[In quest of objectivity - The concept of reflexology as an attempt towards a mechanistic doctrine of psychics]
In Plain Language: reflexology, explained
The concept of reflexology had been mainly developed in Russia in the first three decades of the 20th century. It could be regarded as a distinct and universal concept which was to explain both psychic diseases, healthy conditions, and psychology of masses. Moreover, it had been influenced behaviourism and, likewise, was an answer for the search of an objective method for investigation of the psyche. Main protagonists were Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev and Naum Efimovich Ishlondsky (Ischlondsky) whose works underwent international dissemination. Mit der Reflexologie entstand in den ersten drei Jahrzehnten des 20. Jahrhunderts in Russland ein eigenständiges, Universalität beanspruchendes Konzept, welches sowohl psychische Störungen, psychisches Normalerleben als auch massenpsychologische Phänomene erklären sollte. Es beeinflusste den Behaviorismus und war wie jener eine Antwort auf die Suche nach einer objektiven Methode der Untersuchung psychischer Vorgänge. Wichtige Protagonisten waren Vladimir Michajlovič Bechterev und Naum Efimovič Išlondskij (Ischlondsky), deren Schriften internationale Verbreitung fanden.
Key Findings: what this qualitative study found
- ✓Reflexology was developed primarily in Russia during the first three decades of the 20th century as a universal concept intended to explain psychic diseases, healthy psychological conditions, and mass psychology phenomena.
- ✓Reflexology influenced behaviorism and represented an attempt to establish an objective, mechanistic method for investigating psychological processes.
- ✓Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev and Naum Efimovich Ishlondsky were the main protagonists of reflexology whose work achieved international dissemination.
What This Means for You
This is a historical analysis, not a clinical study, so it does not provide evidence about whether reflexology treatments work for health conditions.
What This Means for Practitioners
Understanding reflexology's roots in early Russian neuroscience and behaviorism may help contextualize the theoretical foundations of the practice within the history of psychology.
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
This is a historical analysis, not a clinical study, so it does not provide evidence about whether reflexology treatments work for health conditions.
What did this study find?
Reflexology was developed primarily in Russia during the first three decades of the 20th century as a universal concept intended to explain psychic diseases, healthy psychological conditions, and mass psychology phenomena. Reflexology influenced behaviorism and represented an attempt to establish an objective, mechanistic method for investigating psychological processes. Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev and Naum Efimovich Ishlondsky were the main protagonists of reflexology whose work achieved international dissemination.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a qualitative study and we rate its evidence preliminary. It was published in Fortschritte der Neurologie-Psychiatrie. Reflexology is a complementary therapy, not a replacement for medical treatment.
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