Control - A History of Behavioral Psychology

Behaviorism was the dominant force in the creation of modern American psychology However, the unquestioned and unquestioning nature of this dominance has obfuscated the complexity of behaviorism.Control serves as an antidote to this historical myopia, providing the most comprehensive history of behaviorism yet written. Mills successfully balances the investigation of individual theorists and their contributions with analysis of the structures of assumption which underlie all behaviorist psychology, and with behaviorism's role as both creator and creature of larger American intellectual patterns, practices, and values.Furthermore, Mills provides a cogent critique of behaviorists' narrow attitudes toward human motivation, exploring how their positivism cripples their ability to account for the unobservable, inner factors that control behavior. Control's blend of history and criticism advances our understanding not only of behaviorism, but also of the development of social science and positivism in twentieth-century America.

About the author

John A. Mills

Summary

A detailed history of behaviourism in American psychology. The author sets out to balance the investigation of individual theorists and their contributions with analysis of the structures of assumption which underlie behavourist psychology.

Product details

• Authors: Dr. John A. Mills, John A Mills, John A. Mills
• Publisher: New York University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.08.2000
• EAN: 9780814756126
• ISBN: 978-0-8147-5612-6
• No. of pages: 246
• Dimensions: 151 mm x 226 mm x 17 mm
• Weight: 367 g
• Series: Qualitative Studies in Psychology; Qualitative Studies in Psychol; Qualitative Studies in Psychol; Qualitative Studies in Psychology
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Psychology > Theoretical psychology; Non-fiction book > Psychology, esoterics, spirituality, anthroposophy > Psychology: general, reference works; Social sciences, law, business > Sociology > General, dictionaries