Defining American psychology : the correspondence between Adolf Meyer and Edward Bradford Titchener /

Two series of letters, written in 1909 and in 1918, demonstrate a period of intense intellectual ferment in the human sciences. The lively--and at times sharp--correspondence between Meyer, a leader in American psychiatry, and Titchener, a prominent psychologist, presents their efforts to set the boundaries of psychology as a science and to establish psychology's relationship to other disciplines. In attempting to represent his own definition of psychology as most advantageous for advancing the field, each argues forcefully: Meyer for a utilitarian approach to mental phenomena and disease based on "psychobiology"; Titchener, hoping to see psychology take its place as a fundamental experimental science alongside physics and biology, for a laboratory-based "purism." The 47 finely annotated letters make compelling reading, both for insight into the conceptual issues of the day and for appreciation of two vigorous minds at work. Excellent introductory essays add to the value of the volume. Evans presents a crisp, yet comprehensive, statement of Titchener's scientific and psychological positions. Leys writes an extended biographical "note" on Meyer and a chapter that sets the context for the exchanges. The volume is thoroughly referenced and is enhanced by the archival expertise of the editors and their intimate knowledge of their subjects. Valuable for advanced undergraduate andgraduate students and scholars, this book is also accessible to other interested readers. -E. Scarborough, SUNY College at Fredonia