Pavlov’s fundamental theory of higher nervous activity concerns the adaptation to changing external environments of organisms such as dogs, apes, and humans. In the 1920s, Pavlov and his disciples used laboratory experimentation to study the etiology and therapy of neuroses In human beings and other species. Later, In the 1930s, Pavlov devoted much time and effort to the systematic study of psychopathology In clinical settings. Psychopathology and Psychiatry is Pavlov’s little-known series of descriptions of these experiments and findings. Pavlov used two fundamental approaches In the study of neuroses and psychoses: the conditioned salivary reflex method, with dogs as subjects; and the observation of neurotic and psychotic behavior In humans. Pavlov was primarily Interested In how the cortex worked to facilitate the orgaftilsm's adaptation to the external environment. The conditioned reflex findings were explained In terms of hypothetical physiological processes. Pavlov was certain that dogs’ Inability to adapt flexibly was the result of conflicts and traumatic experiences. Soon thereafter, he linked these discoveries to actual human cases of neuroses and psychoses. These are covered In this volume. In a new introduction to this classic text, George Windholz traces Pavlov’s scholarly and scientific life, highlighting his various studies and results under stressful political and pedagogical conditions. Psychopathology and Psychiatry continues to be a highly significant work of scientific study. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and behavioral researchers of all professional persuasions will find this work to be essential reading.
Pavlov's research was foundational to the twentieth-century understanding of physiology and psychology, yet much of his work remains untranslated from the original Russian language. In this book, Olga Yokoyama sets out to translate the third volume of Pavlov's Complete Works, as well as his last unpublished paper. This volume also contains the papers from the sixth edition of Twenty Years of Objective Study of the Higher Nervous Activity of Animals, arguably the most impactful work by the 1904 Nobel Laureate. His concept of the conditional reflex has influenced human thought far beyond physiology, affecting the ways we view not only such practical matters as learning and child-rearing, but philosophical questions of the mind and its relationship to the psyche, creativity, and individual freedom. This translation is accompanied by three introductory essays which contextualize Pavlov's work from three perspectives: that of Pavlov's text as it was subjected to translation, that of neuropsychological science today, and that of the history of scientific thought and practices.
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