Thomson, Godfrey Hilton, Sir, 1881-1955 (psychologist and Bell Professor of Education, University of Edinburgh)
Person
Found in 35 Collections and/or Records:
Statistical Methods in Educational and Psychological Problems, 1 Mar 1929
File
Identifier: Coll-1310/3/1/2/9
Scope and Contents
The lecture was delivered to a wide audience, and is designed to be understood by non-statisticians, and non-educators. In it, Thomson explores the uses and limitations of statistics in both education and psychology, illustrating his points with examples of how an educator might effectively predict a child's performance and offer vocational guidance appropriate to their ability and intelligence. Thomson discusses the importance of obtaining a representative sample and the effect...
Dates:
1 Mar 1929
The Aim of Education: - Happiness and Truth, 7 Mar 1942
File
Identifier: Coll-1310/3/1/2/25
Scope and Contents
In the lecture, Thomson outlines his utilitarian educational creed, which involves the greatest happiness of the greatest number. He makes a moral and ethical case for this, and contrasts and balances it with the concept of truth, as well as the needs of the individual, particularly the cultivation and encouragement of genius and talent. Thomson relates this creed back to educational systems and problems, summarising the sometimes conflicting demands each...
Dates:
7 Mar 1942
The Criterion of the Future Career, c1930s-1940s
File
Identifier: Coll-1310/3/1/2/11
Scope and Contents
The lecture regards the problems of examinations at university level, particularly with regards to external and internal examiners, and how these can be resolved. Thomson compares the Scottish system to that of the English, paying particular attention to the examination processes for ordinary degrees in which the Scottish student participates in both the Class Certificate system and the wider examination system of the university; and the English system in which there is a meeting...
Dates:
c1930s-1940s
The Discovery of Talent, 1950
File
Identifier: Coll-1310/3/1/2/32
Scope and Contents
Thomson argues that the talents of the individual should be discovered and encouraged, rather than quashed because they are not intellectual enough. He discusses the uses of examinations and intelligence testing in discovering talent, and the need for tests of non-verbal as well as verbal ability.
The speech is written on the back of minutes from the National Committee for the training of Teachers.
Dates:
1950
The Food of the Gods, 27 November 1925
File
Identifier: Coll-1310/3/1/2/3
Scope and Contents
Thomson begins by emphasising the vital role that school education plays in civilised society. He takes the title of his talk from the H G Wells novel, to which he makes reference. The food of the gods he alludes to is both science and art, and he stresses the importance of both to a balanced civilisation where the two are united by the mastery of language.Thomson praises the school for the opportunities it provides for its pupils and the benefits in...
Dates:
27 November 1925
The Function of Education in the Biological Record, 16 Feb 1930
File
Identifier: Coll-1310/3/1/2/15
Scope and Contents
Thomson parallels and compares competition in the natural world, where the weakest are eliminated and education through play prepares the individual for their environment, with that in the human world, where co-operation protects the unfit and education contributes to a differential birth rate.He discusses possible reasons for the connection between intelligence, education, and family size, exploring whether this phenomenon is due to genetics, environment, or both. He refers to...
Dates:
16 Feb 1930
The Function of Education in the Biological Record, 16 Feb 1930
File
Identifier: Coll-1310/3/1/3/2
Scope and Contents
This lecture is a duplicate of Coll-1310/3/1/2/15, with the addition of a leaflet from the RPA stating their aims, rules, constitution, and objectives, a membership form, and a letter to Thomson from the Rationalist Press Association reminding Thomson of his engagement to lecture.
Dates:
16 Feb 1930
The Growth of Intelligence in Children, c1930s-1940s
File
Identifier: Coll-1310/3/1/2/10
Scope and Contents
The notes are very brief with simple headings to aid Thomson's memory. Topics covered include the development of babies; intelligence testing and IQ; variation; examinations; teaching methods.
Dates:
c1930s-1940s
The Means to the End: Equal Opportunity and Hard Work, 7 March 1942
File
Identifier: Coll-1310/3/1/2/26
Scope and Contents
The lecture is almost identical in content to The Need for Vocational Education, with the exception that Thomson expands more upon the role of play in education.
Dates:
7 March 1942
The need for Vocational Education, c 1942
File
Identifier: Coll-1310/3/1/2/24
Scope and Contents
Thomson stresses the need for more investment and energy to be put into vocational education, looking to America as an example.He emphasises the imbalance of educational investment between the average student versus the above average or the mentally impaired student, arguing that all 3 should receive the same investment, though the methods and curriculum may be different. He proposes the creation of secondary schools equipped for vocational training and apprenticeship, staffed by...
Dates:
c 1942
Additional filters:
- Subject
- Education 27
- Equalityyy 6
- Examinations 6
- Vocational education 6
- Edinburgh -- Scotland 5
- Intelligence tests 5
- Education research 4
- Newcastle Upon Tyne (England) 4
- Intelligence 3
- Art and science 2
- Child psychology 2
- Cultural education 2
- Glasgow Lanarkshire Scotland 2
- Human Evolution 2
- School community relationship 2
- Scotland -- Aberdeenshire -- Aberdeen 2
- Statistics 2
- Wigan Lancashire England 2
- American (cultural identity) 1
- Bingley West Yorkshire England 1
- Birmingham (England) 1
- Child development 1
- Civilisation 1
- Classroom environment 1
- Communities 1
- Crieff (Scotland) 1
- Darlington England 1
- Dundee Angus Scotland 1
- Durham England 1
- Education, Higher 1
- English (cultural identity) 1
- Etymology 1
- Eugenics 1
- Falkirk Scotland 1
- German (cultural identity) 1
- Graduation Ceremonies 1
- Haddington (Scotland) 1
- Heredity 1
- Kassel Germany 1
- Libraries 1
- Mathematics 1
- Music 1
- Propaganda 1
- Psychology 1
- Science education 1
- Sheffield (England) 1
- Sunderland (Tyne and Wear, England) 1
- Working life 1 + ∧ less
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