Journal of Abnormal Psychology Volume 16 Author:Morton Prince This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 edition. Excerpt: ... step further, the author questions the judgments and value of crowd rule or democracy. Is it not irrational, tyrannical,... more » and hopelessly conservative and "propagandered"? To give a final word in this matter the writer very wisely refers to other experts in that field; but he leaves the suggestion that democracy is the best mechanism of government, and that education beginning with the individual is the solution for bettering present affairs and the way to salvation from the evils of some of the present day social movements. Following upon this brief outline of the contents of the book, a discussion and criticism of it seem obvious. Its principal weakness (if it may be termed such) lies in its dependence upon and avowed agreement with the theories of Freud. All criticisms of vagueness, mysticism, and lack of adequate proof that have been made of Freudian theories and methods are equally applicable here. The discussions and practical illustrations from everyday life appear sound; but there is a lack of definite empirical proof to substantiate any of the more fundamental suppositions of the "unconscious," "crowd mind," etc., as used in this larger sense. Freud has achieved a goodly number of seemingly remarkable cures by his so-called reductive method, but his general theories are far from being universally accepted. A considerable number of psychologists in fact conceive that many of the results are achieved chiefly through the personality and experience of the investigator, and in spite of his theories, rather than by means of them. Lack of space prevents further discussion of this question, but it must be settled before we can seriously assume the validity of many of the assumptions in "Behavior of Crowds." Another item in question is...« less