Major Milestones in the History of Psychology

By dtrask10

  • Founding of the First Psychology Lab

    Wilhelm Wundt opens the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, marking the official start of psychology as an experimental science.

  • William James Publishes The Principles of Psychology

    James’ book defines many foundational concepts of modern psychology and introduces functionalism.

  • Freud’s The Interpretation of Dreams

    Sigmund Freud publishes his groundbreaking work on psychoanalysis, introducing the idea of the unconscious mind.

  • John B. Watson Promotes Behaviorism

    Watson delivers his famous lecture “Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It,” arguing that psychology should focus only on observable behavior.

  • Maslow Introduces the Hierarchy of Needs

    Abraham Maslow publishes his theory describing the stages of human motivation, from basic needs to self-actualization.

  • The Cognitive Revolution

    Psychology begins shifting from behaviorism to studying mental processes like memory, perception, and problem-solving.

  • DSM-III Standardizes Mental Health Diagnosis

    The American Psychiatric Association releases the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, bringing consistency to diagnosis.

  • Positive Psychology Movement

    Martin Seligman and others formally establish the positive psychology movement, emphasizing well-being and human potential.

  • Psychology in the Digital Age

    The COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the use of teletherapy and online mental health resources worldwide.