You do not currently have permission to view the full text for this document. Please sign in to an account with an active subscription or contact support.
This book should be studied, not merely read, duly to appreciate the overwhelming possibilities for psychological research it opens
by a combination of physiological and psychological observation of induced 'nervous' disturbances in animals. Gantt avoids the extreme mechanistic approach of the reflexologist, the metapsychological speculations of the psychoanalyst, the interindividual point of view of the sociologist, aware that the time has not yet arrived to integrate the findings of these different approaches. He also abstains from devising a premature theoretical system of his own, confining himself to cautious explanations of directly observed mechanisms. He publishes, moreover, in his last chapter the interpretations of representatives of three modern concepts of psychopathology to whom he gave the opportunity to study his material: N. E. Ischlondsky (reflexologist of the Pavlovian school), Leon Saul (psychoanalyst), and Alexander Leighton (social anthropologist).
The author recognizes that a study of neurotic disturbances requires a close and long study of individuals rather than a statistical evaluation of a large number of cases. The latter method may be more desirable to rule out individual variations. The book is based on observations of three dogs subjected to similar conflict—creating procedures which brings them to a point where they are unable to discriminate between two very similar stimuli. This leads to a disorganization of the dogs' behavior towards the pathogenic environment including the experimenters. These symptoms are first described in detailed life histories in diary form, covering seven years of the most 'stable' dog, Fritz, five years of the temporarily disturbed dog, Peter, and twelve years of the permanently disturbed dog, Nick, followed by discussions of the symptoms observed, including changes in pulse rate, breathing and sexual behavior. The author instituted therapeutic measures which he discusses in detail, and he evaluate