Psychology for Ministers and Social Workers
ay ii. ountnp, B.JJ. With foreword by H. Crichton-Miller, F.R.C.P. Independent Press Ltd. 8s. 6d.
It is difficult to do justice to this book in a short space. Its very existence calls attention to subjects on which medical opinion is still sharply divided, that is the amount that ministers and social workers should leave and apply psychology in their everyday work. Mr. Guntrip devotes the first part of his book (” Practical “) to an admirably clear exposition of the simple psychological principles underlying pastoral and social work, and his equally lucid account of superficial mental difficulties and their treatment should go far to persuade the medical profession that there is much help they can receive from ” laymen ” in this way. This part of the book will indeed be a most useful guide to all dealing with ” mental first aid
The second part (“Theoretical”) may appeal to a rather different audience. Through its various sections on personality?its integration, personal relationship and conscience?run the threads of the author’s conviction that psychiatry and religion are in fact seeking the same aim, the fuller integration of all aspects of the personality ; he condemns as false the ancient and dualistic concept of a higher spiritual self warring against the flesh and perhaps his most remarkable passage is his analysis of St. Paul’s own personal problems and their influence on his statement of this concept. Mr. Guntrip shows in fact that many differences between pastor and Psychiatrist are due to each’s imperfect understanding of the other, and his book sets out to remedy this. Finally the frank complaint that psychology occupies itself in too wide a field is met by a firm answer. An excellent work which will provide something fresh each time it is read. R.F.T.
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