| Abstract: | Published in 1941, the purpose of this book is to present the clinical, experimental, psychological, and psychiatric data of a number of basic problems of behavior. The book was planned not only for reference reading but also for a systematized course, and was elaborated from the author's Mental Hygiene and Education published in 1934. By "problems of behavior" it is perhaps more accurately meant problems of explaining human behavior. The ten chapters cover an array of topics, including emotions; motivation and frustration; personality theories and personality measurement; adjustment mechanisms; attitudes; conflict; delinquent behavior; neuroses; and mental abnormalities. In addition to the specific data, current theories are presented and evaluated. Few detailed case histories have been included because it was believed that they should be presented not as evidence of scientific findings, but rather as practical illustrations. Many mental hygiene problems are presented, but it is the precise purpose of the book to include only valid data and to eliminate generalities and unconfirmed statements regarding the factors affecting the course of human behavior. There is a prevailing belief that clinical and experimental evidence cannot be combined in the study of behavior, and it was the purpose of this book to emphasize, on the contrary, that such a combination is not only possible but also represents the best method. The psychologist and psychiatrist have not been closely associated professionally, in spite of the fact that whatever different methodologies they employ they are intimately associated in terms of their final objectives, that is, the study and prediction of human behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2005 APA, all rights reserved). |
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