International Journal of Psychology Journal International de Psychologie zyxwv 1975, zyxwvutsrq Vol. 10, No 1, zyxwvuts 85-88 zyxwvutsr Scien tific psychology” and the “American style” Some comments on a paper by D. L. Krantz PETER BLUNT University of Nairobi, Kenya A number of “ephemeral outcomes” and opinions described by Dr. Krantz (1971) in his paper entitled, “The changing worlds of European psychology zyxwvu : impressions and dilemmas” deserve comment. This comment will be directed firstly, at Dr. Krantz’s use of the word “scientific”; secondly at his account of the “American style” and its invasion of Europe and finally some general comments will be made on English usage. “Scientific psychology” Within the compass of a few pages Dr. Krantz refers to: “a telegraphic scientific article” (p. 181); “scientific information ... in ‘hot’ areas” (p. 181); “high output, empirical, quantitative, limited-goal science” (p. 182); “natural science faith” (p. 182); “a science of psychology” (p. 183); and finally, “...an uncritical wedding of ideological and scientific issues” (p. 183). Dr. Krantz fails to define any of these clichks. In the light of the above it is hardly surprising that Dr. Krantz paints a murky picture of psychology’s relation to science. The word “science” has been notorious amongst literary scholars for many years. George Orwell as early as 1946 said, “Other words used in variable meanings, in most cases more or less dishonestly, are: class, totalitarian, science ...” (p. 149) Dr. Krantz has done little to alter this impression. Psychology is frequently criticised for its pretensions to science. The attacks are usually made by natural scientists. It seems reasonable to suppose that American psychologists, who are the more numerous of the species, receive the brunt of such antagonism. However, it is not solely by dint of the “sheer size of the American psychological community” that they are given special attention. Judging INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL DE PSYCHOLOGIE - VOL. 10, No 1