It's important to know about the history of psychology because as with any other discipline, it didn't develop in a vacuum, so it's useful to have some knowledge of the individuals and the schools of thought that helped shape its identity. As Duane & Sydney Schultz eloquently point out:
"Only by exploring psychology's origins and studying its development can we see clearly the nature of psychology today. Knowledge of history brings order to disorder and imposes meaning on what appears to be chaos, putting the past into perspective to explain the present."
They also add that the history of psychology is a fascinating story on its own, offering drama, tragedy, heroism, revolution and its share of sex and drugs. Now if that doesn't make you want to find out more about the history of psychology, them I don't know what will!
The Aim of This Page is to point the reader in the direction of the best online resources relating to the history of psychology. Eventually, there will also be custom built web pages that can be accessed via this page which will document the most influential movements and schools of thought to develop within psychology; as well as information relating to the life and writing of the most influential psychologists the discipline has produced.
Learn About The History of Psychology
This Week in The History of Psychology
This excellent podcast show hosted by Christopher D. Green, Professor of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada should be the first port of call for anybody wanting to find out more about the history of psychology. You can listen to over thirty fascinating broadcasts, for example, Click Here to listen to an interview with Professor David Robinson on the founder of experimental psychology Wilhelm Wundt.
You can access all the podcast broadcasts by Clicking Here.
Classics in The History of Psychology
Another outstanding resource courtesy of Christopher D. Green, Professor of Psychology, York University, Toronto, Canada. As professor Green notes:"Classics in the History of Psychology is an effort to make the full texts of a large number of historically significant public domain documents from the scholarly literature of psychology and allied disciplines available on the World Wide Web. There are now over 25 books and about 200 articles and chapters on-line. The site also contains links to over 200 relevant works posted at other sites."
Click Here to visit Classics in The History of Psychology.
Origins of Reaction Time Research in Experimental Psychology
B.F Skinner: Operant Conditioning
Sigmund Freud
A History of Modern Psychology by Duane P. Schultz & Sydney Ellen Schultz
Book Description
A market leader for over 30 years, A History of Modern Psychology has been praised for its comprehensive coverage and biographical approach. Focusing on modern psychology, the text's coverage begins with the late 19th century. The authors personalize the history of psychology not only by using biographical information on influential theorists, but also by showing how major events in those theorists' lives have affected the authors' own ideas, approaches, and methods. Substantial updates in this edition include discussions of evolutionary psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and positive psychology. The result is a text that is as timely and relevant today as it was when it was first introduced.