O problema do método na psicologia cientifica de Théodule Ribot

Abstract

Théodule Armand Ribot (1839-1916) is considered the father of the French Scientific Psychology. His first works are recognized by many as a mark on the “New Psychology” in that country. In his works, Ribot brings to French public ideas derived from the “new” English and German psychology. Ribot contributed, in a conclusive way, to consolidate psychology as independent science in his country, as he was responsible for the first course of experimental psychology at Sorbonne, the first one hold the “Experimental and Compared Psychology” chair at Collège de France. Nevertheless, the author‟s contribution is more important yet, inclusive regarding psychology method. The present work has for objective, to understand the problem of the psychological investigation method in Ribot‟s work. To attain it, the main texts on the topic were analyzed. His analysis has determined that Ribot sets out from an appropriation of English and German psychologies, to rupture the eclectic hegemonic Spiritualism in France in his epoch and approaching to French medicine; he establishes and applies what he named the Psychopathologic Method, localizing it in a new French scientific psychology.