The Process of Generalizing Abstraction, and Its Product, the General Concept Classic Reprint

Excerpt from The Process of Generalizing Abstraction, and Its Product, the General Concept

The investigation which is here reported aims to make a con tribution to the psychology of generalizing abstraction and its final product, the general concept. In arranging our experiments, our essential purpose was to ensure the presence of a genuine process of generalizing abstraction; to provide favorable condi tions for an accurate introspective analysis and description of this process and its product; and then to obtain from a number of trained observers a complete and detailed account of the mental contents and factors involved in the process, and of the form in which the general concept which resulted from this process ap peared in consciousness. Our endeavor has been to throw light upon the following questions: What are the events which trans pire in an observer's consciousness after he'has been confronted with a task whose successful performance necessitates the act of generalizing abstraction? What is the form in consciousness of Of the general concept? Does this form vary, in proportion to the age and deep-rootedness of the concept? Does there exist in any or all Observers a specific consciousness of generality or of universality, when dealing with features which appear in every member of a group of objects? DO there exist marked individual differences in abstracting and in concept-form? If such differ emees exist, in what do they consist?

The investigation was conducted in the Psychological Labora tory of Clark University, during the years 1912 and 1913. Throughout the experimentation, our first debt has been to Pro fessor J. W. Baird, who suggested the problem, and contributed generously of his time and energies both as advisor and as observer. It is a pleasure to take this opportunity of expressing our thanks to him, and to our other observers, whose patience and good will made the investigation possible. We are also indebted for many helpful suggestions and criticisms to Pro fessor Mary W. Calkins, to Dr. Ivy G. Campbell, and to Dr.

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