DAY 32

 

History of psychology

Psychology emerged as a field of experimental study in 1854 in Leipzig, Germany, when Gustav Fechner formulated the first theory concerning how judgments regarding sensory experiences are made and how to conduct experiments on them. This theory, now known as Signal Detection Theory, set the stage for the development of statistical theories of comparative judgment and inspired countless experiments based on his concepts (Link, S. W. Psychological Science, 1995).

In 1879, Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychological laboratory dedicated solely to psychological research in Leipzig, Germany. He was also the first individual to refer to himself as a psychologist. A notable predecessor to Wundt was Ferdinand Ueberwasser (1752–1812), who assumed the title of Professor of Empirical Psychology and Logic in 1783 and delivered lectures on empirical psychology at the Old University of Münster, Germany.

Other significant early contributors to the field included Hermann Ebbinghaus, a pioneer in memory research; William James, often regarded as the American father of pragmatism; and Ivan Pavlov, known for his work on classical conditioning.

As experimental psychology developed, various forms of applied psychology began to take shape. G. Stanley Hall introduced scientific pedagogy to the United States from Germany in the early 1880s, while John Dewey’s educational theory from the 1890s provided another example. During the same decade, Hugo Münsterberg began exploring the practical applications of psychology in industry, law, and other areas. Lightner Witmer founded the first psychological clinic in the 1890s, and James McKeen Cattell adapted Francis Galton’s anthropometric methods to create the first mental testing program in that same period. Meanwhile, in Vienna, Sigmund Freud independently developed the approach known as psychoanalysis, which became a highly influential theory in psychology.