Basic and Applied Psychology

Author: Hugo Münsterberg
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-01-01
Features: Psychology as a science is relatively young, but its origins can be traced back to the early stages of human thought. Before the 18th century, psychological ideas were scattered among the writings of ancient Greek and Chinese philosophers, functional psychologists in Islam and Christianity, and mechanists during the Scientific Revolution. By the 18th and 19th centuries, building on previous research, several major theories and practices, including associationism, naturalism, empiricism, evolutionism, research on the scientific margins, and experimental physiology, accelerated the differentiation of psychology from philosophy, providing the foundation for psychology to become an independent discipline. However, the true development of psychological science occurred in the 20th century. Reviewing the achievements of psychological science over this century not only helps people understand its own position and role, offering a comparative benchmark for today's research, but also provides historical experience and lessons for the basic direction of psychological science in the 21st century, promoting healthier development. The purpose of publishing "A Comprehensive Overview of 20th Century Psychology" is precisely for this reason.