The New Psychology

This book is not intended as a text book of The New Psychology—neither is it technical in character nor treatment. Its purpose is solely to present the “working principles” of The New Psychology in a plain, simple form, that they may be understood and used by any person of average intelligence. There has been no attempt at delicate phrasing, or fine writing—everything has been sacrificed to utility and “workability.” As will be seen from an examination of its pages, it follows along the lines of the pragmatic trend of thought now so rapidly coming to the fore—it brushes aside theory or attempts to guess the ultimate nature of the mind, or that behind mind, and devotes itself solely to the “What is it good for?” “what can be done with it?” “how will it work out?” side of the subject. The metaphysical or philosophical side of the subject has been avoided purposely, for the reasons above indicated. This book is intended to be the first of a series of works to be called “The New Psychology Series,” which will be issued by the same publishers. In a sense it is an introductory volume to the series, although independent and apart from them, it conveys its own message and teaches its own ideas and methods. It is complete in itself, and yet serves to introduce the other works to the student who desires to follow the subject still farther. The keynote of the book may be found in the test question deciding the degree of positivity of ideas, thoughts, feelings, emotions, desires and other mental states which question is given in its concluding chapter. That question is: “Will this make me stronger, more powerful, more capable, more efficient, better?” It is believed that a careful study of this book will enable the student to successfully apply this test in every day life. And this is the test that the writer desires all to apply to the book itself. William Walker Atkinson. Chicago, January 8, 1909.