The experimental method of adolescents: Bärbel Inhelder's unfinished symphony

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Bärbel Inhelder, a key figure in the Genevan school of psychology, co-authored "The Growth of Logical Thinking" with Jean Piaget.
• Inhelder's personal research on inductive reasoning provided the foundational protocols for this seminal work on adolescent cognitive development.
• She independently researched the development of experimental methods for adolescents, intending to publish a dedicated volume.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the reasons behind the non-publication of Bärbel Inhelder's independent manuscript on adolescent experimental methods.
• To contextualize the omission by examining Inhelder's working conditions and the social environment in Geneva during her research period.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of Inhelder's personal research project on inductive reasoning.
• Examination of historical documents and the social context of Geneva.
• Biographical research into Bärbel Inhelder's professional life and collaborations.

Main Results:

• The protocols for "The Growth of Logical Thinking" originated from Inhelder's unpublished research.
• A manuscript by Inhelder on adolescent experimental methods was discovered posthumously but never published.
• The study explores potential socio-historical factors contributing to the manuscript's omission.

Conclusions:

• Bärbel Inhelder's significant contributions to adolescent psychology extend beyond her Piaget collaborations.
• The non-publication of her independent work highlights the complexities of academic research and historical context.
• Further research into Inhelder's work can illuminate the development of experimental psychology in adolescents.