Howard Hubert Higgins: authority, writer and lecturer on applied psychology

              HOWARD HUBERT HIGGINS



Authority, Writer and Lecturer on Applied Psychology



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Dieses ist eine gruendliche und umfangreiche Arbeit ueber den Einflusz der lebendigen Rede auf das menschliche Betragen, leserlich geschrieben von einem maszgebenden Fachmann.
—
Vox, Mitteilungen aus dem Phonetischen Laboratorium der Universitaet Hamburg.




The psychological discussions are clear and enlightening, and these are united with the problems of speech, both by direct example and vivid illustration.
—
The Curtain, London, England.




In his treatment of the psychological technic the author seems to be at his best, and gives us a book which presents so graphically certain psychological principles underlying successful public speaking …  The author's style is … generally forceful and clear.  Professor Higgins has made apt use of illustrations.
—
American Speech.




This is the way that speech should be presented, psychologically and sociologically.
—
Henry Goddard Leach, Editor of The Forum.






As A Writer …



This interesting volume is indicative of the strides Americans are making in applying psychology to the problems that confront them in their individual and national social and political life.
Certainly one of the most provocative and stimulating books on speech we have reviewed either from an American or a Continental author.  There is material here of prime consideration to the sociologist, the psychologist and to the political economist.  Speech, it would appear after reading this book, is no longer in its swaddling clothes, but has become a definite division of the social sciences, and as such must be reckoned with in the future.
—
Vox, Mitteilungen aus dem Phonetischen Laboratorium der Universitaet Hamburg, Deutschland.



To say that it is interestingly written is altogether too mild.  It reads like Dr. Harry Overstreet in play and dance of ideas, and has a spontaneity which would do Dr. Woolbert credit.  It is literally true that you may open the book at random at any page and your attention and interest will be gripped and held as you start to read.
It is profuse with illustrations—concrete, apt, telling—from all phases of contemporary life.  In the copiousness of relevant illustrations one is reminded of Charles Spurgeon's book, 
The Art of Illustration.
—
W. Arthur Cable, University of Arizona, President of Western Association of Teachers of Speech.




I picked up 
Influencing Behavior Through Speech
 just to glance at it hurriedly and read a chapter and a half before I could put it down.  I am calling the attention of our department of speech to it.
—
R. M. Hughes, President of Iowa State College.




It is the most logical, the most helpful and the most interesting book I have ever read upon that subject.  In the first place it is very human … In the next place it is well and logically arranged, beginning as it should with the psychology of the audience.  Then it is thoroughly original, although it shows the effect of a large amount of reading …  I am not a school man and should not judge in that category, yet it seems to me to present the most practical course of study in the speech arts which has come under my observation … The book will be of immense help to any one of our professional platform workers
—
Alfred Lyman Flude, Executive Secretary of The International Lyceum Association, in The Platform World.




He has made this division of the magazine downright valuable and interesting; it has a human quality and a reality.
—
Lew Sarett, American's foremost woodsman-poet, Evanston, Illinois.




Mr. Higgins has performed a great service to teachers and students of speech by his application of the principles of social psychology to the problem of persuasion.  I am equally well pleased with the clearness and understandability of his exposition of what might have been very technical material but for his simple treatment and discrimination of selection and use of illustrative material.  Mr. Higgins has produced a text which will rank among the three or four most valuable in the speech field for years to come.
—
H. B. Summers, Kansas State College.




An unusually valuable book to me.
 — 
Lowell Thomas, Daily 
Voice on the Air
 for The Literary Digest, National Broadcasting Company.




He has made speech a vital thing and has taken it out of the usual teaching channels.  I shall have occasion to use it as a reference text in connection with my course in social psychology.
—
Norman C. Meier, Department of Psychology, University of Iowa.




Certainly the first comprehensive treatment of the subject.  I am using it in my classes in persuasion.
—
Leroy T. Lasse, Hastings College.




The book is one which the speech field has long needed … the adequate linking of psychology and speech.
—
Hermine A. Duthie, School of Speech, Syracuse University.




A new approach, new ideas, new viewpoints … the volume is directly helpful to me.
—
Florence D. Mims, Winthrop College.




I find it is the only outstanding text in its field.
—
Harold Fuchs, O. S. B., St. John's University.




The general psychological approach of the book is excellent.  I know of no other text that goes at the material in the same way.
 — 
A. Craig Baird, University of Iowa.





As A Speaker …



Howard Hubert Higgins is somewhat different from the usual institute lecturer … more original … less bound by tradition … would wear well …
—
C. C. Plessinger, Superintendent of Montgomery County Schools, Dayton, Ohio.




Mr. Higgins is a speaker at once interesting and worthwhile.  His talks have a practical slant that gives them permanent value.
—
W. P. Sandford, Head of the Division of Public Speaking, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.




While in Vienna this spring Dr. Stinchfield (noted speech pathologist) read me parts of letters from two mutual friends who had attended the Eastern Public Speaking Conference at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, this spring.  Both of them said that the address by Howard Hubert Higgins was undoubtedly the outstanding feature of the Conference and that they had been greatly impressed by his ideas.
—
Martin Luther, President of The Expression Company, Publishers, Boston, Massachusetts.




In his two lectures at our County Institute this fall Mr. Higgins proved himself to be both an interesting and a worthwhile speaker.  Everyone commented on him favorably and many have asked for his return.
—
Carl Manrod, Superintendent of Jefferson County Schools, Steubenville, Ohio.




Mr. Higgins brought an exceedingly practical message in an exceedingly effective way.
—
Harry Clinton Gossard, President of New Mexico Normal University, Las Vegas, New Mexico.




Mr. Higgins was both forceful and entertaining as he presented a truly practical and worthwhile message to our commencement audience.  His message was well received by all present
—
Charles E. Guntle Superintendent of the Johnsville — New Lebanon Schools, New Lebanon, Ohio.




Howard Hubert Higgins has a unique way of gripping his audiences and he challenges their thought as do few public speakers of today.  His lecture, 
Are We Born This Way?
, was filled with humor and witticisms but unlike so many lectures was a profound biological and psychological discussion.  We wish that there were many other speakers today that would challenge the public to think along such vital matters.
—
S. H. Pollock, Superintendent, Muskingum Valley (Independent) Chaautauqua, McConnelsville, Ohio.




It is seldom that I have heard a lecture that appealed to young and old alike as did this lecture by Professor Higgins.  In some parts of the lecture the thought was so searching that everyone seemed to be giving himself thorough self-examination.  In other parts the humor was so compelling that all were convulsed with laughter.  Professor Higgins has rare ability as a story teller.
—
J. A. Briggs, Superintendent of Schools, Hillsdale, Wyoming.




In his address before our State Association, Mr. Higgins showed himself to be a most entertaining and forceful speaker.  He displayed a keen insight into human nature and clearly represented the modern trend in the field of speech.
—
D. E. Bowen, Instructor of Public Speaking, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.




Professor Howard H. Higgins was both highly pleasing and instructive to the teachers of our County Institute.
—
A. F. Ptak, Superintendent of Paulding County Schools, Paulding, Ohio.




Mr. Higgins proved to be a most able speaker.  His pleasing personality and forceful delivery got him the attention of the audience right at the beginning.  His lectures were entertaining and instructive and persuasive.
—
Earl D. Hay, Professor of Engineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas.




The lecture (Pinched) was a forceful, awakening discussion of ugly facts but it was so spiced with natural humor and keen wit that the listeners did not become depressed.  All the while the speaker held his audience tenaciously, consciously to the subject, driving home a real message to the ordinary folk who constitute the ordinary audience.
—
W. L. French, District Superintendent, Methodist Episcopal Church, Sheridan, Wyoming.






Howard Hubert Higgins



Is the author of these books:




Influencing Behavior Through Speech
, the most widely used university textbook on the psychology of public speaking.  Used by outstanding colleges and universities from such eastern schools as the University of Maine, Boston, Harvard, Amherst and Rutgers to such western schools as the University of Idaho, Oregon State, University of Nevada, University of Southern California, College of the Pacific, University of Hawaii and the University of the Phillippines; and from such northern schools as the University of Toronto, the University of Wisconsin, and the University of Minnesota to the University of Mississippi and the University of Florida.




Glimpses of the Public Mind
 (co-author with Dr. J. Stanley Gray, of the Psychology Department, University of Pittsburgh), a history of the popular lecture in the United States and a compilation of the best popular lectures of thirty-two of the outstanding, living popular lecturers such such as Will Durant, Glenn Frank, Lorado Taft, Strickland Gillilan, Ruth Bryan Owen, and others.




Speech Reports
, a booklet designed to give students of public speaking a record and criticism of their speech-making.




Speaking that Influenced our Forefathers
, a scholarly treatise on the elements of persuasion used by early American speakers.




Is the Educational Editor of 
The Platform World
, official organ of the international lyceum movement and devoted to the interests of both the professional and educational platform worlds.




Is Associate Professor of Speech at Miami University.




Is an effective speaker for teachers' institutes, commencements, university assemblies, lyceums, luncheon clubs, forum and study organizations.




Gives addresses that are intensely interesting, scientifically accurate and up-to-date, and practical.  His talks are profuse with illustrations—concrete, apt, telling—from all phases of contemporary life.




Adapts his talks to the audience.  His lectures are not 
set
—they are modified in nature, content and length to suit the audience and the occasion.  An open forum following any address may be arranged whenever desired.




Is available at times for lecture engagements on terms not too inexpensive for worthwhile addresses effectively and attractively presented.





Lecture Subjects



Are We Born This Way?
 is a scientifically accurate and popularly presented address on the psychological and physiological bases of human nature.  As time and circumstances warrant such topics are discussed as the mental equipment at birth; the adoption of the children of criminals or of unknown parents; the modifications in adult behavior of inherited neural pathways; causes of criminality and possible, practicable remedies; causes of adult ideas, prejudices and intolerance; the psychology of keeping up with the Jonses; unsuccessful and successful methods of reacting to life's difficulties.  Scholarly, practical, intensely interesting; entertaining without making entertainment its purpose.




Basic Traits of the Educated Man
 is an inspirational address without cant and inane platitudes.  It stresses four of the essential traits of a truly educated man.  Its serious, thought-provoking points are impressed in a vivid manner that brings laughter and tears—mostly laughter.  It was originally prepared for commencement occasions but has been received with enthusiasm by many types of audiences. Ideal for both commencements and for teachers' associations and institutes.




Influencing Behavior Through Speech
 discusses the psychology of persuasion.  The principles of effective persuasion are applied to the interests of the group for which the address is given.  Specific methods are demonstrated for getting interest, confidence and action.  Humorous; human; helpful in its practical applications.




The Ideal Teacher
 discusses the psychology of effective teaching under the practical difficulties which face the usual teacher.  It avoids the commonplaces and the glittering generalities on the subject in order to stress workable techniques for effective teaching.  It is both inspirational and informational.  A great favorite with teachers' institutes and teachers colleges.




Pinched, Tolerance, Appreciation, Tests for Christians
 Interesting talks which avoid generalities and insipid, baneful platitudes.