This classic work, first published in German in 1926 and subsequently in English in 1940, was the first comprehensive introduction to the field of comparative developmental psychology. In her new prologue to this reprint of the revised edition, originally published by International Universities Press in 1948, Margery Franklin sketches the key events in Werner's life, the major themes in his concept of development, and relevant issues for today's scholars.



Margery B. Franklin, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York [new prologue]



Book I. Introduction Chapter 1. The Fields, the Problems, and the Methods of Developmental Psychology Book II. Primitive Mental Activities Part One. Sensorimotor, Perceptual, and Affective Organization Chapter 2. The Syncretic Character of Primitive Organization Chapter 3. Diffuse Forms of Sensorimotor and Perceptual Organization Part Two. Primitive Imagery Chapter 4. Syncretic and Diffuse Organization in Imagery Part Three. Primitive Notions of Space and Time Chapter 5. Primitive Notions of Space Chapter 6. Primitive Notions of Time Part Four. Primitive Action Chapter 7. The Nature of Syncretic Action: Action as Bound to the Concrete Situation Chapter 8. The Diffuse Character of Primitive Action Part Five. Primitive Thought Processes Chapter 9. Conception Chapter 10. The Primary Structure of Thought Chapter 11. The Fundamental Ideas of Magic as an Expression of Primitive Conceptualization Book III. The World and Personality Chapter 12. Primitive Worlds and Spheres of Reality Chapter 13. Primitive Personality Addenda References Bibliography