Uses and Abuses of Psychology

Hans Eysenck was one of the most important and influential psychologists of the 20th century, being at the time of his retirement the most-cited social scientist in the World. He was especially known for his view that of psychology should be subject to the same criteria as any other science (e.g. it should produce falsifiable predictions); and for his refusal to subordinate scientific truth to political considerations. In the course of his career he produced several pioneering books demystifying psychology for the general public: in particular a seminal trilogy (later expanded to a quartet) for Penguin, He was an exceptionally lucid and entertaining writer, and the books sold millions of copies and were translated into several other languages. The quartet comprises: Uses and Abuses of Psychology (1953) Sense and Nonsense in Psychology (1957) Fact and Fiction in Psychology (1965) Psychology is about People (1977) "Uses and Abuses" lays the foundations for the later works. Like the others, its emphasis is on what we know and how we know it; how certain scientifically we can be of the answers; and how society can best make use of them. In an introductory account of some ways in which psychology has already changed society -- especially as regards selection tests -- the author describes his intent: "Citizens in a democratic society need to be told in clear, unambiguous language just what is the present position in a scientific field (...) Without such knowledge, there arises a dangerous gap between scientist and citizen, a gap which prevents the one from making the best use of the contribution the other has to offer, and which encourages the misunderstandings which have bedevilled their relations for so long. Yet unfortunately psychologists, for various reasons, have usually fought shy of writing for anyone but other psychologists (...) "It is in the hope of redressing this balance to some extent that I have written this book. The title will indicate the thread which runs through all the various chapters. They all deal with the application of psychological discoveries to social problems". The introduction also describes the differences between psychologists, psychiatrists and psychoanalysts. There is, too, a crie de coeur... "The physicist is in a rather favourable position. Few people imagine themselves to be experts in his field, or to know more about it than he does. In addition, the great prestige of his science makes people accept his statements without apparent proof. How different is the position of the psychologist! There are few people who in their heart of hearts do not resent his assumption of superior knowledge of human behaviour, who do not feel that they know far more about 'people' (...)" ...and some embittered comments (with anecdotes) about the treatment of psychology by politicians and the mass media. The book proper is divided into four parts, of four chapters each: 1. Intelligence Testing 2. Vocational Psych

This is Eysenck's first book for the common reader. It is an old classic but still useful for the first year psychology student. The book describes the pits into which psychology can and has fallen, and the remedies that can be applied. A strong dependence on statistics and the experimental method is emphasized as essential to good psychology. The book is divided into four sections: Intelligence Testing, Vocational Psychology, Abnormal Behaviour, and, Social Attitudes. Can an intelligence test administered to an eight year old predict adult performance? Is interviewing a good way of selecting the best applicant for a job? Is there such a thing as 'normal' behaviour? Can surveys such as the Gallup poll be of assistance to psychologists? Eysenck answers these and other questions admirably. One classic study is worth mentioning in more detail. Statisticians found that both psychoanalysis and electro-convulsive-therapy cured about one third of neurotic patients. These figures suggest moderate success for both treatments. An examination of patients who received no treatment at all, however, revealed a spontaneous recovery rate of about one third. So would you consider a series of ECT advisable? Interestingly that treatment is still used in some hospitals today. Eysenck's study of Anti-Semitism and the Fascist mind remains very relevant. This is particularly so in the light of the new Christian and Islamic fundamentalisms in the West and the East. A book not to be missed by anyone interested in psychology.

Hans Eysenck was one of the most important and influential psychologists of the 20th century, being at the time of his retirement the most-cited social scientist in the World. He was especially known for his view that psychology should be subject to the same criteria as any other science (e.g. it should produce falsifiable predictions); and for his refusal to subordinate scientific truth to political considerations. In the course of his career he produced several pioneering books demystifying psychology for the general public: in particular a seminal trilogy (later expanded to a quartet) for Penguin. He was an exceptionally lucid and entertaining writer, and the books sold millions of copies and were translated into several other languages. The quartet comprises: Uses and Abuses of Psychology (1953) Sense and Nonsense in Psychology (1957) Fact and Fiction in Psychology (1965) Psychology is about People (1977) "Uses and Abuses" lays the foundations for the later works. Like the others, its emphasis is on what we know and how we know it; how certain scientifically we can be of the answers; and how society can best make use of them. In an introductory account of some ways in which psychology has already changed society -- especially as regards selection tests -- the author describes his intent: "Citizens in a democratic society need to be told in clear, unambiguous language just what is the present position in a scientific field (...) Without such knowledge, there arises a dangerous gap between scientist and citizen, a gap which prevents the one from making the best use of the contribution the other has to offer, and which encourages the misunderstandings which have bedevilled their relations for so long. Yet unfortunately psychologists, for various reasons, have usually fought shy of writing for anyone but other psychologists (...) "It is in the hope of redressing this balance to some extent that I have written this book. The title will indicate the thread which runs through all the various chapters. They all deal with the application of psychological discoveries to social problems". The introduction also describes the differences between psychologists, psychiatrists and psychoanalysts. There is, too, a crie de coeur... "The physicist is in a rather favourable position. Few people imagine themselves to be experts in his field, or to know more about it than he does. In addition, the great prestige of his science makes people accept his statements without apparent proof. How different is the position of the psychologist! There are few people who in their heart of hearts do not resent his assumption of superior knowledge of human behaviour, who do not feel that they know far more about 'people' (...)" and some embittered comments (with anecdotes) about the grasp of psychology generally evinced by politicians and the mass media. The book proper is divided into four parts, of four chapters each: 1. Intelligence Testing 2. Vocation