other scientific disciplines.
Ideas:
- The text puts forth the idea that experimental psychology is an essential method in the study of the mind.
- It also presents the idea that laboratories are important for both research and education.
Facts and findings:
- The text mentions the Cornell laboratory, highlighting its large resources and potential for serving as an example for other institutions.
- It also notes that the cost of establishing and maintaining a psychological laboratory can be significant.
Statistics:
- Cattell mentions the annual cost of $600 for supporting a laboratory, suggesting that resources are important for its success.
Points of View:
- The text is written from the point of view of a proponent of experimental psychology and the use of laboratories. This point of view shapes the author’s arguments and his critiques of other researchers.
Perspective:
- Cattell’s perspective is informed by his experience as a psychologist, his involvement in establishing psychological laboratories, and his views on the importance of experimental methods in psychology.