Book Description

Volume Two of The History of Psychology through Symbols continues a groundbreaking approach of using symbols to deepen the understanding of psychological history as well as the importance of how one lives, an emphasis on engagement with symbols and with specific exercises, called emancipatory opportunities, to apply the lessons of psychological history to daily life. From the birth of modern psychology in the laboratory of Wilhelm Wundt, Volume Two discusses how the early theories of voluntarism, structuralism, evolution, and pragmatism influenced the modern development of psychology. The importance of making unconscious shadow forces in science conscious is explored through the impact of the eugenic movement, the controversies surrounding the development of psychological testing, and current research biases in psychology. Volume Two describes how clinical psychology emerged as a powerful profession in mental health care. The Four Forces of Psychology are explored through their natural and hermeneutic science influences. Psychoanalytic and Jungian analytical psychology comprise the first force, behaviorism the second force, humanistic-existential the third force, and transpersonal psychology the fourth force that includes a groundbreaking discussion of psychedelic history and research that could revolutionize mental health and drug and alcohol treatment. Rejecting that science transcends historical events, this volume provides a political, socioeconomic, and cultural context for modern psychology and all Four Forces of Psychology. This book is ideal for those seeking a dynamic and engaging way of learning about or teaching the history of psychology and would also be of interest to students, practitioners, and scholars of science, philosophy, history and systems, religious studies, art, and mental health and drug and alcohol treatment, as well as those interested in applying the lessons of history to daily life.