Everyman's Psychology, written by John Adams and published in 1930, delves into the complexities of human psychology and the various theories and approaches that have shaped the field.
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| Everyman's Psychology |
The book begins by questioning whether we are all psychologists in some way, as we all seek to understand the workings of the mind. Adams explores the concept of consciousness, a troublesome term that has puzzled philosophers and psychologists alike.
The author then discusses the emergence of the "new psychology" and why it is considered as such. He distinguishes between pseudo-science and true science in psychology, highlighting the behaviorist approach and the importance of studying behavior and experience. The Gestalt theory, which focuses on the perception of patterns and configurations, is also examined, along with the relationship between physiology and psychology.
Adams emphasizes the vast diversity of human nature and the significance of social psychology in understanding individual behavior. He delves into the concept of unconsciousness as a basis for many psychological phenomena, shedding light on the hidden aspects of the mind.
The book introduces Occam's Razor as a tool for simplifying complex psychological concepts and warns against the misuse of metaphors in psychological discourse. Adams then delves into the great mystery of subjective and objective experiences, exploring the nature of the ego and its relationship to the external world. He discusses personality, individuality, and character, highlighting the bipolar nature of the ego and the role of introspection in self-understanding.
The author delves into the psychic nether regions, exploring the work of psychoanalysts like Freud and Herbart. He discusses complexes, phobias, and the unconscious mind, shedding light on suppressed desires and the laws governing ideas. Adams examines the inner and outer worlds of human experience, discussing sensations, perceptions, and the influence of environment on the psyche.
Everyman's Psychology offers a comprehensive overview of key psychological theories and concepts, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human mind. Adams' insightful analysis and engaging writing style make this book a valuable resource for anyone interested in psychology and the workings of the human psyche.
From The introduction:
Common honesty demands that a book of this kind should have a descriptive title to warn off people who want a totally different psychology from that presented here; and it has struck me that it would not be a bad way of introducing this volume to talk over in an unceremonious way the various titles that have passed through my mind, and my reasons for finally adopting what you find on the title page.
I have long had the inclination to write on psychology in a less solemn strain than convention seems to demand.
The science itself is interesting enough, and occasionally a genius like William James has the courage to make it interesting in print, though he himself suffered just a trifle in reputation among his less intelligent readers because he was so deplorably clear that even they could see at once what his pages meant.
Time was, and that not so long ago, when psychology held a rather precarious place among the sciences. Perhaps at that time a little elaboration of terminology might be pardoned as a means of self-defense.
Some contents
TEMPERAMENT AND TYPE The Old Humours Classification—Two Kinds of Nervous Temperament—Are Women Sensory or Motor Types?—-Bodily Characteristics and Temperament— Fouillée’s Classification—Other Attempts to Classify Types—lIntroverts and Extroverts—Can Temperament Be Modified?
PAID-UP PSYCHIC CAPITAL A Hint from Kant—Habits as Labour-Saving Devices—Habits and Awareness—Psychic Saving and Spending—The “Growing Point’’—Creative Work and Knowledge—Can We Think Without Words?
MAN THE MACHINE
A Letter from Mark Twain—Arnold Bennett on the
Human Machine—An Objection to Mechanism—Iron Men and Robots—The Selenium Dog
ATTENTION, INTEREST, AND BOREDOM The Element of Purpose—Physical Accompaniments— Nisic and Anisic Attention—Interest—Boredom and Fatigue—The Merciless Bore—Borer and Boree—Some Relief Suggestions
THE PSYCHIC STEERING GEAR 3
U Is the Will?—Various Angles on the Will—Free ul!
SUGGESTION, HOME AND FOREIGN
Laws of Association—Auto-Suggestion and Coué—The Psychology of Selling — Suggestion and Literary Art— The Psychology of Temptation—Suggestion and Education
INTERNAL HARMONY
Four Laws of Thought—Deduction and Induction— Reconciling Our Concepts—Recruiting and Drilling Our Thoughts—The Phrenometer—The Flash—The Goal of Thinking
LOOKING BEFORE AND AFTER
The Workings of Memory—Mnemonic Aids—Former Criticism of the [magination—The Case of Fairy Tales— The Artistic Imagination—Scientific Imagination— Image Explained
