[koglist] Fw: Call for submissions for a session (ESHHS-Wurzburg, July 2013)

CALL FOR PAPERS FOR A SYMPOSIUM/SESSION TO BE HELD AT THE 32nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY FOR THE HISTORY OF THE HUMAN SCIENCES (University of Würzburg, Germany, July 30-August 2, 2013) THE BEHAVIORIST MANIFESTO (1913): THE FIRST REACTIONS OUTSIDE THE USA ORGANIZED BY CSABA PLÉH & ANNETTE MÜLBERGER Exactly a hundred years ago, John Broadus Watson published his article "Psychology as the Behaviorist views it". Its first paragraph is one of the most cited texts, marking the beginning of the behaviorist era in the United States. It entails radical statements aimed at a fundamental break with introspection as method and consciousness as object of research. Influenced by North American functionalism, Watson tried to lead psychology away from philosophy and the German experimental tradition, towards a project of a science of behavior, understood as conditioned reflex. Historical research has shown to what extend a generalized dissatisfaction with contemporary psychological research prepared the terrain and how Watson's social status helped him to gain acceptance for his proposal among his fellow psychologists. What is still missing is an assessment of the historical development of his broader influence and the critical reactions voiced from abroad. When did the news about the new behaviorist wave in psychology reach other psychological communities outside the United States? What were the early reactions, and what arguments for and against behaviorism did they contain? How was behaviorism appropriated in other local contexts? The years after the publication of the manifesto are crucial, because after the World War I Germany would lose its scientific hegemony gradually, while the USA gained relevance. It is highly probable that Germany's political defeat paved the way for an increased influence of behaviorism, viewed at that time as a "typical North American" kind of psychology. For paper proposals please send a 500-600 word abstract plus short bibliography to: annette.mulberger(a)uab.cat before 21st of March 2013. More information about the conference: www.eshhs.eu -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "ESHHS" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to eshhs+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to eshhs(a)googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/eshhs?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.