Psychology's Territories

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This collection explores the intersections of psychological thought and practice through historical and interdisciplinary lenses. It examines the concept of attention, highlighting the fluctuations between physiology, experimental psychology, and practical applications. The discussion on intention and will delves into the complexities of causality and the critique of free will, addressing its implications as a social institution and the metaphysical assumptions surrounding it. The shaping of will in self-help literature is also considered. The notion of the self is scrutinized through various perspectives, including the roles of experimenters and subjects in early 20th-century American psychology, the colonization of the self in societal contexts, and the philosophical implications of self-deception. The role of instruments in psychological research is another focal point, with discussions on what constitutes a psychological instrument, the significance of measurement in social sciences, and the relationship between psychology and neuroscience. The potential and limitations of brain imaging methods in understanding cognitive processes are critically assessed, alongside the metaphorical implications of instruments in psychology. The collection concludes by revisiting reflexivity and its impact on the framing of psychological research, emphasizing the dynamic interplay between tools, theories, and data in cognitive science.