Si puo' parlare della presenza di John Broadus Watson nella psicología italiana fino agli anni '50?

Abstract

The author, considering the cultural absence of Watsons thought in Italian psychology during the period beginning early in the century up to the end of the 19505, investigates into the possible reasons that have determined the neglect of both of his person and his thought. The causes that have generated such a silence can be attributed, according to the author, to certain characteristics of Italian psychology during Watsons scientific activity and, in particular:
1. a constant preoccupation with philosophical problems connected first with positivistic evolutionism and, later, because of a clear subjection to philosophy.
2. the emphasis upon 'applied psychology' with a lack of participation, except for very few instances, in the debate concerning the construction of theoretical models.
3. a partial affinity to Wundt's model.
4. an unleasing battle against materialism, in the defense of the role of consciousness and of the introspective method in psychology.