General, Psychology
- Type:
Book Reviews
- Author:
Walter S. Hunter
Cambridge University Press, 1919. Price 12/-. The structure of this book is an interesting variant on familiar text-books of psychology. After a brief introductory chapter on the subject-matter and methods of the science, the student is plunged at once into the technical field of animal psychology. The author admits in his preface that this chapter is ” the least well rounded and comprehensive “; and this is true. It is so because many of the integral topics, as, e.g., instinct and habit, are postponed to later sections, where their more general treatment is possible. This is an inevitable outcome of the chosen structure of the (book, and is clearly one of the disadvantages of reversing the more usual order of treatment, and failing to introduce the student to the general concepts of the science before dealing with specialised questions. The same difficulty and dissatisfaction arises throughout the first part of the book, which discusses individual and applied psychology, abnormal, social and racial psychology in turn. Yet we agree that there is much to be said for taking the student immediately to the concrete practical issues of these special aspects, which are indeed the main growing points of psychology to-dayNormal human adult psychology has undoubtedly been overstressed in elementary studies in the past.
There is much in the book that is controversial from the standpoint of general theory, but as a whole it shows the sensible and’ balanced attitude which one requires from a text-book. The author’s way of dealing with, for example, the issue between the behaviourist and the introspectionist is a simple one, that of claiming that the subject matter of psychology is divisible ” into two significant classes: the facts of consciousness and the facts of behaviour.” One feels that the writer is at least a behaviourist, but he is too scrupulous to deny validity to facts which will not yet fit into his cherished system. Other Gordian knots are cut for the beginner by concise definitions which avoid controversy* e.g., ” By behaviour is meant the musculo and glandular activity of an organism”; 9 tropism is ” any inherited form of response i*1 animals devoid of a nervous system “; ” a*1 instinct is an inherited co-ordination of reflexes.”
The second part of the book deals with general human psychology, and is admirably consistent in its treatment. Biological back’ ground and experimental method are assumed throughout, and the fruitfulness of these tvf? inspirations is clearly shown. The author rightly insists moreover on the inter-relation of the various fields of psychology. The general psychologist is now everywhere laying under toll the specialised coiitrilt> ^ abnormal, social and individuals no less essential that the worker oUtlook these departments should broad en 1 hy a familiarity with the main tren s sections and of normal psychology as ^ Professor Hunter’s book will stanc extremely useful general accoun ma-n specialised workers. This is in a . Point of interest and merit for su mental inefficiency. The chapters of pa interest to these, on individual anc Psychology, are too abbreviated to yie c thing of fact or principle to knowledgable workers in this field. Yet we recominen. strongly to readers of this journal as an a able survey of the present situation Psychology. _ T Susie S. Briereey.
The; Nervous Child, by Hector Charles Cameron, M.A., M.D. Hodder and ?Stoughton. Price 6 / -.
This book is written by a man who loves children and who has studied not on y sick, but also the healthy child. An intima knowledge of both is necessary for a u appreciation of the book which should be reac by all who have the care of children an ov their work. It gives most helpful suggestions as to how to deal with both normal c 1 rer and those of a nervous temperament.
It is impossible in a short notice to do more than give a very brief outline of the ^ 0r^’ Six chapters are devoted to giving advice on the management of children in general and the remaining eight on that of exceptional children. Aocording to Dr Cameron, the key to successful management is a healthy en vironment, and to secure this self-discipline and training is essential. If those who have the care of children are calm and cheerfu the children will tend to be the same. Healthy natural impulses must not be checked. ” The hasty slap is nothing else than the motor discharge provoked by the irritability of the educator . . and the chi c Who is a good observer on such points discerns the truth and measures the frailty of his judge.”
Dr Cameron points out how large a part general negativism plays in those very difficult cases where there is constant refusal of food and how over anxiety merely increases this symptom. ” The one way to banish negativism is to cease to oppose, and to practice this aloofness not so much at meals, but in all our conduct to him.” The chapter also on want of appetite is helpful. A suggestive example is given of a child who vomited regular at the mere sight of the cloth being laid, but never when in the care of a particular nurse, whose management of him was particularly restful.
“Many suggestions for dealing with particular difficulties are given, but the main argument of this most interesting book is that a healthy and rest-giving environment is essential if the ” Nervous Child ” is to be cured. This book will be a real help and enjoyment to those who feel that a doctor’s visit should result in something more than bottles of medicine.
If we can judge from the reputed condition of French children born in 1870, the rising generation of small children is likely to have a large proportion of nervous children among them; this makes Dr Cameron’s study all the more important at the present time. All those concerned with the care of (children should not only read the book, but have it in their possession.
Richards, M.B. (Cant.)’
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