Psychology flourished in America during the mid- to late-1800s. William James emerged as one of the major American psychologists during this period and publishing his classic textbook, "The Principles of Psychology," established him as the father of American psychology.
Wilhelm Wundt opened the Institute for Experimental Psychology at the University of Leipzig in Germany in 1879. This was the first laboratory dedicated to psychology, and its opening is usually thought of as the beginning of modern psychology. Indeed, Wundt is often regarded as the father of psychology.
William A. Wilson, Professor of Metaphysics, taught the first psychology class at WVU in 1882 and it was taught regularly thereafter by professors in the School of Metaphysics.
Wilhelm WundtWilhelm Wundt is the man most commonly identified as the father of psychology.
Edward Lee Thorndike"Considered the father of Educational Psychology, Edward Lee Thorndike was devoted throughout his career to understanding the process of learning. His interest in and contribution to our understanding of learning ranged from studies with animals, children, and eventually with adults.
Stanley HallStanley Hall was a psychologist perhaps best known as the first American to earn a Ph. D. in psychology and for becoming the first president of the American Psychological Association.
The first doctorate in psychology is given to Joseph Jastrow, a student of G. Stanley Hall at Johns Hopkins University. Jastrow later becomes professor of psychology at the University of Wisconsin and serves as president of the American Psychological Association in 1900.
Watson believed that psychology should primarily be scientific observable behavior. He is remembered for his research on the conditioning process. Watson is also known for the Little Albert experiment, in which he demonstrated that a child could be conditioned to fear a previously neutral stimulus.