-
Birth
Craik went to school in Edinburgh Academy and Edinburg University, where one of his professors referred to him as “genius”. He expressed his passion in psychology. (Zangwill, 1) -
Period: to
Kenneth Craik's Lifespan
-
Visual Adaptation Experiment
Craik’s passion in making tools in Cambridge Psychological Laboratory and visual philosophy led him to build an equipment that can test the human eye’s adaptation to different light settings. He concluded that the eye is sensitive to quick change in illumination or if the brightness is set on a certain range. This experiment led to his next research on pressure blindness and later performed multiple experiment on himself. (Zangwill 4) -
Craik received his PhD
Craik received his PhD at Cambridge University (Barlett). This was around the same time as the war in Europe. Since he was not able to serve the military, he dedicate his time as an applied research scientist (Zangwill, 2) -
The Nature of Explanation (Key Event)
Craik writes about his knowledge in psychology and its connection to philosophy. He starts his book by elaborating on philosophy of perception and goes on to explain how the human mind is a “calculating machine. He claims that the thought that goes around the human brain is impacted by observing external events. He also discussed "mental model" and suggests different experiments that supports his theory. This is the only book that Craik published in full length. (Craik) -
Appointed as director
Craik was appointed as the first director of Applied Psychology by the Medical Research Council (Barlett). -
Death
Craik in a bicycling accident when he was 31 years old (Zangwill 2). -
The Nature of Psychology
Editor Stephen Sherwood compiles Craik’s selection of essay in this book. It analyzes the mechanisms of human action and elaborate on its different levels. The introduction briefly explains how psychology and philosophy goes hand in hand. (Craik and Sherwood) -
Video about Kenneth Craik's "Mental Model" theory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=66&v=8-txtqoGqoI
In this video, Ross Dawson, a keynote speaker/futurist, briefly discussed Craik’s mental model. -
Works Cited
Barlett, F.C "Dr. K.J.W. Craik [obituary]", Nature 155: 720. 1945. Web.
Craik, Kenneth. The Nature of Explanation. Cambridge University Press, 1943.Print
Craik, Kenneth J.W., and Stephen L. Sherwood. The Nature of Psychology: A Selection of Papers, Essays and Other Writings. Cambridge University Press, 1966. Print
Zangwill, O. L. “Kenneth Craik: The Man and His Work *.” British Journal of Psychology 71.1 (1980): 1–16. Web.
