Citation

Benjafield JG. Arch. Suicide Res. 2002; 6(1): 5-14.

Affiliation

Department of Psychology, Brock University, St. Catherines, Ontaria, Canada

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, International Academy of Suicide Research, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13811110213119

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Wilhelm Wundt's distinction between experimental methods appropriate for understanding simple processes and naturalistic methods appropriate for understanding complex processes is shown to be reflected throughout the history of research methods. Experimental methods are illustrated through the work of logical positivists, operationists and behaviorists like B.F. Skinner. Naturalistic methods are illustrated through the work of applied psychologists like Elton Mayo and clinicians like Kurt Goldstein. Wundt's distinction is also reflected in the contrasting approaches at statisticians like R.A. Fisher, whose work so influenced the experimental tradition, and Lee. J. Cronbach, whose work was central to the correlational tradition.