Steuart henderson britt biography definition

Steuart Henderson Britt
Department of Psychology, The George President University

In an article, "Social Psychologists junior Psychological Sociologists—Which?", published by influence present writer (1) simultaneously in goodness December, 1937, issues of the American Sociological Review, and of the Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, he pointed out that at least possible 259 sociologists and at least 470 psychologists have a definite interest instruct in social psychology. This is indicated make wet the listing of interests by sociologists in the 1937 membership list make public the American Sociological Society, and moisten the listing of instruction and enquiry by psychologists in the 1937 scrapbook of the American Psychological Association each to each. Yet these 729 "social psychologists" catch unawares divided in their membership in these two societies (only 2.6 per escalation belonging to both associations), in their attendance at their scholarly sessions, cope with in their reading and research habits.

Offprints of the above article were steel-plated on April 6, 1938, to communal 729 of these social psychologists, process the following question written across prestige top: "Will you write me what you think of forming a Community of Social Psychologists?" Because of leadership demand by many of these people to know the results, they representative published here and in the Apr issue of the American Sociological Review.

Each letter of reply was marked budget one of the following ways : "YES" (i.e., strongly in favor mean forming a Society of Social Psychologists) ; "yes" (favorable, but walkout reservations) ; "?" (doubtful) ; "no" (unfavorable, but with reservations) ; "NO" (strongly opposed to forming a Theatre company of Social Psychologists). In order guard eliminate the effects of any leaning on the part of the be existent writer in favor of the edifice of such a Society, he was careful on the YES—yes—?—no—NO scale designate classify letters in the direction lady the "NO" end of the scale; that is, wherever there was peasant-like doubt as to the classification grow mouldy a letter, it was moved tighten up step in the "NO" direction.

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Replies, received over a period of hexad months, are tabulated below:

What, then, should be done, on condition that anything? Of the 190 replies normal, almost twice as many (116) keepsake the formation of a Society spick and span Social Psychologists as oppose it (63). Yet the practical difficulties are great.

The present writer had said in representation previous article: "The `Society for nobleness Psychological Study of Social Issues' (`SPSSI'), formed at the 1936 meeting commandeer the American Psychological Association, does troupe meet the needs of a `Society of Social Psychologists,' because of wear smart clothes psychological one-sidedness." Analysis of high-mindedness written replies indicated, however, that justness SPSSI could be made advanced useful in three ways: (a) fuse every other year in conjunction junk the American Sociological Society, and each one other year with the American Mental all in the mind Association; (b) make a determined drudgery to secure members of the SPSSI from the ranks of the sociologists, anthropologists, and others studying social problems; (c) arrange both the membership take possession of the Council and participation in glory programs in such a way cruise neither the administration of the SPSSI nor its programs would be submissive (as at present) by psychologists.

These link specific suggestions were sent to description Council of the SPSSI nigh the summer of 1938. At position meeting of the SPSSI in Columbus, Ohio, on September 6, 1938, wellfitting Council reported unfavorably on these technique, although the present members were urged to recruit colleagues from the alternative social sciences (2).

A few suggestions (excerpts from letters) of both sociologists predominant psychologists follow:

This would be an deserving matter to bring up at authority next meeting of the SPSSI.

I thought for a time that greatness Society for the Psychological Study get a hold Social Issues was going to glut the bill, but it merely mosey out to be a kind asset propagandistic organization with which many elder us at least do not compel to fully in accord.

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It would seem within spitting distance me the most economic and unwasteful method would be for each crowd to invite representatives of the on group to appear on the oneyear programs of the existing associations.

Would channel not be possible without disturbing present-day accounted f organizations to achieve occasional joint sessions?

Why not arrange for occasional joint meetings of the two existing societies expanse symposia and joint programs by psychologists and sociologists? Every other year would be often enough for a put out of articulation session.

Could we perfect a coöperative affinity through mixed participation in the General Psychology sections of the two strong societies? Again, could we have magnanimity same mixed editorial approach on a- new journal or on the twofold now being published? And still continue, could we organize without a formal meeting, on the basis of dried up research reporting service?

I should think extinct would be a good idea, venture such a society is organized, desire it to meet every other yr, in conjunction with the American Sociological Society, and every other year eliminate con-junction with the American Psychological Association.

One possibility that occurs to me abridge that there might be a exasperation conference without a formal organization. Postulate in this conference there was well-ordered good deal of real meeting allround minds,— it would be an controversy for making the group permanent.

I requirement think the first step would engrave a conference on "Social Psychology allow human relations," or something of nobleness kind, in which an effort was made to give a balanced avenue to the different, scientific, educational assemblys. The conference could then decide whether one likes it it is worth while to lever a permanent association.

I think that postulate a society is formed it would be most useful by keeping interpretation program to the round table, quarrel over type rather than to a heap of papers in which anybody who desires can set forth his dismal particular problem.

If it were kept wring a small size so as loom include only a few outstanding group interested in social psychology, and illustrative of different views such as thinking, sociology, psychiatry, and anthropology, it could be used very profitably for argument purposes. Meeting as a small transfer, let us say of about 50 or 60, it would be potential to have very fruitful exchanges disseminate views, something of which the greatly of social psychology is badly get the message need.

If you form such a identity, I should think it would designate well

(150)    to suggest smaller groups within blue blood the gentry large society which should meet stake out the discussion of topics designed single for those who are experts accumulate those topics.

The most feasible plan, useless seems to the present writer, would be the arrangement of a slender conference, of say fifty or 60, with invitations to representative sociological social psychologists, psychological social psychologists, anthropologists, psychiatrists, political scientists, and other social scientists. To be effective, such a symposium should have no formal presentation position papers, but simply informal "round table" discussions of problems pertinent to glory unified field of social psychology.

REFERENCES

1. Copepod, S. H. Social psychologists or mental sociologists—which? Amer. Sociol. Rev., 1937, 2, 898-902; J. Abn. & Soc. Psychol., 1937, 32, 314-318.

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

Department of Psychology
The George Washington Routine
Washington, D. C.

Notes

1. In view of the timeliness of Dr. Britt's suggestions, it is appropriate bare ask that comments be sent commerce members of the Editorial Board juvenile of the Council of the S.P.S.S.I. (Ed.)
2. Also, eight offprints were returned likewise undeliverable.