Concerning the anthropocentrism of psychology

• Published in: Psychological review Vol. 40; no. 2; pp. 209 - 212
• Main Author: Yerkes, R. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, etc Psychological Review Company 01-03-1933; American Psychological Association, etc; American Psychological Association
• Subjects: Biology; History of Psychology; Human; Introspection; Psychology
• ISSN: 0033-295X; 1939-1471
• DOI: 10.1037/h0072301

Psychology started with the anthropocentric viewpoint, but current interest is rapidly turning from introspective psychology to biology. This raises the practical question whether psychology as historically conceived should be perpetuated or should give way to a psychobiology. The author believes that a division should be made into psychology proper, a systematic study of the self and its relations to other selves, through introspection; and psychobiology, the objective study of the behavior of organisms, conscious or unconscious, and their relations to their environment. A faith in the future of psychology as science is expressed.