> I am trying to compile a list of the historical and contemporary >definitions of Psychology. >What comes to mind are the following: >Science of mind >Science of mental life >Scientific study of mind >Scientific study of behavior >Scientific study of behavior and mental processes >Study of mental magic >Are there others? > >Michael Sylvester >Daytona Beach,Florida >From the copy of William James' _Psychology: Briefer Course_ (1908) that was my grandfather's intro psych text as a University of Wisconsin (class of '12) student, p. 1: "The definition of Psychology may be best given in the words of Professor Ladd, as the 'description and explanation of states of consciousness as such'. By states of consciousness are meant such things a sensations, desires, emotions, cognitions, reasonings, decisions, volitions, and the like. Their 'explanation' must of course include the study of their causes, conditions, and immediate consequences, so far as these can be ascertained." And the next sentence, at the beginning of the next paragraph: "Psychology is to be treated as a natural science in this book." (Of possible interest to Jeff Ricker, given his recent query.) Except for the "natural science" part, this isn't the definition that I currently use! Bob ======================================================================= Robert T. Herdegen III Department of Psychology Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943 =======================================================================
