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Cajal, Psychologist of Science

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 December 2017

Nuria Anaya-Reig  and
Manuela Romo
Nuria Anaya-Reig*
Affiliation:
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Spain)
Manuela Romo
Affiliation:
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain)
*
*Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Nuria Anaya-Reig. Departamento de Ciencias de la Educación, el Lenguaje, la Cultura y las Artes de la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. 28943 Fuenlabrada, Madrid (Spain). E-mail: nuria.anaya@urjc.es
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Abstract

This paper presents abundant empirical evidence to support the view that Santiago Ramón y Cajal was a pioneer of the emerging Psychology of Science discipline. Narrative analysis of his autobiography (Recollections of my Life) and some of his unspecialized works (Advice for a Young Investigator, The World from an Eighty-Year-Old’s Point of View, and Café Chats) revealed that the Spanish histologist’s interest in the psychology of scientists was part and parcel of a high-level, intellectual self-regulation strategy he applied on his path to success. This research led him to document various psychological conclusions about scientists in writing, so as to encourage, guide, and facilitate the work of junior researchers. Current knowledge of the Psychology of Science has confirmed many of the Nobel laureate’s observations about psychosocial aspects of scientists, scientific reasoning, and creativity.

Keywords

Cajalcreativitygeniuspsychology of sciencescientists
Type
Research Article
Information
The Spanish Journal of Psychology , Volume 20 , 2017 , E69
Copyright
Copyright © Universidad Complutense de Madrid and Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Madrid 2017 

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Footnotes

How to cite this article:

Anaya-Reig, N., & Romo, M. (2017). Cajal, psychologist of science. The Spanish Journal of Psychology, 20. e69. Doi:10.1017/sjp.2017.71

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