Elementary Psychology (Psychology A)
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Abstract
Psychology A is a course in the scientific study of human nature and intelligence. It aims to preserve such breadth and rigor of treatment as fits a course for an academic degree and still to meet the peculiar wants of the prospective teacher. The latter end is attained by the selection of topics and by the use of illustrations from school life whenever possible. Semi-metaphysical questions, such as the nature of the self, the nature of knowledge, or the supra-phenomenal relation of mind and body, are entirely eliminated. Any detailed study of the physiology of the sense organs, of the relation of stimulus to sensation, or of the minute analysis of mental states into hypothetical elements, is dispensed with. Emphasis is laid upon the description of mental phenomena, an understanding of their neural basis, .and especially upon mental life in function, upon mental states in action. James' Briefer Course is used as a text-book, but a week is given at the beginning of the course to an introduction of the students to the general field of psychology by a simpler book, The Human Nature Club, and some topics in the course involve required readings in James' Principles of Psychology. The study of the texts is supplemented by class discussions and some addi tional topics are presented by the instructor.