An Argument for Mind

Harvard developmental psychologist Jerome Kagan mixes his autobiographical memoirs with a history of the last 50 years of psychology. He has been in the middle of the nature/nurture debate since the behaviorists faded out, specializing in the temperament of the newborn. Kagan was and still is involved in what has been a very public controversy with attachment theorists. He has contributed significantly to the realization that genetic influences cannot be denied, but can be significantly altered by environment. He had significant controversy with Judith Rich Harris in the late 90's as a result of her popular book, "The Nurture Assumption." Despite their publicized clashes in written and video format, they both emphasized genetic influence and criticized attachment theory - but Harris minimized (and still does) the importance of family, replacing it with peer group influences. Kagan continues to defend the influence of the family in forming adult personality. He is not much for evolutionary psychology and its reliance on game theory, natural selection, and sexual selection - as they relate to theory of personality. Nor does he believe EP is helpful in explaining our seemingly innate attraction to religion - despite recent books relating EP to religion by Atran, Boyer, and Dennett. He believes people are motivated more by personal moral standards, and is disappointed by what he interprets as our recent cultural and moral decline. He further suggests that society can't expect much help from science in ethical matters. To Kagan, the brain and the mind are not equivalent and he provides stunning evidence for the difference between physical states and psychological states. He believes that the opposing camps studying the mind/brain will eventually split psychology into two factions - the reductionist, neurobiological faction and the other more sociocultural. The best part of this very personal book is his research on infant temperament as it relates to adult personality. Written with penetrating clarity for the layman, "An Argument For Mind" is a valuable resource for anyone interested in developmental psychology and neuroscience.

Found his book 'Handbook of Child Psychology' rich with fascinating information. Chapter on Human Morality asks then answers some fantastic questions. This book is even more rewarding! Dr. Kagan has written, spoke on and taught many topics in psychology, and in this book he reviews some perspectives or approaches in the field, as well as some predictions and recommendations for the future. Well worth reading for the new psychology student or current practitioner.