416 STELLA B. VINCENT 



distribution of the errors. The conclusions of all four studies 

 are based upon (a) the time taken to learn the problem (b) the 

 accuracy, initial, final and total, as shown by the number of the 

 errors and (c) the development of speed both initial and final. 

 Birds. — Coburn (5) continues his study of the crow this year 

 by using an adaptation of the multiple choice apparatus and 

 method described for the pig in this article. There were nine 

 compartments and doors. In this experiment there were from 

 two to five doors open. Three problems were attempted: — to 

 take the first door to the right, the second to the left, and the 

 first to the left. Both birds learned one and three but in 500 

 trials had not solved two, i. e., to take the second door to the left. 

 The reason for this is thought to be the disturbing habits set up 

 in the first problem. This is the first of a series of papers using 

 this method of which the one on the pig given above is the 

 second. 



GENERAL SUBJECTS 



Pieron has given us in the last few years several papers which 

 discuss in a theoretical way problems of significance for those 

 engaged in animal psychology. One appearing this year (21) 

 is a general review article of published statements, works and 

 theories dealing with the modern objective attitude in psychology. 

 It is based primarily upon Bechterew's work. Pieron attacks 

 such questions as, why and how such an attitude attained such 

 vogue, where it finds its chief value, how it has affected the 

 methods and view points of modern experimental psychology and 

 he makes an attempt to evaluate its postulates for psychology 

 in general. In one of its meetings the French philosophical 

 society devoted itself to the question of instinct. M. Pieron (20) 

 submitted the following program for discussion: — 



1, Examination of the criteria — often contradictory — utilized 

 in the definition of instinct: — nervous localization, consciousness 

 or unconsciousness, specific identity, immutability, finality. 



2, The impossibility of distinguishing by the criteria, decisively, 

 instinctive acts from reflex or intelligent acts. 



3, The place of instincts in the behavior of animals and the 

 social equivalent of instinct. 



4, The problem — insoluble by science in its generality — of the 

 origin of instinct. 



Previous to this the same author reviewed in a general way 



