Biography and scientific activity. Karl Pearson. Biography and scientific activities of Karl May Karl May

In 1911 he founded the world's first university department of statistics at University College London. Actively studied eugenics; known as the mentee and biographer of Francis Galton.

Karl was born into the family of William Pearson and Fanny Smith. William read a law course in Edinburgh and was a fairly successful barrister and employee of the Queen's Counsel; Fanny came from a clan of sailors.

In 1897, Pearson entered the University of Heidelberg; At the same time he changed his name from “Carl” to “Karl”. For some time he used both spellings, after which he finally settled on the second. Some are inclined to believe that he chose the more "German" form of his name Pearson in honor of Karl Marx; however, there is no exact evidence for this theory.

Karl actively studied history and German studies. He spent most of the 1980s in Berlin, Heidelberg, Vienna and Brixlegg. He was interested in religion and poetry - he studied Goethe and the Holy Scriptures with equal interest. Pearson was also interested in gender issues - he even founded the Men and Women's Club.

In 1890, Karl married Maria Sharpe; his wife came from a fairly well-known London clan of nonconformists. Through her, Pearson managed to become related in some way to the poet Samuel Rogers, lawyer Sutton Sharpe, Egyptologist and philanthropist Samuel Sharpe and church minister John Kenrick.

Karl and Maria had three children - daughters Sigrid Loetitia Pearson and Helga Sharpe Pearson and son Egon Sharpe Pearson. Egon, by the way, later followed in his father’s footsteps - he took part in the proof of the Neyman-Pearson lemma.

After finishing his studies at University College London, Pearson moved to Cambridge, where he concentrated on studying mathematics. Next came his studies in Germany - there Pearson took a course in physics and a course in metaphysics at the University of Heidelberg and a course on Darwin's theory at the University of Berlin. Charles's interests also included Roman law, medieval literature and the theory of socialism.

Returning to England, Pearson went to Cambridge; there he studied engineering for some time.

Later, in his first book, “The New Werther,” Karl admitted that at that moment world science simply overwhelmed him; he could not give up his studies, because he was unable to consider any natural or humanitarian subject unnecessary.

Having moved to London, Pearson began studying law - he decided to follow in his father's footsteps and open his own practice. For some time he lectured in this area, but never began to practice. Soon he was again fascinated by mathematics.

In 1819, Karl met Walter Frank Raphael Weldon; he, a zoologist, clearly needed the help of a qualified specialist in quantitative methods. Their cooperation turned out to be very, very fruitful; it was interrupted only by the death of Weldon. It was Weldon who introduced Pearson to Francis Galton; Having already talked with Galton, Karl became seriously interested in the issues of eugenics and heredity.

Pearson continued to study science until his death - even after his retirement. Karl died in 1936.

(1857-1936) - English mathematician and biologist, positivist philosopher. Creator of assessment and measurement methods in biology and psychology. Considered one of the fathers of modern statistics. Professor applied mathematics and mechanics (1884-1911), and then eugenics (1911-1933) at the University of London. Emeritus Professor, Professor of Geometry, Gresham College (1891 - 1894). Member Royal Society (1896). Poch. Dr. University of England. Awarded the Darwin Medal by the Royal Society (1898); Huxley Medal of the Anthropological Institute (1903). Founder and publisher of Biometrika magazine. He received his mathematical education at the University of Cambridge (BA, 1879; LL.B., 1881; MA, 1882). Scientific professional activity began with the development and application of statistical methods in biology, since he was interested in the problems of heredity, eugenics, and Darwin's theory of evolution. P. shared the views of such philosophers as D. Hume and E. Mach on causality as a conjugate variation (correlation) and proposed a mathematical formulation of the idea of ​​correlation, which F. Galton himself thought about. The result was the widely known correlation coefficient P. In addition, P. developed the nonparametric coefficient d-squared. Both coefficients have been widely used in psychological research and made significant contributions to the development of multivariate statistical methods in biology and psychology. P.'s ideas were published in a series of 19 books under the title Mathematical contributions to the theory of evolution (1893-1912). Continuing the research of F. Galton, P., along with him, was the founder of biometrics, heading the Biometric Laboratory (1891 - 1894). Discussed with William Bateson about the nature of evolution and its measurement, defended the biometric approach, emphasizing the importance of continuous change as the basic material natural selection. W. Bateson worked in line with the ideas of the Czech plant geneticist G. Mendel (whose work was rediscovered in 1900) and attached primary importance to discrete changes and the study of reproduction, like better way to understanding the mechanisms of evolution. From 1903 to 1933, P. headed Francis Galton's laboratory for studying the problems of national eugenics. After Weldon's death (1906), he began to devote less time to debates about biometrics and was actively involved in the development of statistics as separate science. P.'s main works: The Grammar of Science, 1892 (in Russian translation: Grammar of Science, 1911); Mathematical Contributions to the Theory of Evolution, 19 papers in the series. 1894-1916; The Life, Letters and Labors about f Francis Galton (3 vols), 1914-1930. L.A. Karpenko

Born in 1857. Educated at King's College, Cambridge. In 1884, when he was 27 years old, he received the chair of applied mathematics at University College London. From the beginning of 1890, he was actively interested in the works of Francis Galton, who at that time sought to find patterns in the manifestation of biological characteristics in different generations. In 1930 he published the book “The Life, Letters and Works of Francis Galton.” He made significant contributions to mathematical statistics. The statistical procedures he developed (correlation coefficient, regression analysis, standard deviation, etc.) are widely used in psychodiagnostics. Died 1936

news In 1884, F. Galton published an article “Measuring Character,” in which he noted the need to study not only the mind, but also other mental properties: “I consider it abnormal that the art of measuring mental properties has reached high development, while studies of other properties are little developed or simply not considered” 1.

To measure character, which, according to F. Galton, has “something definite and lasting,” i.e., a certain constancy, it is proposed to use a sphygmograph, a Mosso apparatus for determining blood pressure, and other devices. An accurate measurement of character is provided by “the statistics of each person’s behavior in small daily affairs.” F. Galton's research in this direction, although incomplete, stimulated the development of tools for measuring non-cognitive personality traits.

Among other things, F. Galton, while studying “associations of ideas,” found himself at the origins of the projective technique for diagnosing personality (for more details, see Chapter 6). In 1878 in Nineteenth Century, and next year - in Brain F. Galton published the results of his association experiments and expressed what turned out to be prophetic thoughts: “My method is to allow the mind to play freely for a short period of time until a couple or so thoughts have passed through it, and then until the traces or the echo of these thoughts still lingers in the brain, return attention to them, immediately and completely re-awakening them; apprehend, examine them, and accurately record their occurrence.”

The scientist's first experiment was carried out during a long walk. He established that this period At that time, 300 different objects attracted his attention (although he did not allow himself to “fantasize”). F. Galton writes that he managed only in the most “vague” way to collect those numerous “thoughts” that “passed” in his mind. Fragments of his entire life, many past events, passed before him. A few days later the experiment was repeated. The variety of thoughts was also great, but many of them were repeated. A crucial experiment is undertaken to test the nature of the associations and the frequency of their repetition. A list of 75 words was compiled. One after another, F. Galton read these words and waited, recording time with a chronometer, until two thoughts associated with one word or another appeared. The second association always came from the experimental word, and not from the first association it evoked. This

1 Galton Fr. Measurement of Character // Fortnightly Review for August. 1884. V. 34. P. 179-185.

the experiment was repeated four times with an interval of one month. In total, the researcher recorded 505 “associated ideas”, their formation took 560 seconds, on average there were about 46 per minute, 29 thoughts were repeated in 4 experiments, 36 in three, 57 in two, 107 in only one experiment. As a result, F. Galton comes to the following conclusions:

F the frequency of repeated associations is much higher than expected: “The spirit constantly travels along familiar roads, but the memory does not retain the impressions of these excursions”;

Associations are deeply individual: “It is measurably visible how impossible it is for two adults to bring their minds together to complete agreement”;

* the most persistent early associations are those associated with childhood;

F associations are extremely important for the study of personality: “It would be very instructive to publish detailed reports. In these reports, with the greatest completeness and truth, the very origins of such thoughts of an individual would be revealed, which he would hardly want to reveal publicly”;

F associations are closely connected with unconscious processes: “They (the experiments of F. Galton. - L.B.) are an important argument in favor of the existence of deeper levels of mental operations, deeply buried under the layer of consciousness; these operations help to understand mental phenomena that cannot be explained in any other way.”

F. Galton, fascinated by many other problems (from meteorology to eugenics), later did not return to the study of associations. And yet, it was he who had the priority of creating the prototype of that technique of personality research, which a quarter of a century later would be revived by C. Jung and M. Wertheimer, and another 35 years later would be called projective.

Thus, the works of the great Englishman played a decisive role in the formation and formation English school the study of intelligence, his pioneering research created the prerequisites for the emergence of personality tests. Modern psychodiagnostics is based on the ideas and works of Francis Galton, whose life slogan was the words: “Count everything you can count!”

1.2.2. Mental tests by J. Cattell

F. Galton's research and tests attracted the attention of psychologists different countries, he had students and followers. One of the most famous adherents of Galton's ideas and methods of measuring individual differences was the American scientist James McKeen Cattell.

Having become disillusioned with Wundt's experimental psychology, which was characterized by a rejection of the problem of individual differences, J. Cattell, largely thanks to F. Galton, turned from studying reaction time to the measurement of the mind 1 . After visiting F. Galton and returning to the United States, he is actively involved in promoting tests.

1 The doctrine of individual psychology was absent in W. Wundt’s system, since any experimental psychology was also understood as individual.

- (1857–1936) English mathematician and biologist. In order to test Darwin's theory, he developed a statistical apparatus that has become widespread in psychology, in particular in calculating the correlation coefficient between various variables (see... ...

Karl Pearson (March 27, 1857, London, April 27, 1936, ibid.), English mathematician, biologist, positivist philosopher. Professor of applied mathematics and mechanics (from 1884), and then eugenics (from 1911) at the University of London. F. continued research... ...

- (1857 1936). Pearson made contributions to the biological, behavioral and social sciences. His applications of mathematical and statistical methods take pride of place among the great scientific achievements … Psychological Encyclopedia

PEARSON- Karl (Karl Pearson) (born in 1857), English mathematician and philosopher, one of the leaders of English eugenics. Together with Galton (q.v.), he was the founder of that department in biology, which is called biometrics (q.v.) and which applies methods... ... Great Medical Encyclopedia

The following personalities are known by the surname "Pearson" (English: Pearson): Pearson, Allard (1831 1896) Dutch writer. Pearson, Henry Hugh (1816 1873) English composer. Pearson, Henry Shepherd (1775 1840) British... ... Wikipedia

- (Pearson), Karl (Charles) (March 27, 1857 - April 17, 1936) - English. positivist philosopher, mathematician and biologist. Studied in Cambridge, Heidelberg and Berlin. Since 1884 – prof. mathematics, and then eugenics at the University of London. According to philosophy views - subjective... ... Philosophical Encyclopedia

- (1857, London 1936) English statistician. Made a significant contribution to the dissemination of methods of statistical analysis in the field of biology and psychology. Conducted extensive computational work on the analysis of various vital problems (tuberculosis,... ... Psychological Dictionary

Pearson Carl- (03/27/1857, London 04/17/1936) English positivist philosopher, statistician. Biography. Educated in Cambridge, Heidelberg and Berlin. Since 1884, professor of mathematics, then eugenics at the University of London. Research. Continuing... ... Great psychological encyclopedia

I Karl Pearson (March 27, 1857, London, April 27, 1936, ibid.), English mathematician, biologist, positivist philosopher. Professor of applied mathematics and mechanics (from 1884), and then eugenics (from 1911) at the University of London. Continued... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

PEARSON- (Pearson) Karl (1857 1936) English mathematician and biologist, positivist philosopher. Creator of assessment and measurement methods in biology and psychology. Considered one of the fathers of modern statistics. Professor of applied mathematics and mechanics (1884 1911), and ... encyclopedic Dictionary in psychology and pedagogy

Born into the family of a successful London lawyer. Graduated from Cambridge University in 1875. Then he studied physics at the Universities of Heidelberg and Berlin. From 1884 to 1911 - Professor of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics at the University of London, from 1911 - Director of the Eugenics Laboratory at the University of London, Emeritus Professor.

In 1896 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1898 he was awarded the Darwin Medal. In 1900 he founded the journal Biometrika, dedicated to the application of statistical methods in biology.

Published fundamental works on mathematical statistics (more than 400 papers). Developed correlation theory, agreement criteria, decision-making algorithms and parameter estimation. His name is associated with such widely used terms and methods as:

• The coefficient of variation
• Pearson correlation coefficient and correlation analysis
• Normal distribution
• Pearson distribution
• Multiple regression
• Pearson curves
• Rank correlation
• Pearson goodness-of-fit test (chi-square test)

and many others.

Pearson put a lot of effort into applying his discoveries in applied fields, primarily in biology, eugenics, and medicine. A number of works relate to philosophy and the history of science. A prominent successor of his work on applied mathematical statistics was Ronald Aylmer Fisher.

Proceedings

• The life, letters and labors of Francis Galton(3 vols.: 1914, 1924, 1930).
• Regression, heredity and panmixia (1896)
• Skew variation in homogeneous material (1895)
• The Grammar of Science(1892), Dover Publications 2004 edition, ISBN 0-486-49581-7. Russian translation: Pearson K. Grammar of Science. St. Petersburg: Rosehip, 1911.
• Tables for Statisticians and Biometricians (1914)
• The Trinity, A Nineteenth Century Passion Play (1882)
• On the dissection of asymmetrical frequency curves (1894)
• Tables of Incomplete Beta Function(1934). Russian translation: Pearson K. Tables of incomplete G-function. M.: Computing Center of the USSR Academy of Sciences, 1974.
• The Ethic of Freethought (1886)
• On the criterion that a given system of deviations from the probable in the case of a correlated system of variables is such that it can be reasonably expected to hove arisen from random sampling (1900)
• Die Fronica (1887)
• The New Werther (1880)