History from Our Textbooks: Boring, Langfeld, and Weld's Introductory Texts (1935–1948+)

Abstract

Textbooks attempt to present a comprehensive portrayal of a subject matter. Introductory psychology textbooks provide an overview of contemporary psychology. Reviewing the texts of an earlier period may provide a portrait of psychology of that period without the bias of our present time. This article reports the results of an actuarial analysis of three editions of the Boring, Langfeld, and Weld introductory texts published between 1935 and 1948. These editions are compared with contemporary introductory psychology texts.