Page:Philosophical Review Volume 7.djvu/455

441 more original work than a Primer in physics; the psychologist is less a spokesman for his guild, and must bear more individual responsibility for his general attitude and his special expositions. Professor Titchener's Primer passes with eminent success the most rigid tests which the critic can properly apply. It is a most valuable addition to the group of Primers which contemporaneous psychologists have prepared; and, without exciting the odium of comparison, it is only fair to express the judgment that for general efficiency, interest, fitness, and maintained ability it is second to no volume of like scope and purpose.

It is unnecessary to dwell upon the general plan and execution of the volume; for those who are professionally interested are certain to examine the work for themselves. The titles of chapters present no very marked deviation from those of other general psychologies; the main types of mental processes are described and explained in about the usual order. The distinctive characteristics of the expositions are their forcible, logical insistence upon significant distinctions; their timely utilization of, but not domination by, experimental evidence; their constant appeal to everyday experience and literary illustrations; their reflection of modern interest; their happy combination of theoretical and practical factors. The questions and exercises appended to each chapter are well devised to stimulate the student and help him to realize the intense actuality of the world of mind.

The volume seems open in parts (what book, and especially what psychology, is not?) to the charge of overstraining favorite distinctions (for instance the conspicuousness, perhaps even obtrusiveness of introspection); to the charge of introducing too much controversial matter (e.g., Wundt's position on the relation between sensation and affection); and to the charge, particularly in the later chapters, of talking over the readers' heads or above their experience. The chapter on abnormal psychology is not as successful as many other chapters; but the excellent account of comparative psychology (although a little too mature for a Primer) more than makes up for it.

The relation between the Primer and the Outline of Psychology which preceded it, is obvious and is clearly set forth in the preface. Both of the volumes furnish abundant evidence of the ability of the author as a writer of text-books.

The author hopes that this work may "prove useful to the Oxford student in his studies, perhaps even to the lecturer in his lectures, since the desire to be popular has not led the writer to shirk any difficulties. But its aim is to appeal beyond a merely academic audience to the wider circle