Phrenology

What is Phrenology?

Phrenology is the study of the structure of the skull to determine a person's character and mental capacity. It is the discipline of diagnosing disease or interpreting personality through the reading of the bumps on the skull. Phrenology is a science based on observation. It is experimental and constructed on an analytical-synthetic base.

Starting from the measurements made on a subject's skull, it is possible to state which character faculties are more or less developed. The combination of these faculties yields an overview of the subject's character and personality. These are the innate propensities of the subject, the real foundations of the personality, which may be adjusted but not changed by external factors like environment an education.

Where it began

The idea began in the 18th century as a legitimate neurological and physiological theory. At that time there was a controversy among neuroscientists as to whether the different functions of the brain, such as memory, language, emotion, the ability to recognise faces, perform calculations, appreciate music, etc., were all represented diffusely throughout the brain or if different parts of the brain were dedicated to specific functions. However, it was entirely satisfactory to assume that the geography of the skull was directly related to actual parts and functions of the brain itself.

From its beginnings as a social activity in Britain, phrenology attracted the enthusiastic and the arrogant. Such persons found "one of the most valuable discoveries that ever graced the annals of philosophy" to be just the thing for them to enter the burgeoning world of scientific societies. Furthermore, one could enter that world at the head. Many of these early phrenologists were political and social reformers and a few were ultra radicals - and many of the histories of phrenology describe phrenology as a reformist or radical science. However, phrenology was also of interest to many who were not intent on bringing about social or political change

Does it have any value today?

There is plenty of criticism against Phrenology going back to when it was first used. However, there have been plenty of psychologists and there still are, who recognise the values that Phrenology has but too often have to work in secret or risk being ostracised by colleagues.

Some errors in the diagnosis may occur. They can be attributed to the following causes, which can easily be recognised:

Subjective causes of error; due to errors in the Phrenological interpretation of the skull

Incorrect or incomplete examination of the skull (for example when the observer is misled by the subject's hairstyle)
Insufficient attention for the interaction between faculties. This is a very common cause of errors. It is not correct to make a judgment on one single faculty; the interaction of other faculties must always be taken into account. Example: a strong Destructiveness does not in itself stand for a violent, aggressive person; a strong development of Moral faculties may lead this person's dynamic forces towards higher aspirations.

Objective causes of error. These are disorders in the brain of the skull that distort normal development of the brain.

Pathological deformation of skull
Brain damage
Major psychological disorders
Drug addiction leading to brain disorders

It would be wrong to reject Phrenology as such, without first assessing the value of the science. The Phrenological analysis of personality remains of incomparable value to assess the character.

In conclusion, Phrenology has its place in modern times and it can be of benefit for those willing to work with it. It is not unlike spiritualism in its nature in that until you have experienced a positive event with it then you are unlikely to change your view or indeed, have any kind of view as to its worth.