Psychology In Utopia: Toward A Social History Of Soviet Psychology

Psychology in Utopia Psychology in Utopia Toward a Social History of Soviet Psychology Alex Kozulin The MIT Press Cambridge, Massachusetts London, England © 1984 by The Massachusetts Institute of Technology All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This book was set in Baskerville by The MIT Press Computergraphics Department and printed and bound by Halliday Lithograph in the United States of America. Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Kozulin, Alex. Psychology in Utopia. Bibliography: p. Includes index. 1. Psychology-Soviet Union-History. Soviet Union-Philosophy. Social Aspects. U.S.S.R. I. Title. 2. Psychology­ 3. Psychology-Soviet Union­ [DNLM: 1. Psychology-History­ 2. Psychology-U.S.S.R.-Biography. BF 108.R9 K88p] BF108.S65K68 1984 ISBN 0-262-11087-3 150'.947 83-22264 Contents Acknowledgments Chronological Table Introduction vii ix 1 1 Four Generations of Psychologists 5 2 Personalities and Reflexes: The Legacies of Ivan Pavlov and Vladimir 40 Bekhterev 3 Nikolai Bernstein: In Revolt against Pavlovianism 62 4 The Problem of the Unconscious 83 5 Lev Vygotsky: The Continuing Dialogue 102 6 Pavel Blonsky and the Failure of Progressive Education 121 7 Idols and Ideals in Soviet Education Notes Index 137 155 175 RALPH W. STEEN LIBRARY STEPHEN F. AUS:.LI.N STATE UNIVERSIT"f NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS Acknowledgments The origin of this book is typical: It emerged out of a chain of co­ incidences and the good will of a number of different people. For several years I worked at a historical study of Soviet psychology, convinced that my efforts would interest only the closed circle of Soviet scholars anxious to reconsider the recent past of their discipline. My acquaintance with the members of "Cheiron,'' the International Society for the History of the Behavioral and Social Sciences, and my affiliation with the Boston University Center for the Philosophy and History of Science helped to change this point of view. Gradually I realized that a socially informed study of Soviet psychology might be of interest to the general American community of social and behavioral scientists. At this crucial moment I was approached by Sharon Basco of The MIT Press, who convinced me that my studies should take the form of a book and as soon as possible. She also generously agreed to supervise my writing, since English is not my mother tongue. Later onJosefBrozek andJames Wertsch volunteered to examine the manu­ script and to make specific comments and suggestions. It is entirely my fault if I did not care to comply with all of their remarks. Reidel Publishing Company has allowed me to include in this book material drawn from articles published in Studies in Soviet Thought. I am especially grateful to Alexander and Nora Samarov, whose material assistance and moral support helped me to start this project. Discussions with fellow scholars greatly enhanced my understanding of modem philosophy of science and history of psychology. I would like to thank all of them, especially Thomas Blakeley, Arthur Blu­ menthal, Josef Brozek, Sigmund Koch, David Leary, Marx Wartofsky, and James Wertsch. Alex Kozulin Brookline, Massachusetts Chronological Table 1885 Moscow Psychological Society established. 1889 The first psychological journal, Problems of Philo