History’s Influence on Modern Psychology
In terms of the
most influential portion of the history of psychology in relation to current
practice, the era consuming the emergence of experimental psychology is highly
regarded. During the greater part of
19th century, from 1820-1920, experimental psychology was developed
and laid the foundation for modern studies, setting numerous standards within
the field. Beginning in Germany and flourishing throughout the United States,
a greater scientific approach emerged.
Pioneers such as Weber, Fechner, Ebbinghaus, Muller, Kulpe, Freud, and
notably the ‘father’ of the movement, Wundt established research, experiments,
techniques, laboratories, schools, and ideologies which led to widespread usage
and applicability within various areas of psychology to date (Goodwin, 2008).
To
begin with, from 1815 to 1871 European and American students ventured to Germany in effort to experience a research and
experimental approach to psychology, particularly in Leipzig
(due south of Berlin). These methods included measurement,
replicability, public data, and controlled tests, which were implemented into
the study of the nervous system and human behavior (Goodwin, 2008). This scientific methodology forged the new
frontier in the field. Prior to these
practices, for centuries dating back to Ancient Greece and Egypt, philosophy,
the study of “wisdom; in actual usage, the knowledge of
phenomena as explained by, and resolved into, causes and reasons, powers and
laws” (Webster, 2011), was the basis for the awareness and speculation of brain
function, dream interpretation, mental imbalance, and inner thoughts or
feelings. Yet with the surfacing of
experimental psychology, laboratory progression expanded and has been imitated
and utilized since. “This new psychology
called for the scientific examination of human conscious experience, using
methods borrowed from experimental physiology and supplemented by new
strategies” (Goodwin, 2008, p. 110).
Although
early studies centered on visual and auditory sensation, Ernst Weber (1795-1878)
concluded that skin sensitivity was a result of the combination of a
psychological and physical process. In
addition, his interests in kinesthesis proved that mental stimuli affect an
individual’s physical reaction or interpretation. These findings (Weber’s Law as it is referred
to at present day) have enabled practitioners to determine mental perceptions
and were the precursors to the formation of psychophysics (Goodwin, 2008).
Furthermore,
Gustav Fechner (1801-1889) appended Weber’s research. His belief in the systematic unification of
the mind and body, with the mind serving as the dominant figure, nurtured the
development of psychophysics. His
methods (still in present use) identified limits, constant stimuli, and adjustments
through the utilization of thresholds.
Fechner’s research fostered scientific methodology as a means of
measuring psychological condition (Goodwin, 2008).
Consequently,
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) constructed modern psychology from the works of Weber
and Fechner. In particular his focal
point consisted of the psychophysical process.
He originated the theory of relating mental occurrences to actual
reactions. He deemed the mind as a
movement rather than a mere immobile form of matter. Researches during this era enabled
practitioners to measure mental capacity and validate psychology as a credible
experimental science (Indiana
University, 2012).
The following
timeline highlights pertinent advancements and expansions relative to the
significance of experimental psychology to modern practices:
-1834 – Weber
published his perception theory entitled Just Noticeable Difference
(Weber’s
Law).
-1859 – Darwin published
On the Origin of Species denoting his
belief in the
survival
of the fittest.
-1869 – Galton
published Hereditary Genius signifying
that intellectual prowess
is
a result of biological occurrences.
-1878 – Hall
is the first American to receive a PhD in psychology and later
founds
the American
Psychological Association (1892).
-1879 – Wundt
founds the world’s first psychology lab at the University of
Leipzig.
-1883 – The first
psychology lab in America
was established at Johns Hopkins
University.
-1885 – Ebbinghaus
provided advancements in the study of memory processes.
-1886 – Freud
commenced the study of personality theory.
-1890 – James
publishes Principles of Psychology
the basis of Functionalism.
-1895 – Binet
establishes the first lab for psychodiagnosis.
-1896 – Clinical
psychology was founded at the University of Pennsylvania.
-1900 – Freud
publishes ‘Interpretation of Dreams’ innovating psychoanalytic
thought.
-1901 – The
British Psychological Society established.
-1905 – Binet’s
Intelligence Test was developed in France. First utilized in the
United States
in 1916.
-1912 – Stern
innovates the measurement for IQ. Wertheimer fosters Gestalt
Psychology.
-1913 – J. E.
Watson cultivates Behavioral Psychology.
-1920 – J. B.
Watson & Raynor publish ‘The Little Albert
Experiments’ proving
that
fear is classically conditioned (All Psych, 2003) (Cherry, 2012).
In summary,
contemporary experimental psychologists work in an array of fields in
educational settings, laboratories, government, private organizations, and
counseling services, in effort to examine cognitive reasoning, behavior,
neuroscience, and personality. Without
the development and standardization of experimental psychology these arenas
would be rendered ineffective and unbeneficial to the field. The contributions of such aforementioned
pioneers in relative context have proved to be vital to present day
practices. To date, experimentation
remains the essential means of examining human behavior (Cherry, 2012).
References:
All Psych
(2003). History of psychology: (387 B.C.
to present). Retrieved March 4, 2012,
Cherry, K.
(2012). What is experimental psychology?
A closer look at the experimental side of
psychology.
Retrieved March 4, 2012, from
Goodwin, C.J.
(2008). A history of modern psychology (3rd ed.). Hoboken, NJ:
Wiley.
Indiana University. Human intelligence. Retrieved March 4, 2012, from
Webster. Philosophy. Retrieved March 4, 2012, from, http://dictionary.webster.us/search.
