Review: An Introduction to the History of Psychology

Author: B.R. Hergenhahn

This 754-page book took me almost a year to get through (it seems almost criminal to give it such a small review).  It started as an interesting and engaging book that encompassed the Origins of Philosophy, similar to a number of ‘all you need to know about philosophy’ books I have read since I have started taking a deep interest in philosophy.  I again got stepped through Socrates, Aristotle etc, but the further I read the issues of psychology became more distinct from those of philosophy.

I have gained an understanding of where a lot of the concepts within psychotherapeutic parlance come from (punishment does not work – Skinner; unconditional positive regard – Rogers etc).  I have new areas of intellectual interest to follow (Rollo May).  I have gained an answer to the question of “Is psychology a science? No: it is a preparadigmatic discipline;  No: its subject matter is too subjective to be investigated” “but it could and should be a science; yes and no, some psychology is scientific, and some are not”. (p – 655).

I am still trying to figure out who I am as a clinician (intellectually somewhere in the middle, a jack of all trades, but master of none).  Reading an entire textbook has provided me with some ideas and direction.  I like psychology and find the subject matter interesting (although I do not have a degree in it unlike some people I know).  I have the requisite “high tolerance for ambiguity” p 663 for those who find psychology exciting.  All in all, I would say Hergenhahn has succeeded in giving me an Introduction to the History of Psychology.