Pelmanism (system)
Encyclopedia
Pelmanism was a system of training the mind which was popular in the United Kingdom
during the first half of the twentieth century.
Originally devised as a memory system in the 1890s by William Joseph Ennever, the system was taught via correspondence
from the Pelman Institute in London. It was advertised as a system of scientific mental training which strengthened and developed your mind just as physical training strengthened your body. It was developed to expand "Mental Powers in every direction" and "remove those tendencies to indolence and inefficiency".
The system promised to cure a range of problems such as forgetfulness, depression
, phobia
, procrastination
, and "Lack of System".
Pelmanism was practiced and promoted by former British prime minister Herbert Asquith, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement, novelist Rider Haggard, playwright Jerome K. Jerome
, and composer Ethel Smyth
as well as thousands of less famous Britons.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
during the first half of the twentieth century.
Originally devised as a memory system in the 1890s by William Joseph Ennever, the system was taught via correspondence
Distance education
Distance education or distance learning is a field of education that focuses on teaching methods and technology with the aim of delivering teaching, often on an individual basis, to students who are not physically present in a traditional educational setting such as a classroom...
from the Pelman Institute in London. It was advertised as a system of scientific mental training which strengthened and developed your mind just as physical training strengthened your body. It was developed to expand "Mental Powers in every direction" and "remove those tendencies to indolence and inefficiency".
The system promised to cure a range of problems such as forgetfulness, depression
Depression (mood)
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person's thoughts, behaviour, feelings and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, or restless...
, phobia
Phobia
A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer commits to great lengths in avoiding, typically disproportional to the actual danger posed, often being recognized as irrational...
, procrastination
Procrastination
In psychology, procrastination refers to the act of replacing high-priority actions with tasks of low-priority, and thus putting off important tasks to a later time...
, and "Lack of System".
Pelmanism was practiced and promoted by former British prime minister Herbert Asquith, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement, novelist Rider Haggard, playwright Jerome K. Jerome
Jerome K. Jerome
Jerome Klapka Jerome was an English writer and humorist, best known for the humorous travelogue Three Men in a Boat.Jerome was born in Caldmore, Walsall, England, and was brought up in poverty in London...
, and composer Ethel Smyth
Ethel Smyth
Dame Ethel Mary Smyth, DBE was an English composer and a leader of the women's suffrage movement.- Early career :...
as well as thousands of less famous Britons.