Neo-Catholics against new psychology in 19th century Spain: The journal La Ciencia Cristiana (1877-1887).

In the 1870s, Krausists and Catholics struggled for hegemony in Spanish educational institutions. In the midst of the fray, a group of neo-Kantian intellectuals, led by José del Perojo, set out to renew psychology in Spain by introducing Wundt's physiological psychology and Darwinian evolutionism. Neither Catholics nor Krausists welcomed the proposal. In the case of Catholics, the fundamentalist group led by professor of metaphysics Juan Manuel Ortí y Lara founded the journal La Ciencia Cristiana [Christian Science] to counter the neo-Kantian and Darwinian influences. In this article, I present a selection of texts from the journal to show how the editors tried to discredit the foundations of physiological psychology and evolutionism, as well as to promote a scholastic philosophy based on the literal interpretation of the texts of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Finally, I suggest that the identification of Catholic philosophy with fundamentalist scholasticism delayed the development of neo-scholastic psychology in Spain. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Mujeres extraviadas: psicología y prostitución en la España de postguerra / Stray Women: Psychology and Prostitution in Postwar Spain

La brutal depresión económica en que se sumió la España de postguerra empujó a muchas mujeres a recurrir a la prostitución como único medio de subsistencia. Las autoridades franquistas habían anulado el decreto abolicionista republicano por lo que el comercio sexual era tolerado. Sin embargo, el auge incontrolado de la prostitución hizo reaccionar a las autoridades y se establecieron cárceles especiales para prostitutas. En el presente artículo, se analizan los trabajos de postguerra sobre la psicología de la prostitución de tres personajes situados en instituciones claves de la época: Antonio Vallejo Nágera (Universidad de Madrid, Consejo Nacional de Sanidad), Eduardo Martínez Martínez (Clínica Psiquiátrica Penitenciaria de Mujeres) y Francisco J. Echalecu y Canino (Patronato de Protección a la Mujer). Los textos de estos tres autores y sus investigaciones sobre prostitutas españolas les llevan a caracterizarlas como afectas innatas de psicopatía sexual, deficiencia mental y amoralidad. Este diagnóstico les conduce a justificar su internamiento en las cárceles especiales para prostitutas, para reforma. De este modo, los trabajos de Vallejo, Martínez y Echalecu fueron instrumentales para la justificación del establecimiento de las cárceles especiales. El marco conceptual de la biopsicología de inspiración alemana se puso al servicio del proyecto social de la biopolítica franquista.

The brutal economic depression in which post-Civil War Spain sank pushed many women to resort to prostitution as their only means of subsistence. The pro-Franco authorities had annulled the republican abolitionist decree and sexual commerce was again tolerated. Nevertheless, the uncontrolled height of prostitution compelled the authorities to react and special jails for "misled" women were created. We analyze the publications of this postwar period related to the psychology of prostitution by three individuals working in key institutions at the time: Antonio Vallejo Nágera (University of Madrid, National Health Council), Eduardo Martinez Martinez (Penitentiary for Women Psychiatric Clinic) and Francisco J. Echalecu y Canino (Patronage for the Protection of Women). The publications by these three authors and their investigations on Spanish prostitutes led them to characterize these women as innate chronic sexual psychopaths, with mental deficiency and amorality. This diagnosis was used to justify their confinement for reform in special jails for "fallen" women. In this way, the publications by Vallejo, Martinez and Echalecu y Canino were instrumental to justify the establishment of these special jails. The conceptual frame of the biopsychology of German inspiration was used to service the social project of the pro-Franco biopolitics.

La psicología criminal en la policía de Franco / Criminal psychology in Franco’s police

Antecedentes: Francisco J. de Echalecu (1897-1957) fue un psiquiatra español que ocupó los cargos de profesor de Psicología en la Escuela General de Policía y neuropsiquiatra de la Dirección General de Seguridad. Método: en este trabajo se presenta una breve biografía del Dr. Echalecu y se analiza la transcripción de sus clases de Psicologia Criminal de 1942, su Psicología Criminal de 1947, así como su intervención en el caso de las torturas al líder comunista Heriberto Quiñones. Resultados: se presenta su proyecto de una Psicología criminal totalitaria y su propuesta de intervención social, en base tanto a métodos eugenésicos como de reclusión obligatoria de los clasificados como asociales. Se describe la adaptación en España del proyecto psicológico totalitario a la nueva realidad internacional creada tras la segunda Guerra Mundial. Conclusiones: en España se preparaba una «solución final» para la delincuencia y la disidencia política, inspirada en la política criminal nazi y promovida por el Dr. Echalecu desde la máxima instancia policial de España, la DGS. El proyecto se frustró por la derrota alemana en la Guerra Mundial, y del proyecto original solo quedó la aplicación arbitraria a los individuos considerados asociales de la Ley de Vagos y Maleantes (AU)

Francisco J. de Echalecu (1897-1957) was a Spanish psychiatrist who held important positions, such as Psychology Professor at the Academia General de Policía and Neuropsychiatrist at the Dirección General de Seguridad. Method: This work provides a brief biography of Echalecu and analyzes the transcriptions of his classes on Criminal Psychology of 1942, his Criminal Psychology from 1947 as well as his involvement in the case of the torture of Communist leader Heriberto Quiñones. Results: We describe his project of a totalitarian Psychology and his proposal of social intervention, including eugenic methodologies as well as forced reclusion for those labeled as asocial. The adaptation in Spain of the totalitarian psychological project to the new international reality after the Second World War is also described. Conclusions: In Spain a «final solution» for criminals and political dissidents has been prepared, which was inspired by the Nazi criminal policies and promoted by Dr. Echalecu from Spain’s higher police body, the DGS. This project was frustrated by the German defeat in the world war and the only thing left from the original project was the arbitrary application of the Ley de Vagos y Maleantes [an antivagrancy law] to those individuals labeled as «asocial» (AU)

[Criminal psychology in Franco's police]. / La psicología criminal en la policía de Franco.

BACKGROUND: Francisco J. de Echalecu (1897-1957) was a Spanish psychiatrist who held important positions, such as Psychology Professor at the Academia General de Policía and Neuropsychiatrist at the Dirección General de Seguridad. METHOD: This work provides a brief biography of Echalecu and analyzes the transcriptions of his classes on Criminal Psychology of 1942, his Criminal Psychology from 1947 as well as his involvement in the case of the torture of Communist leader Heriberto Quiñones. RESULTS: We describe his project of a totalitarian Psychology and his proposal of social intervention, including eugenic methodologies as well as forced reclusion for those labeled as asocial. The adaptation in Spain of the totalitarian psychological project to the new international reality after the Second World War is also described. CONCLUSIONS: In Spain a "final solution" for criminals and political dissidents has been prepared, which was inspired by the Nazi criminal policies and promoted by Dr. Echalecu from Spain's higher police body, the DGS. This project was frustrated by the German defeat in the world war and the only thing left from the original project was the arbitrary application of the Ley de Vagos y Maleantes [an antivagrancy law] to those individuals labeled as "asocial".

Positive bias is a defining characteristic of aging to the same extent as declining performance.

The aim of this study was to analyze whether one of the supposed gains of aging--positive bias--discriminates between young and older participants to the same extent as some of the losses in cognitive performance--recall and source monitoring--that come with age. Two age groups (N = 120)--young (M = 22.08, SD = 3.30) and older (M = 72.78, SD = 6.57)--carried out three tasks with varying levels of difficulty that included recall, recognition, and source monitoring using pictures, faces, and personal descriptors exchanged in a conversation as stimuli. The results of the discriminant analysis performed on 20 dependent variables indicated that six of them were key in discriminating between young and older participants. Younger participants outperformed older participants in recalling pictures, and in recognizing the descriptors exchanged in a conversation, as well as in monitoring their source. Just as important in discriminating between the two groups were the ability to recognize previously seen pictures, the likability rating they produced, and the recognition of faces with positive expressions--all superior in older participants. Thus, variables related to a positive bias--likability ratings and recognition of positive expressions--characterize the differences as a function of age as well as variables related to cognitive performance, such as recall and source monitoring. In addition, the likability ratings evoked by both pictures and faces were also significantly higher in the older participants with better cognitive performance than in those who performed poorly. This effect was not present in younger participants. The results are interpreted within the framework of socioemotional selectivity theory as evidence for a positive bias in old age. The connection between a positive bias and the maintenance of cognitive performance is also discussed.

Agustín Moreno: psicología científica y responsabilidad legal de la mujer en España / Agustín Moreno: scientific psychology and women’s legal responsibility in Spain

Agustín Moreno Rodríguez (1886-1967) estudió Medicina y Ciencias Naturales en la Universidad Central de España, en Madrid. Fue alumno de los doctores Luis Simarro, catedrático de Psicología Experimental, y Tomás Maestre, catedrático de Medicina Legal, Toxicología y Psiquiatría. En 1910 publicó el texto Responsabilidad civil y penal de la mujer durante el período menstrual. En este trabajo abordó la cuestión de la responsabilidad legal de la mujer basándose en el principio de excitación/ reacción de Claude Bernard y en una versión personal del concepto de iteración elaborado por Luis Simarro. Moreno defiende asimismo la tesis de que la menstruación añade alguna particularidad al funcionalismo psíquico femenino y modifica, por tanto, la imputabilidad de las acciones de la mujer. Se comenta el enfoque predominante sobre la mente de la mujer en la psicología científica española de la época y la respuesta de las intelectuales feministas españolas (AU)

Agustín Moreno Rodríguez (1886-1967) studied Medicine and Natural Sciences at the Central University of Spain, in Madrid. He was a student of Dr. Luis Simarro, the University’s professor of Experimental Psychology and of Tomas Maestre, the University’s professor of Medical Law, Toxicology and Psychiatry. In 1910, he published the text The woman’s civil and penal responsibility during the menstrual period. In this work, he approaches the question of the legal responsibility of women, based on the principle of excitation/reaction of Claude Bernard and on his personal version of the concept of iteration elaborated by Luis Simarro. Dr. Moreno also defends the thesis that menstruation adds some uniqueness to the function of the feminine psyche and, therefore, modifies the responsibility of a woman’s actions. We also comment on the predominant approach to the mind of women in the Spanish scientific psychology of that time and the reaction of the Spanish feminist intellectuals (AU)

[Agustín Moreno: scientific psychology and women's legal responsibility in Spain]. / Agustín Moreno: psicología científica y responsabilidad legal de la mujer en España.

Agustín Moreno Rodríguez (1886-1967) studied Medicine and Natural Sciences at the Central University of Spain, in Madrid. He was a student of Dr. Luis Simarro, the University's professor of Experimental Psychology and of Tomas Maestre, the University's professor of Medical Law, Toxicology and Psychiatry. In 1910, he published the text The woman's civil and penal responsibility during the menstrual period. In this work, he approaches the question of the legal responsibility of women, based on the principle of excitation/reaction of Claude Bernard and on his personal version of the concept of iteration elaborated by Luis Simarro. Dr. Moreno also defends the thesis that menstruation adds some uniqueness to the function of the feminine psyche and, therefore, modifies the responsibility of a woman's actions. We also comment on the predominant approach to the mind of women in the Spanish scientific psychology of that time and the reaction of the Spanish feminist intellectuals.

[Manuel Azaña and psychology]. / Manuel Azaña y la Psicología.

Manuel Azaña (1880-1940) was President of the II Spanish Republic and one of the most influential intellectuals of the Republican culture. His doctoral thesis addressed some of the social psychology problems of his time regarding the issue of the legal responsibility of the masses. Azaña also showed interest in psychology during his time as a grantee in Paris and he became a close friend of two of the most influential Spanish psychologists: Luis Simarro y Gonzalo Rodríguez Lafora. Azaña's biography reflects the rise of Spanish psychologists of the early 20th century and their tragic dispersion at the end of the Spanish Civil War.

Manuel Azaña y la psicología / Manuel Azaña and psychology

Manuel Azaña (1880-1940) fue Presidente de la II República española y uno de los intelectuales más influyentes de la cultura republicana. Su memoria doctoral abordó algunos de los problemas de la Psicología Social de su tiempo en relación con el tema de la responsabilidad penal de las masas. Azaña se interesó también por la Psicología durante su estancia como becario en París y mantuvo una estrecha amistad con dos de los más influyentes psicólogos españoles: Luis Simarro y Gonzalo Rodríguez Lafora. La biografía de Azaña reflejó el auge de los psicólogos españoles de principios del siglo xx y su trágica dispersión al final de la Guerra Civil Española(AU)

Manuel Azaña (1880-1940) was President of the II Spanish Republic and one of the most influential intellectuals of the Republican culture. His doctoral thesis addressed some of the social psychology problems of his time regarding the issue of the legal responsibility of the masses. Azaña also showed interest in psychology during his time as a grantee in Paris and he became a close friend of two of the most influential Spanish psychologists: Luis Simarro y Gonzalo Rodríguez Lafora. Azaña’s biography reflects the rise of Spanish psychologists of the early 20th century and their tragic dispersion at the end of the Spanish Civil War(AU)

Psicología y vocación religiosa en España / Religious vocation and psychology in Spain

En la década de los 60 del pasado siglo culminó un proceso de aproximación de la Iglesia católica española a la psicología científica coincidiendo con los tiempos de renovación impulsados por el Concilio Vaticano II. En este contexto creció la inquietud por determinar qué posibilidades ofrecía la psicología a la Iglesia en la tarea de seleccionar los candidatos al sacerdocio y la vida religiosa. Julián Ibáñez y Sabino Ayestarán se destacaron por sus análisis y propuestas, que estudiamos en el presente trabajo

In the decade of the sixties of the last century, the Spanish Catholic Church established a process of connection with scientific psychology, coinciding with the times of renewal set in motion by the II Vatican Council. In this context, concern for determining the possibilities provided by psychology to the Church in its task of selecting candidates for priesthood and religious life increased. The interesting and well articulated proposals carried out by Julián Ibáñez and Sabino Ayestarán are analyzed and discussed in this paper

La escuela de Psicología y Psicotecnia de la Universidad de Madrid (1954-1989) / The Escuela de Psicología and Psicotecnia at the University of Madrid (1954-1989)

La Escuela de Psicología y Psicotecnia de la Universidad de Madrid abrió sus puertas en el curso 1954-55 con Juan Zaragüeta como Director y Mariano Yela como Secretario. En este artículo se repasa la trayectoria docente de la Escuela desde su fundación hasta su desaparición al ser asumidos en España los estudios de Psicología por las nuevas Facultades Universitarias (AU)

The Escuela de Psicología and Psicotecnia at the University of Madrid opened on the academic year 1954-1955, with Juan Zaragüeta as Head and Mariano Yela as Secretary. In this paper its academic history is traced from its foundation to its closure, when the psychological studies were included in the new Spanish university faculties (AU)

Pavlov in Spain.

Reflexology has been present throughout Spanish science since the last third of the nineteenth century and its importance can be seen in the works of authors such as Martín Salazar, Ramón y Cajal, Gómez Ocaña, Simarro and Turró. The most important research in Reflexology in Spain takes place a) at the Schools of Neurophysiology and Psychology in Barcelona and Madrid, b) with a group of authors specializing in pathological medicine and c) in the Military's Health Department, Pavlov's work was received in Spain with special interest. Fernández-España, who could be considered the "first Spanish Pavlovian," emphasized Pavlov's work in a series dedicated to the study of objective psychology which was published between 1914 and 1924. Planelles was the first investigator to develop a program in pavlovian experimentation, presenting his results in 1935. The Civil War (1936-1939) ended these and many other Spanish projects in psychology. After the war, interest in Reflexology and Pavlov's theories slowly rose again, first through psychosomatic medicine and then in the 60's because of the works of such authors as Monserrat-Esteve, Rof Carballo and Colodrón. The progressive inclusion of psychology in the Schools of Philosophy and Arts after 1968 marked the beginning of a new era.

Francisco Grande Covián y la Psicología / Francisco Grande Covián and Psychology

Francisco Grande Covián (1909-1995) nació en Colunga (Asturias). Fue uno de los discípulos más cercanos del Dr. Juan Negrín, catedrático de Fisiología de la Universidad Central de Madrid y Presidente del Gobierno. El Dr. Grande Covián fue separado de la Universidad, durante diez años tras la Guerra Civil, por su lealtad al Gobierno. En este período publicó cuatro trabajos en la Revista de Psicología General y Aplicada. Se estudia el contenido de estos trabajos con especial referencia a las ideas de Grande en torno a la psicofisiología de la percepción y los mecanismos psicológicos del hambre y el gusto (AU)

Francisco Grande Covián (1909-1995) was born in Colunga, Asturias, Spain. He was among the closest disciples of Dr. Juan Negrín, Professor of Physiology at Universidad Central, Madrid and President of the Spanish Government. Dr. Grande Covián was sentenced by Franco’s authorities to ten years of academic ostracism after the Spanish Civil War because of his loyalty to the government. In this period he published four papers in Revista de Psicología General y Aplicada. The content of this papers is studied with special reference to Grande’s ideas on the psychophysiology of perception and the psychological mechanisms of hunger and taste (AU)