Pavlov and the demise of the influence of Gestalt psychology in the Soviet Union

Summary The demise of the influence of the classical Gestalt psychology in the Soviet Union has been linked to I.P. Pavlov's negative stance toward Gestalt tenets. Actually, Pavlov's attitude toward Gestalt psychology was by no means uniform. Pavlov was receptive to, as well as critical of a number of substantive issues. He acknowledged the Gestalt interpretation of transposition, but criticized the Gestalt rejection of association and learning by trial and error. Pavlov's strongest objection to Gestalt psychology centered on the philosophical issues of causality, methodology, and on the problem of mind and body. Despite these objections, no direct evidence links Pavlov's criticism of Gestalt theses to the weakening of their influence on Soviet psychology. Instead, the demise of classical Gestalt psychology in the Soviet Union should be attributed to political exigency. Soviet authorities, in a period of political crises, were intent upon the elimination of all traces of bourgeois psychologies.     

Conflicts and missed signals in psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and Gestalt psychology

At the turn of the 20th century, European psychologists found themselves in conflict situations with respect to the role that private mental states should play in a scientific psychology. Out of this conflict arose 3 of the best-known schools of the 20th century: psychoanalysis, behaviorism, and Gestalt psychology. Each of these schools is discussed with respect to two characteristics. First, the authors discuss the attitude of each school on the meaning of the word unconscious as it was understood around 1900. Second, the authors discuss the influence of each school on the reception accorded to books written around 1900 espousing viewpoints that did not cohere with the school's beliefs. Such books may be considered "missed signals" in the history of psychology. "Hits" associated with each school are also highlighted.     

Some late nineteenth century perspectives on sex and emotional expression

A review of nineteenth century popular literature indicates a deep and sustained public interest in sex differences in emotional expression. The conclusions advanced by popular writers included a catalog of perceived sex differences, reinforced by an essentialist philosophy that provided justification for the separation of sexual spheres and restrictions on political, educational, and vocational opportunities for women. Current scientific research on sex differences appears in popular media and is often presented in the context of an essentialist philosophy comparable with that which was dominant in the nineteenth century. Unfortunately, the subtleties and complexities of sex differences are not always communicated to the public and there is thus a potential for misinterpretation or even misuse.     

Instruction in developmental psychology and its influence on self-concept

This study was designed to explore the influence of a unit of instruction in developmental psychology upon the self-concept and academic achievement of 13-year-old adolescents. Participants were 82 junior high school students in British Columbia. Forty-three students received ten 45-minute instructional sessions dealing with the principles of adolescent development; 39 students served as a control group. It was concluded that the unit of instruction did not significantly improve self-concept. The short duration of treatment was identified as the most probable factor in the failure to achieve change. A positive relationship was established between the achievement scores on the knowledge test of developmental psychology and self-concept.     

Evaluating dynamic performance: the influence of salient Gestalt characteristics on performance ratings

It is well recognized that performance changes over time. However, the effect of these changes on overall assessments of performance is largely unknown. In a laboratory experiment, we examined the influence of salient Gestalt characteristics of a dynamic performance profile on supervisory ratings. We manipulated performance trend (flat, linear-improving, linear-deteriorating, U-shaped, and inverted U-shaped), performance variation (small, large), and performance mean (negative, zero, positive) within subjects and display format (graphic, tabular) between subjects. Participants received and evaluated information about the weekly performance of different employees over a simulated 26-week period. Results showed strong main effects on performance ratings of both performance mean and performance trend, as well as interactions with display format. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed.     

Between hope and despair: Conceptions of time and the German-Jewish experience in the nineteenth century

Despite German Jews' social, political, and cultural integration into the German society in the nineteenth century, distinct notions of time continued to shape their social discourses. This article analyzes the various ways in which German Jews comprehended the relation between past, present, and future. Throughout this period, German Jews formulated in the face of political, cultural, and religious changes,their own visions of the present and future. To characterize German Jews' notions of time as simply linear neglects the complex and dynamic aspects of their temporal notions. An investigation of the changing interrelation of past, present, and future provides an avenue for a more nuanced understanding of German Jews' experiences and expectations, as well as of their various responses to modernity. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The influence of Kantor's interbehavioral psychology on behavior analysis

The contributions of J. R. Kantor and his system of interbehavioral psychology to the field of behavior analysis are examined. Two sources of information served to organize this investigation: (1) the historical record as described in the literature and (2) the results of a questionnaire survey sent to past and present editorial board members of the Journal for the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, and Behaviorism. The outcome of this investigation showed that Kantor has had a broader influence than might heretofore have been recognized. More importantly, contemporary behavior analytic research and theory are evolving in directions either influenced by, or consonant with, his approach. We conclude that Kantor's interbehavioral psychology and his writings offer an important and valuable source of ideas and concepts for the future of behavior analysis.