Some of you may know that I'm actually a psychologist, with a diploma/MSc (but not a therapist), even if I do not really use a great deal of the stuff I learned in university. My main area of interest is personality, or more broadly the field of what is known as "individual differences". I try to keep up in a small way with new developments, reading up on classic and current research whenever I can.
Where others revere Freud, I much admire Raymond B. Cattell, one of the most eminent, if somewhat controversial, psychologists of the 20th century. The controversy stems from claims that he favored eugenics and had quasi-fascist views that are said (by some) to be an undercurrent to his far-ranging research on personality. Lately, I've been looking to complete my small collection of books by Cattell (he was no mumbo-jumbo psychologist but the kind of psychometric researcher whose books are filled with formulae and such).
My most recent acquisition is his most controversial book, titled "A new morality from science: Beyondism" is a late work, combining psychological and philosophical theories and views. Some have called the (now largely defunct) Beyondism a quasi religion. I'm reserving judgment until I've actually read the book, which probably will be a long, hard slog.
The antiquarian book I bought was not listed as a collector's item, and seemed to be a discarded library book. To my surprise, the first page contained a handwritten inscription "to Hans Eysenck" but unfortunately not signed. Eysenck was another famous personality theorist, and the text, style and handwriting could be that of Cattell himself. Now I'm really curious whether I have in my trmebling hands a book not only inscribed by the author, but also one that once was owned by another well-known psychologist. I'm not expecting anyone here on SG to know or even care, but I had a short contact once on Facebook with a daughter of Cattell, so I may be able to get her to verify the handwriting as her dad's. We'll see!
UPDATE: I was lucky enough to contact his youngest daughter, who confirmed that it's "definitely" her father's handwriting. Quite a find, it seems.
And so much for the fascinating (not) world of antiquarian psychology books ;-)
Now, he doesn't look all that evil, does he? OK, maybe a little.
It does have something of a utopian, sci-fi look to it, amirite?
"To Hans Eysenck, who, I trust, will find logical reinforcements for his I.Q. battle in these pages. I am moved to add a word from Henry V. [cutout quote]. 1: This merely refers to views on questionnaire structures. 2. This refers to certain provincial psychology departments north & west of London:"
#psychology #personality
