Title

Psychology's public image in "Topics of the Times": Commentary from the editorial page of the New York Times between 1904 and 1947

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of the History of the Behavioral Sciences

Publication Date

12-1-2002

Abstract

Between 1904 and 1947, the New York Times published in a section of its editorial page, "Topics of the Times," 196 commentaries on psychology. Prior to World War I, the majority of editorials centered on Hugo Münsterberg; psychological topics most frequently examined after the war were the mental test, child rearing advice, and psychoanalysis. Although the Times was enthusiastic in its support for psychology in the years immediately before and after World War I, editorial opinion soon turned negative. Critical of psychology for promising more than it could deliver, being inconsistent in its assertions over time, and not rising above the level of common sense, Times editorials weighed heavily on the side of undermining, rather than promoting, psychology's credibility from the late 1920s to 1940s. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Volume

38

Issue

4

First Page

371

Last Page

392

DOI

10.1002/jhbs.10068

ISSN

00225061

PubMed ID

12404269

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