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@uab.cat before 21st of
March 2013.
More information about the conference: www.eshhs.eu