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387 BCE
387 BC
387 BC Plato suggested that the brain is the mechanism of mental processes. -
335 BCE
335 BC
BC Aristotle suggested that the heart is the mechanism of mental processes. -
1774
Franz Mesmer detailed his cure for some mental illness, originally called mesmerism and now known as hypnosis. -
1793
Philippe Pinel released the first mental patients from confinement in the first massive movement for more humane treatment of the mentally ill. -
1793
Philippe Pinel released the first mental patients from confinement in the first massive movement for more humane treatment of the mentally ill. -
1834
Ernst Heinrich Weber published his perception theory of ‘Just Noticeable DIfference,’ now known as Weber’s Law. -
1848
Phineas Gage suffered brain damage when an iron pole pierces his brain. His personality was changed but his intellect remained intact suggesting that an area of the brain plays a role in personality. -
1859
Charles Darwin published the On the Origin of Species, detailing his view of evolution and expanding on the theory of ‘Survival of the fittest.’ -
1861
French physician Paul Broca discovered an area in the left frontal lobe that plays a key role in language development. -
1879
Wilhelm Wundt founded the first formal laboratory of Psychology at the University of Leipzig, marking the formal beginning of the study of human emotions, behaviors, and cognitions. -
1886
Sigmund Freud began performing therapy in Vienna, marking the beginning of personality theory. -
1883
The first laboratory of psychology in America is established at Johns Hopkins University. -
1885
Herman Ebbinghaus introduced the nonsense syllable as a means to study memory processes. -
1890
The term “Mental Tests” was coined by James Cattell, beginning the specialization in psychology now known as psychological assessment. -
1892
Foundation of the American Psychological Association (APA) headed by G. Stanley Hall, with an initial membership of 42. -
1895
Alfred Binet founded the first laboratory of psychodiagnosis. -
1896
Writings by John Dewey began the school of thought known as functionalism. -
1898
Edward Thorndike developed the ‘Law of Effect,’ arguing that “a stimulus-response chain is strengthened if the outcome of that chain is positive.” -
1900
Sigmund Freud published ‘Interpretation of Dreams’ marking the beginning of Psychoanalytic Thought. -
1901
The British Psychological Society was founded.