Symbolic technique in psychological theory.

Miller, Joan G.

doi:10.1037/h0060441

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 4 publications

(7 reference statements)

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“…Thus, both the calculus of classes and three-valued logic are generalized in probability logic, and neither offers apparent advantages as techniques for approximations over the calculus of propositions or the calculus of functions. Some examples of two-valued systems applied in psychology are the works of Hull et al (5), Miller (7), and Fitch and Barry (4). Woodger applies them in biology (11), and Reichenbach (8), in the area of quantum mechanics, makes the first application of threevalued logic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formalization of psychological theory.

McGuigan¹

1953

Psychological Review

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Formalization of psychological theory.

McGuigan¹

1953

Psychological Review

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“…As the night the day, so must symbolic logic follow in the train of semantics. In this era of signs it is not surprising, then, that biologists and psychologists (45,82,118) make excursions into the realm of symbolic logic. For the most part, symbolic logic is not differentiated from semantics, since the plea is made that symbolic logic helps in developing and manipulating precise terminology.…”

Section: Symbolic Logicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Current trends in psychological theory.

Kantor¹

1941

Psychological Bulletin

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“…Also, I would urge that there are other fine aims, some of which might have to be sacrificed by a too strenuous attempt to attain this one. The first of these warnings is directed not merely toward the real possibility of ambiguities in non-linguistic symbols in • For a summary statement especially of the values of postulational techniques in psychology, see (32).…”

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“…"Neither Hull (20), in asserting that consciousness has no logical priority or ultimacy, nor Miller (32), in denying that Hull has shown this, are aware that there is does not agree with general scientific usage. Furthermore, as symbolic logicians are well aware, for any given proposition there are an indefinitely large number of sets of primitive elements from which it can be derived.…”

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“…31 Also witness Pratt's astounding attempt (34) to unite 'critical positivism,' which claims that concepts (such as 'physiological trace') are mere words whose meaning is reducible to direct observations (' protocols') and that all explanation is circular, with the doctrine that all significant psychological explanation is physiological,-in terms of what goes on inside our bodies. 32 It is a well-known psychological fact that attempts at complete denial of basic human urges produce subconscious satisfactions of those urges. So it seems to be with the psychologist's urge to explain.…”

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Some dangers in the use of symbolic logic in psychology.

Hall¹

1942

Psychological Review

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Judging by current literature, 2 theoretical psychology in America has become pretty thoroughly convinced of the value of symbolic logic. As a philosopher I cannot conceal my pleasure over this recognition of the importance to psychology of one of the disciplines which by tradition is included in philosophy. My own conviction is that we are suffering today from too great a separation of the specialized research of the sciences and the more general, synthetic inquiry of philosophy, and that any sincere attempt to bring understanding and cooperation between these two interests is to be wholeheartedly encouraged. So if I point out what seem to me to be certain dangers in the current trend in psychology, it is not because I wish to disparage it, but rather because I fear that, if it grows too rapidly, its roots will be too shallow, and it will die almost as quickly as it has grown, to be replaced, perhaps, by an even greater suspicion of everything philosophical than that which it had to overcome. The dangers I shall indicate may be said to be all 'psychological,' but surely no psychologist would add 'merely' to this characterization (though I fear some logical positivists might). For, they are real dangers for which psychology, as a human enterprise, must be on the alert. They are, however, dangers, not insuperable obstacles.The recognition and appraisal of these dangers in the use of symbolic logic in current psychology (or, as I shall call it, the 'logicizing of psychology') may perhaps be best introduced by 1 Developed from a talk given to the Psychology Seminar at Stanford University on May 26, 1941, and read before the Philosophical Club of Stanford University on August 2, 1941. 1 See, e.g., bibliographies in (44, 26).

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Symbolic technique in psychological theory.

Cited by 5 publications

References 4 publications

Formalization of psychological theory.

Formalization of psychological theory.

Current trends in psychological theory.

Some dangers in the use of symbolic logic in psychology.

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