HISTORY AND PSYCHOLOGY.

The article examines the relationship of society and its evolution with psychology. Important problems of method arise, involving the whole conception of original history. The problem of method that is central here is that of causation. A new notion of causation, that is, of proof of what causes what, has to be developed and accepted. The answer is that the new notion of causal relation between social phenomena, like all notions of causation, depends for its acceptance on the attitude of the perceiver. It seems, therefore, that all forms of proof in sociological studies boil down to two related types of proof, by convergence and by analogy. It is assumed here that the general cause of social psychological changes is to be found in changes in the material conditions of society. A general pattern can be traced through all the various types of behaviour as they spread down into society and gradually become second nature. Certain instincts disappear altogether. Large sections of society have lost any desire whatever to spit.