The self in recent psychologyCalkins, M. W.
doi: 10.1037/h0075215pmid: N/A
(A review of literature since 1919.) Among recent writers in general psychology are to be found indirect supporters of the self-psychology, notably Stern, McDougall, and Koffka; and the arguments to be found urged against it are restatements of old difficulties: that "self" adds nothing to the treatment of psychological facts, or that it is a metaphysical concept and is foreign to science. Experimental studies relevant to the problem of self include two (by Wheeler and by Amen) that purport to exhibit no consciousness of self in acts of choosing; but these studies can nevertheless be shown to bear evidence for a self-experience when this is not improperly defined as an elemental experience. On the other hand, the experimental works of Aveling, of Spearman, and of Martin disclose a self-activity or self-assertive tendency as present in choice.
The functional significance of the extra-pyramidal systemsRogers, F. T.
doi: 10.1037/h0070789pmid: N/A
(A review of recent literature.) The extra-pyramidal systems have received by no means the attention given the pyramidal in years past; and the clinical observations and histopathological studies that have been given the former reveal a wealth of extraordinarily complicated and sometimes conflicting findings. The corpus striatum has been studied by different methods. Localized stimulation had led to mainly negative results. Decerebration with and without destruction of striatum performed on birds and mammals has indicated a large part played by the latter in the execution of movements of head and neck involved in feeding. Clinical observations on humans have suggest that it is the seat of disturbances in muscular activity of the type involved in paralysis agitans, parkinsonism, the choreas, and athetosis. But in spastic paralyses and specific contractures, these are attributed to the pyramidal system. "In normal muscular activity a dual system is involved; the cortico-spinal (pyramidal) and the more diffuse, less direct, extra-pyramidal. There is a balanced action and integration of the two in the normal individual. The extra-pyramidal system is the only type of control present in the lower vertebrates; the pyramidal type reaches its greatest size and functional value in the anthropoid apes and man." "Anatomically, the two systems seem to be largely independent of each other as there is little or no direct connection between the corpus striatum and the cortex. Clinically localized disease of the striatal system leads to muscular disability which the patient can not control." "Long continued postural or tonic activity is characteristic of this subcortical motor system, as phasic or short lasting activity characterizes cortical motor control."
Review of 'Experimental Psychology'Fernberger, Samuel W.
doi: 10.1037/h0064467pmid: N/A
Reviews the book, Experimental Psychology by Mary Collins; James Drever . The book is written at the elementary textbook level with an attempt to present the facts and point of view of psychology from the basis of experimental methods and experimental results. The account of the psychophysical measurement methods, as given in the introduction, seems to be particularly weak. In the chapter on Perception, the point of view of Gestalt is likewise honored without critical comment. As one might expect, in the later chapters on Emotion, Thinking and Language, the experimental basis gets thinner and thinner. A chapter on Mental Testing is included, as well as an appendix on the nervous system.
Review of 'Emotion and Insanity'Fernberger, Samuel W.
doi: 10.1037/h0067661pmid: N/A
Reviews the book, Emotion and Insanity by S. Thalbitzer . Thalbitzer postulates that affectivity, intellectual activity, and will are elements in every psychical process and from these elements he offers a schema to cover clinical syndromes generally included under manic depressive psychoses. The reviewer notes that there is little empirical evidence is present in the book and no attempt was made to seek the relationship between these psychical elements. The reviewer concludes that much more work is needed before psychiatrists would be able to use this classification for even a partial description of affective disorders.
Review of 'Common Sense and Its Cultivation'Fernberger, Samuel W.
doi: 10.1037/h0069358pmid: N/A
Reviews the book, Common Sense and Its Cultivation by Hankin Hanbury . This is an interesting and curious book, somewhat after the manner of Galton's "Inquiry Into Human Faculty." It has the same faults and many of the same merits. Common sense or "intuition" is contrasted with the pedestrian logical type of constructive imagination and reasoned judgment. The author goes on to urge that the cultivation of reasoning is antagonistic to the development of common sense. For the author, in any case, the subconscious mind is chiefly an organ of intuitive judgment rather than of affection and conation. To show how it operates, he piles up a variety of examples from the most diverse fields: lightning calculations, musical composition, the verdicts of juries, globe trotting, swindling and confidence tricks, business in general, and prejudicial thinking and rationalization. Yet the book does give one to think. First, how pathetically little psychology has to say about "intuitional judgment" though it is an undoubted fact and of the highest importance. And then perhaps as a correlate, how little we do in our current educational enterprises towards training and developing this exceedingly valuable type of response.
Review of 'Our Minds and Their Bodies'Fernberger, Samuel W.
doi: 10.1037/h0068816pmid: N/A
Reviews the book, Our Minds and Their Bodies by J. Laird . This book presents what in the author's opinion is the dualistic and interactionistic position assumed by the "common sense" of "plain people" upon the body-mind question. In this discussion polite reference is not lacking to the notions of primitive men and to the teachings of the ancient philosophers. The second descriptive chapter considers the evidence of science upon the psychophysical question. The undoubted monistic tendency of much modern psychology and physiology is recognized. Activism; behaviorism; McDougall's theory of instinct; the contributions of Freud, Janet, and Pavlov; Sherrington's conception of the nervous system; and the cortical localization controversy, are all given at least cursory consideration in so far as they bear upon the central thesis of the book.
Review of 'Temperament and Race'Fernberger, Samuel W.
doi: 10.1037/h0064765pmid: N/A
Reviews the book, Temperament and Race by S. D. Porteus; M. E. Babcock . The book begins with a very interesting historical survey of the five chief races in Hawaii to-day, namely, the Hawaiians, the Chinese, the Japanese, the Portuguese, and the Filipinos. A social rating scale is then discussed, a scale based upon previous work of Porteus with mental defectives. There then follows a brief survey of the social adjustments of the several races as indicated by criminal statistics, scholarship, mental retardation and occupation. Another line of attack is now made in the direction of head measurements for the estimation of brain capacity. The authors believe that brain capacity is more significant for social development than for intelligence. Next follows a general discussion of intelligence testing and the army results, somewhat too lengthy for such a book. All these test results are interpreted by the authors, and upon them they build a very interesting picture of racial differences in temperament and intelligence. The book closes with very definite opinions about racial differences, the coming struggle for dominance in the Pacific and the great need for character education in our schools.