An internet resource developed by
Christopher D. Green
York University, Toronto, Ontario
ISSN 1492-3713
(Return to Institutions Collection index)
[Anonymous] (1893)
First published in Science, 21 (No. 520), 34-35.
Posted
August 2001
One
of the most significant meetings that occurred during the Christmas holidays
was that of the American Psychological Association in Philadelphia on Dec 27
and 28. This was the first regular meeting of this body, a temporary organization
having been effected in June last. The coming together of psychologists is
significant not alone of the rapid strides which this science has recently been
making, but particularly of the unity of method and subject matter which the
introduction of scientific modes of observation into this controverted
field has made possible. This association of psychologists is composed almost
exclusively of specialists who are studying the nature of mental processes by
the help of ingeniously devised apparatus, are propounding new problems and
adopting new methods to their solution, and, in brief, are proceeding with that
painstaking vigor and caution characteristic of all
phases of modern science. For these reasons an account of their proceedings
necessarily becomes somewhat technical but this moderate element of
technicality is itself a welcome relief from that over-popularization and
almost sensational publicity in which a line of activity too often confused
with psychology has indulged.
The
meeting was called to order by the president of the association, President G. Stanley
Hall, of Clark University, and the reading of papers began with a paper by
Professor Catell[sic]. of Columbia College, on "Errors of Observation in Physics
and in Psychology." Professor Catell[sic] criticised
that line of psychophysical observation in which the liability to degree of
error was taken as a standard of the sensibility for differences. He considered
that the entire subject needed re-investigation, with a complete separation of
these two points. He also regarded that recent experiments of his own and
Professor Fullerton tended to show that the errors of observation do not fall
under the law as usually stated (Weber's law) but approximate the law which the distribution of errors demanded.
A
very interesting problem was presented by Dr. Witmer,
of the University of Pennsylvania, in an account of a research upon the æsthetics of visual form. Dr. Witmer
attempted to determine, by a large number of experiments, such questions as What are the most pleasing forms? What proportions of the division
of a line, and what proportions of the relations of the height to the breadth
of a rectangle are the most pleasing? and the like.
The results of these preferences were interpreted by reference to the general
outline of the field of vision. of which the figures
form a part. He showed conclusively that the former views of the conditions of
such æsthetic judgments were inadequate, and that
this neglected factor of the position of the figure with reference to the edges
of the field of vision was a most important one. The experiments will be
continued and give promise of contributing some measure of system and order to
a field usually regarded as determined by caprice.
President Hall presented a brief outline of the history and prospects of experimental psychology in America, tracing the beginnings of this study from the first laboratory founded at Johns Hopkins University some eight years ago, up to the present time, when there are as many or more psychological laboratories established in this country than in all Europe. The rapid dissemination of interest in psychological studies and the material provisions for its future development were ably presented, and various measures of credit judiciously assigned. The publication of such a review of the purposes, methods and results of the new psychology, as President Hall outlined, should certainly contribute much towards a more general understanding of what psychology and psychologists are doing and -- equally important -- not doing.
Professor
Jastrow, of the University of Wisconsin, gave an account
of the exhibit of experimental psychology, which is to he
matte at the World's Fair. Here, for the first time, the attempt will be made
to gather together various types of apparatus which are used in psychological
research, to maintain in running order a working laboratory, in which simple
tests of the senses, powers of judgment, the times of mental processes, the
peculiarities of association, the limits of memory, of fatigue, and the like,
may be made and recorded; and to exhibit in some measure the results of
statistical and other forms of research. Considerable expenditure, the
cooperation of colleges, of individual psychologists and of makers of apparatus
have been secured for the successful completion of
this large task. It is hoped that this somewhat comprehensive exhibit of the
method and aims of this new science may aid in disseminating a truer and more appreciative
view of the theoretical and practical value of this line of research than has
yet been accomplished
Professor
Münsterberg, of Harvard University, upon the request
of the president, addressed the association. speaking
of the problems that were engaging his attention at his laboratory at Cambridge. No less than fifteen subjects
of investigation are here in progress, and the nature of some of these
Professor Münsterberg described in a very interesting
manner. The impetus to work in this direction, which his acceptance of the
chair at Harvard has given, has already made itself evident, and, before the
year is over, many important results will undoubtedly he issued from his laboratory.
The subjects under investigation covered a wide range, from the determination
of the methods of localizing sounds in space, and a new method of determining
when differences of sensation may be regarded as equal, to complicated experiments
upon the nature of association, of changes in mental condition, of complex
forms of reaction, and the like.
Dr.
Sanford reported some of the minor studies which are in part completed and in
part in progress at the laboratory of Clark University. One of these studies
gave an account of the fluctuations in mental power at different portions of
the day, as determined by the capacity to remember a series of arbitrary impressions. Another dealt with the frequency and
character dreams of subject who every night at once recorded their dreams upon
awakening from them. The great frequency of dreams, the fact that they are
concentrated in the early hours of the morning, that they are so largely based
upon actual experiences, and that recent events contribute much to their content,--
these and other points clearly appeared in the analysis which this material
furnished.
Professor
Bryan, of the University of Indiana, presented two papers, in one of which be
gave an account of experiments establishing the effect of the intensity of the
stimulus upon the reaction time; and, in the other, described some tests which
had been made in schools of Springfield, Mass. These tests show the development
of motor power in children at different ages, and brought out many unexpected
and significant relations.
Papers
were also read by Dr. Nichols, of Harvard College, presenting some novel
experiments upon illusion of rotation and upon the sense of pain; by Professor
Pace of the Catholic University of Washington, describing some observations upon
the power of judging the thickness of surfaces held between the thumb and
forefinger; by Dr. Witmer, describing the results of
a few simple reaction times, taken upon a great variety of unpractised
subjects; other papers of a somewhat philosophical nature were presented by Dr.
Chamberlain, on the "Relation of Psychology [p. 35] to Anthropology,"
and Dr Aikens on an "Analysis of Cause."
The meeting adjourned to meet next December, at Columbia, N.Y. The officers of the association are: G Stanley Hall, president; Professor Ladd of Yale University, vice-president; and Professor Jastrow of the University of Wisconsin, secretary.