A philosopher’s conception of Piaget: Piagetian theory reconsidered.

Reviews the book, Beyond Piaget: A philosophical psychology by J. C. Brief (1983). In Jean Piaget's long and prolific career he assumed many roles. In expounding a theory of cognitive development he raised philosophic questions by insisting on the importance of psychological states for explaining matters of epistemology. In accounting for the psychological nature of thought he stressed the influence of biological functions. And, when discussing the relationship between biology and psychology, he argued for the preeminence of logic and objective truth, and restricted himself to scientific methods. This interdisciplinary endeavor resulted in a body of literature that is rich but also ambiguous. This book is an attempt to approach Piaget's theory on its own terms. The task of the book begins with the observation that Piaget's theory has consequences beyond his psychology. For Brief, a complete understanding of Piaget requires consideration of his views about the relationship between biological functions and psychological structures as well as his epistemological orientation. Brief aims to reconsider many of Piaget's claims and, specifically, to explicate Piaget's notions of action, object and intention; and he maintains that when Piaget's theory is explicated it ultimately has important implications for epistemology. Brief's own book is not for a novice; it is at times dense and difficult to read, and he assumes a great familiarity with Piaget's writings and with a number of philosophical distinctions. Further, Brief shifts from readings of Piaget, to criticisms, to statements of his own position—making it difficult to discern the thrust of his argument and giving the text a somewhat unorganized appearance. Throughout the text there is a need for a clear overview and concise summary statements. But these flaws should not dissuade the serious reader concerned with issues in philosophical psychology and Piagetian theory. Brief's insights present a challenging perspective on epistemological problems and the psychology of thought and understanding. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On sustainable growth in the future of psychology.

Argues that W. Thorngate (see record 1991-03036-001), in an analysis of the overproduction of psychological literature, accepts the scientific dogma that rational science is the only road to human progress. Rather, the scientific approach must be placed in the broader perspective of other modes of knowledge (e.g., philosophical argument, artistic expression, ordinary experience). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distinguished Scientific Contribution Awards: 1969: Citation for Jean Piaget.

Gives a citation to Jean Piaget "for his revolutionary perspective on the nature of human knowledge and biological intelligence. Starting as a biologist interested in the history of scientific thinking, he has approached heretofore exclusive philosophical questions in a resolutely empirical fashion and created epistemology as a science, separate from philosophy, but interrelated with all human sciences. Almost as a by-product of this his chief work he has amassed during half a century ingenious observations and controlled data on human thinking which represent a unique and lasting monument in the psychological literature. Having been known and honored all over the world since his early writings, he becomes the first European to receive the APA Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award. Our organization thereby recognizes the seminal influence which this Swiss scientist exerts on all scholars concerned with human knowing and its development." The citation is followed by a biography of Piaget and a list of his scientific publications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of Coherence in thought and action.

Reviews the book, Coherence in thought and action by Paul Thagard (see record 2001-16098-000). This volume is a comprehensive presentation of the latest work of Paul Thagard and his research group on coherence theory, an area of inquiry to which the author has made ground-breaking contributions for over a decade. Coherence theory is a peculiar synthesis of philosophy and cognitive science that approaches problems in terms of the satisfaction of multiple constraints within networks of highly interconnected elements. The main aim of the present work is to extend the reach of coherence theory beyond its usual applications in cognition and epistemology to questions of ontology, ethics, politics, emotion, social consensus, and probabilistic reasoning. Thagard makes a persuasive if not wholly convincing argument that all of these domains can be thought about in roughly similar ways. Despite the complexity of the issues it treats, this is not at all a difficult book to read. Thagard has the knack for explaining difficult ideas in readily understandable language. However, his frequent crossing of disciplinary boundaries makes it a challenging task at times to evaluate his theory. Is it primarily a theory of human cognition, of philosophical epistemology, or is it mainly intended as a new procedure for addressing philosophical questions? It is perhaps all of these at once. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Space perception and William James's metaphysical presuppositions.

William James's overtly philosophical work may be more continuous with his psychological work than is sometimes thought. His Essays in Radical Empiricism can be understood as an explicit statement of the absolute presupposition that formed the basis of Jamesian psychology: that direct experience is primary and has to be taken at face value. An examination of James's theory of space perception suggests that, even in his early work, he presupposed the primacy of direct experience, and that later changes in his account of space perception can be understood as making his view more consistent with this presupposition. In his earlier view of space perception, James argued that sensations were directly experienced as spatial, though he accepted that spatial relations between sensations may be constructed by higher order thought. In his later view, however, James argued that spatial relations were just as directly experienced as sensations. The work of T. H. Green may have prompted James to recognize the full consequence of his ideas and to realize that taking experience at face value required that spatial relations be thought of as intrinsic to experience rather than the result of intellectual construction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Unifying psychology: A scientific or non-scientific theory task?

Comments on the review by Stephen Yanchar (see record 2009-04719-001) of the current author's book, "Behavior and Personality: Psychological Behaviorism." The past fifteen years has seen an accelerating growth of interest in psychology's fragmentation and the importance of unification, in a manner that did not exist before. Stephen Yanchar is one of the contemporary leaders in the unification movement, with a focus on philosophy, to which he has been contributing important works. Yanchar's philosophy (which he considers to be theory), fundamental understanding of what psychology is and should be, conception of unifying psychology and, as we will see, his agenda for the field of theoretical and philosophical psychology, are quite different from those of my philosophy of unified positivism and theory of psychological behaviorism (PB). Thus, although this has not been made clear, Yanchar's review is based on a philosophical position that really does not accept psychology as a science. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Free Will Versus Determinism.

Comments on an article by Rolland Waters (see record 1959-07228-001). The commentator states that this article has motivated him to make an observation about another situation which some persons perceive as a dilemma in psychology. He refers to the paradox of free will versus determinism in human behavior. The commentator states that the fact that some persons are still disturbed by the free will-determinism paradox is evidence that philosophical thinking in psychology is still somewhat confused. This would not be the case if psychological thinking was completely operational as most psychologists claim it should be. The bewilderment when faced with this apparent paradox is simply a function of language and not of human behavior. The commentator states that what we are doing is to employ two modes of thought or frames of reference simultaneously where this cannot be done. Lastly, the commentator admits that he may be incorrect in assuming that psychologists in general are not aware of this philosophical interpretation. However, the fact that the free will determinism paradox is still cited in many current works reinforces his belief. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

One big idea, one ultimate concern: Sigmund Koch's critique of psychology and hope for the future.

Sigmund Koch, best known for his critical analyses of psychological theory and practice, drew his pivotal insight and abiding concern from his conviction that the failure to sustain and advance human-centered inquiry and understanding (as opposed to rule-governed methodology and conclusions) is the root pathology of modern life. Inspired by the work of selected colleagues, creative artists, and disciplined connoisseurs of language (and, hence, of human sensibility), Koch held out hope for a return to human agency, both inside and outside the domains of psychological study and application. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Harry Levinson.

Recognizes Harry Levinson for his contributions to knowledge in professional practice, which derive from his unique skill in taking psychological theory and knowledge and showing how it applies to the everyday functioning of organizations. He embarked on a lifetime career of helping people to better understand the functioning of people in organizations and to use that understanding to help themselves and their organizations function both more effectively and more humanely. A citation is presented for Levinson, along with a biography and selected bibliography of his works. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Popper's fundamental misdiagnosis of the scientific defects of Freudian psychoanalysis and of their bearing on the theory of demarcation.

The first impetus for my philosophical appraisal of Freudian psychoanalytic theory came from K. R. Popper's (1962) report that its edifice had played a pivotal role in his elevation of the empirical falsifiability of a hypothesis by potentially contrary evidence to be the linchpin of its scientific entertainability. Indeed, for Popper, psychoanalysis avowedly served as the centerpiece for the purported superiority of his own falsifiability criterion of demarcation between science and non(pseudo)science to the received inductivist standard for empirical theory validation. Popper fallaciously inferred the nonfalsifiability of Freudian and Adlerian psychology from his own declared inability to imagine logically possible contrary instances of human behavior. Moreover, he tried to buttress this thesis of irrefutability by the incorrect complaint that these 2 psychological theories were always inductively confirmed come what may. However, as I showed amply (A. Grünbaum, 1984, p. 280): "It is precisely Freud's theory that furnishes poignant evidence that Popper has caricatured the [Baconian] inductivist tradition by his thesis of easy inductive confirmability of nearly every theory.' Alas, Popper's treatment of psychoanalysis as the avowed anvil of his theory of scientific rationality will turn out to be an intellectual fiasco throughout. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Hebbian perspective on mind-brain relations.

Reviews the book, Essay on Mind by D.O. Hebb (1980). This is the third book by Canada's most distinguished and influential psychologist, Donald Olding Hebb. Essay on Mind presents readers with an opportunity to see why Hebb and his writings have had such an impact: In this book, Hebb presents a succinct account of the development of cell-assembly theory and its applications, as well as views on important philosophical and scientific issues. Hebb argues that his type of theory is not "mere translation" because the physiological theory and data impose constraints on psychological concepts. Moreover, such theorizing can be useful in that it leads to new evidence or tells a theorist how to look at available evidence from different aspects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Review of The psychology of human possibility and constraint.

Reviews the book, The psychology of human possibility and constraint by Jack Martin and Jeff Sugarman (see record 1999-02336-000). The way to read this little book is to share in the authors' concern for understanding individuals and for vindicating psychology as a discipline concerned with the psychological development of individuals. Apart from its unsettling philosophical overexcitability, there is a notable distortion in the authors' efforts to understand individual transcendence, namely, a near total failure to deal with values, moral growth, and individual freedom. Human development is understood procedurally, in historical context of course, but as culminating in a "theory" of self and others. This lingering rationalist bias is in part due to their philosophical borrowings, but it also betrays the functionalist stance so characteristic of our contemporary focus on usefulness. For all that, this is an engaging book, one I recommend for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Transformation in narrative thought during adolescence: The structure and content of story compositions.

Narrative understanding has been identified as a primary mode of human thought that informs us about the nature, causes, and consequences of human actions and interactions and, as such, underlies social knowledge. The development of narrative thought was investigated by analyzing the structural complexity and social-psychological understanding displayed in the story compositions of 151 adolescents aged 10 to 18 years. A clear developmental progression was observed in structural complexity in terms of plot structure and the construction of flashbacks. Also observed was a clear developmental trend in social-psychological content from an intentional understanding of human behavior in terms of immediate feelings, thoughts, and goals to an interpretive understanding in terms of personal history, long-standing psychological traits, and broader contextual factors. Gender differences were also noted, with girls outperforming boys on some measures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The social constructionist movement in modern psychology.

Discusses the social constructionist movement in modern psychology, noting that social constructionism views discourse about the world not as a reflection or map of the world but as an artifact of communal interchange. Both as an orientation to knowledge and to the character of psychological constructs, constructionism presents a significant challenge to conventional understanding. Although the roots of constructionist thought may be traced to long-standing debates between empiricist and rationalist schools of thought, constructionism moves beyond the dualism of these traditions and places knowledge within the process of social interchange. Although the role of psychological explanation is problematic, a fully developed constructionism could furnish a means for understanding the process of science and invites the development of alternative criteria for the evaluation of psychological inquiry. (100 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

To be moral, must psychology have a moral face?

Comments on an article (see record 1992-34951-001) by Richard N. Williams which takes a look at the issue of human agency which has been confused with the question of determinism vs indeterminism. The author takes the position that to argue for agency is not necessarily to argue for indeterminism. The current author suggests that Williams has been persuaded from his philosophical reading that a moral-ethical understanding of behavior requires an intelligible notion of freedom. The current author feels that much more can be said about the senses of a deconstructed agency, its utility, and its respect for diversity engendered by psychological moral restraint, but not in these few pages. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An unconscious irony in Plato's Republic

This study of some psychological themes in a classical philosophical work, Plato's Republic, is an exercise in applied psychoanalysis that attempts to formulate an integrated psychoanalytic and philosophical understanding of certain ideas to be found in that work. It contains an interpretative study of a legend introduced by Plato at a crucial point in the development of the philosophical argument of the Republic. It is hypothesized that his use of this legend can be traced to an unconscious conflict in Plato, which when identified and interpreted can broaden our understanding and appreciation of the humanity of this work.     

Theoretical and philosophical issues in psychoanalysis.

Discusses the question of whether philosophical issues have a significant place in contemporary psychoanalytic thought. Topics covered include how the psychoanalytic theoretic enterprise is best viewed, how the person is viewed as an actor in his own life story, and the nature-nurture controversy. The author believes that current psychoanalytic thought reflects the philosophical concerns of mankind through the ages. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distinguished Scientific Contribution Awards: 1969: Citation for Stanley Schachter.

Gives a citation to Stanley Schachter "For consistent, coherent, and creative work that has materially advanced our understanding of behavior in social contexts. He has chosen to explore new areas and new problems that promised to be important and applied exceptional experimental ingenuity in making his explorations successful. Bringing to bear on his problems a fine sense of the necessary relation between theory and data, his studies always produced meaningful knowledge. By exploring his ideas in natural setting:; as well as in the laboratory, he kept richness and precision together in his work. The measure of a man's contribution to science is what we have learned as a result of his work. From the work of Stanley Schachter we have gained new knowledge of the social psychological effects of being deviant in a group; of the circumstances under which people seek out others and the basic: nature of group support; of how groups provide the context within which emotions are defined; and even the effects of the social context on psychophysiological effects. He has contributed broadly and deeply." The citation is followed by a biography of Schachter and a list of his scientific publications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)