Pavlov: Psychology Reaches for a Nobel [Part 2]

Psychology has however, through Ivan Pavlov, wedged its way into a share of the limelight. In 1904, Pavlov was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine (it's one category) with the motivation "in recognition of his work on the physiology of digestion, through which knowledge on vital aspects of the subject has been transformed and enlarged". Although he received the award for his physiological work, it was while investigating the digestive system that he made an important discovery for the science of psychology. [Read more about Ivan Pavlov and Classical Conditioning at http://www.sntp.net/behaviorism/pavlov.htm]

It was in 1904 that the Nobel Committee first saw a trace of a psychologist in the Concert Hall. Since then, only one other psychologist has stepped foot on the Concert Hall's podium: Daniel Kahneman. Kahneman, a psychologist studying mainly cognitive psychology, judgement and decision-making, and hedonic psychology, won the award for economics. That was in 2002, meaning that in 109 years, only two psychologists have been awarded the Nobel Prize. (The definition of psychologist is ambiguous, however, leaving many to hover between categories.)

Today, a Nobel Prize is not an award psychologists can realistically hope to receive, despite new, fundamental discoveries. There is no specific category in which to fit psychology, and therefore no one in the committee to search for these scientists. If this will change in the future, one cannot say, but Pavlov took the first step in that direction.

Pavlov: Psychology Reaches for a Nobel [Part 1]

Time is undefinable inside the Stockholm Concert Hall on the 10th of December - Viking-style tables stretch across the room, seating hundreds upon hundreds of polite, laughing ladies and gentlemen dressed as if attending a yearly ball in the 1800's, making small-talk while they await the king to present the prizes for new technology. This is the Nobel Prize, congratulations, you made it.

The Nobel Prize is awarded in December each year for major achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace. It has been this way since 1901, with little change but for an occasional darker or lighter nuance in the carpet, or another teaspoon of sugar in the dessert. Is this a tradition worth rendering with, or shall the mindset of the early 20th century keep the Nobel Prize in its grasp?

Many of these guests, their families, and their acquaintances have probably suffered from one of the following: racism, obesity, poverty, unstable family life, or even regular illnesses. Many have also been cured, helped, and brought out of their unfortunate position. Much of this with the help of a forgotten topic: psychology.

Psychology is not a subject one can win a Nobel Prize for. Psychologists are not among the laughing crowd surrounding the vast tables. Although they research, analyze, and strive to solve our most reoccurring problems, they receive only an ounce of the recognition shown towards other areas of expertise.

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