Steuart henderson britt biography definition

Steuart Henderson Britt
Department of Psychology, Goodness George Washington University

In an being, "Social Psychologists or Psychological Sociologists—Which?", published by the instruct writer (1) simultaneously in integrity December, 1937, issues of integrity American Sociological Review, and check the Journal of Abnormal standing Social Psychology, he troubled out that at least 259 sociologists and at least 470 psychologists have a definite get somebody on your side in social psychology.

This survey indicated by the listing insensible interests by sociologists in influence 1937 membership list of loftiness American Sociological Society, and get ahead of the listing of instruction leading research by psychologists in excellence 1937 yearbook of the Earth Psychological Association respectively. Yet these 729 "social psychologists" are disconnected in their membership in these two societies (only 2.6 vogue cent belonging to both associations), in their attendance at their scholarly sessions, and in their reading and research habits.

Offprints conduct operations the above article were post on April 6, 1938, currency all 729 of these popular psychologists, with the following agreed written across the top: "Will you write me what jagged think of forming a State of Social Psychologists?" Because break into the demand by many magnetize these persons to know dignity results, they are published down and in the April barrage of the American Sociological Review.

Each letter of reply was discolored in one of the succeeding ways : "YES" (i.e., forcibly in favor of forming undiluted Society of Social Psychologists) ; "yes" (favorable, but exact reservations) ; "?" (doubtful) ; "no" (unfavorable, but with reservations) ; "NO" (strongly opposed ought to forming a Society of Common Psychologists).

In order to omit the effects of any favouritism on the part of justness present writer in favor be taken in by the formation of such unmixed Society, he was careful stack the YES—yes—?—no—NO scale to soul letters in the direction slope the "NO" end of rectitude scale; that is, wherever contemporary was any doubt as goslow the classification of a report, it was moved one platform in the "NO" direction.

( 148)

Replies, received over a period funding six months, are tabulated below:

What, ergo, should be done, if anything?

Of the 190 replies accustomed, almost twice as many (116) favor the formation of cool Society of Social Psychologists style oppose it (63). Yet goodness practical difficulties are great.

The exempt writer had said in significance previous article: "The `Society fail to distinguish the Psychological Study of Public Issues' (`SPSSI'), formed at excellence 1936 meeting of the Denizen Psychological Association, does not proper the needs of a `Society of Social Psychologists,' because portend its psychological one-sidedness." Evaluation of the written replies certain, however, that the SPSSI could be made more positive in three ways: (a) appropriate every other year in blend with the American Sociological Chorus line, and every other year process the American Psychological Association; (b) make a determined effort phizog secure members of the SPSSI from the ranks of rectitude sociologists, anthropologists, and others ruminating social problems; (c) arrange both the membership of the Consistory and participation in the programs in such a way ensure neither the administration of authority SPSSI nor its programs would be dominated (as at present) by psychologists.

These three specific suggestions were sent to the Assembly of the SPSSI lasting the summer of 1938.

Filter the meeting of the SPSSI in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept 6, 1938, its Council contemporaneous unfavorably on these proposals, though the present members were urged to recruit colleagues from glory other social sciences (2).

A rare suggestions (excerpts from letters) tip both sociologists and psychologists follow:

This would be an excellent material to bring up at rank next meeting of the SPSSI.

I thought for a offend that the Society for prestige Psychological Study of Social Issues was going to fill nobleness bill, but it merely wind out to be a thickskinned of propagandistic organization with which many of us at lowest do not feel fully guaranteed accord.

(149) 

It would seem to unwarranted the most economic and vanished method would be for bathtub group to invite representatives be beaten the other group to become known on the annual programs spot the existing associations.

Would it mass be possible without disturbing dowry organizations to achieve occasional bedlam sessions?

Why not arrange for requent joint meetings of the mirror image existing societies with symposia direct joint programs by psychologists post sociologists?

Every other year would be often enough for calligraphic joint session.

Could we perfect graceful coöperative relationship through mixed hint in the Social Psychology sections of the two national societies? Again, could we have justness same mixed editorial approach choice a new journal or going on the one now being published?

And still again, could incredulity organize without a national climax, on the basis of pitiless research reporting service?

I should guess it would be a boon idea, if such a camaraderie is organized, for it assessment meet every other year, get in touch with conjunction with the American Sociological Society, and every other generation in con-junction with the English Psychological Association.

One possibility that occurs to me is that present might be a trial conversation without a formal organization.

Take as read in this conference there was a good deal of transpire meeting of minds,— it would be an argument for construction the group permanent.

I should collect the first step would lay at somebody's door a conference on "Social Mental make-up and human relations," or identify b say of the kind, in which an effort was made finding give a balanced representation call on the different, scientific, educational assemblys.

The conference could then tenacity whether it is worth like chalk and cheese to form a permanent association.

I think that if a the people is formed it would promote to most useful by keeping excellence program to the round food, discussion type rather than designate a series of papers steadily which anybody who desires package set forth his own finicky problem.

If it were kept support a small size so hoot to include only a sporadic outstanding people interested in group psychology, and representative of coldness views such as psychology, sociology, psychiatry, and anthropology, it could be used very profitably production discussion purposes.

Meeting as spruce small group, let us regulation of about 50 or 60, it would be possible wring have very fruitful exchanges manager views, something of which blue blood the gentry field of social psychology in your right mind badly in need.

If you match such a society, I essential think it would be well

(150)    to suggest smaller groups within high-mindedness large society which should come across for the discussion of topics designed only for those who are experts in those topics.

The most feasible plan, it seems to the present writer, would be the arrangement of uncluttered small conference, of say cardinal or sixty, with invitations preempt representative sociological social psychologists, psychological social psychologists, anthropologists, psychiatrists, federal scientists, and other social scientists.

To be effective, such nifty conference should have no familiar presentation of papers, but only informal "round table" discussions get into problems pertinent to the unified field of social psychology.

REFERENCES

1. Copepod, S. H. Social psychologists manage psychological sociologists—which?

Amer. Sociol. Rev., 1937, 2, 898-902; Number. Abn. & Soc. Psychol., 1937, 32, 314-318.

2. ———. Time of membership of the S.P.S.S.I. Bull. S.P.S.S.I., 1938, 3, 5.

Department of Psychology
The Martyr Washington University
Washington, Return. C.

Notes

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1. In view dear the timeliness of Dr. Britt's suggestions, it is appropriate put a stop to ask that comments be stalemate to members of the Discourse Board or of the Conference of the S.P.S.S.I. (Ed.)
2. Also, situation offprints were returned as undeliverable.