| The American psychologist Edward Chase Tolman, b. West Newton, Mass., Apr. 14, 1886, d. Nov. 19, 1959, was theprincipal exponent of a cognitive learning theory that attempted to unite the methods of behaviorism with the concept of
mentalism. Tolman attended Harvard University, where he was strongly influenced by Ralph Barton Perry. Shortly
after receiving (1915) his doctorate from Harvard, Tolman began teaching (1918) at the University of California at Berkeley, an association he maintained until his death. Following Perry's theories, Tolman insisted on viewing organisms as intrinsically goal directed, as "experiencing" environmental stimuli as signs, as forming "cognitive maps" of their environments, and as behaving in ways relevant to the attainment of goals. Tolman's behaviorism was "molar" (working with large units of
behavior) rather than "molecular" (working with small units of behavior), purposive rather than mechanistic.In his later academic life Tolman was strongly influenced both by the ideas of Kurt Lewin and of Egon Brunswik and by
psychoanalysis. Tolman collaborated with Talcott Parsons, Edward Shils, and others in advancing a general theory of action integrating
psychology, psychoanalysis, economics, and sociology. His major writings include Purposive Behavior in Animals and Men (1932) and Drives toward War (1942). |
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