Approaches to Personality: Some Contemporary Conceptions Used in Psychology and Psychiatry.: By Gardner Murphy and Friedrich Jensen. With a Supplement by John Levy. New York: Coward-McCann, 1931. 427 p.

The authors, a psychologist and a psychiatrist, have attempted to present in an unprejudiced manner the attitude of the various modern psychological schools toward personality. The approaches

of Gestalt Psychology, Psychology of Sensation, Behaviorism, Psychoanalysis, Analytic Psychology, Individual Psychology, Child Guidance, and, finally, Eclecticism are given in turn. The presentation reveals a serious and studious attitude, and it is evident that the authors have read extensively and have made a great effort not only to understand the theories and methods of each school but also to present them in an exact and comprehensive manner.

It is true that their bias, particularly that of Dr. Jensen, is evidenced by the space and interest given to Individual Psychology. More important than this bias, however, is the unfortunate fact that it is possible to have a very wide reading acquaintance with a subject and yet not understand it. Whether the other schools have been treated adequately in all details the reviewer does not feel sufficiently prepared to judge, but from a more or less superficial acquaintance with the subjects the presentation appears to be clear.

It is evident, however, that many aspects of psychoanalysis have been misunderstood and hence misrepresented by Dr. Jensen. In the first place, his presentation is very confusing, psychoanalysis as a theory and as a method being considered as one–thus: "Psychoanalysis rests upon three main pillars, 1. Unconscious, 2. repression, and 3. transference." He then proceeds to discuss these factors in the basic theory of psychoanalysis. How little he understands the concept of "transference" is revealed by the following statement taken from the discussion of Individual Psychology: "Transference and resistance are of little importance, and repression of none." One who can make such a remark concerning any method of psychotherapy is indeed lacking in understanding of even the fundamental concepts of the psychoa