Discussion opener for GRGR(4)

[Paul Mackin]

Been waiting avidly for that wished-for Pavlov expert to
appear . . .

It was always kind of hard for me to picture what 
"Pavlovian" Pointsman would have been doing in civilian 
life--before joining the war effort. Would someone with 
Pointsman's psychological interests still be measuring 
salivary secretions in normal unanesthetized dogs or 
things at all similar? That remark to Roger about 
keeping the captured animal "normative as possible" is 
very Pavlovian-sounding but rather out of date. It IS 
made clear that the good doctor's preference would have 
been one of those "foxes" over _some old dog_ any day.

But my point is that Pavlov's renown and contribution
were in _physiology_ (though he was probably 
overshadowed in his specific field of endeavor by the 
British Sherrington), while a modern Pavlovian (circa 
1940) would be a _psychologist_, working under the 
_inspiration_ of the conditioned reflex findings, but 
using entirely different methodology. Doing re-education 
and aversion therapy-type stuff and maybe even a little 
brainwashing in a pinch.

It is true that in later life (and probably inadvisedly) 
Pav tried to apply his ideas to psychiatry. That's what 
the famous "Book" is all about. I take it that _GR_ only 
exaggerates a bit about this latter specululation.

All to very good effect however. Comes off very 
well--maybe my favorate chapter so far.

Hope these musing (correct or incorrect I have no idea)  
will encourage that Pavlov expert to come forward.

			P.