Psychological Science: Inquiry and Implications

As we all know, psychological science is not a new endeavor. It has, as our history book tell us, been around for at least 112 years, that is if Leipzig in 1879 is to be accepted as the founding place and date. Perhaps it is best to consider the founding date as an era — the period from 1880 to 1900 — to give Wundt, Ebbinghaus, James, and Thorndike proper recognition. The aims of the pioneering psychological scientists of the 19th century are those that guide us today. And our inquiry has built on the findings and theories of these pioneers. They wanted to know then, as we do now, the nature and bases of experience and behavior. Although I am willing to admit bias, I find it difficult (actually, impossible) to imagine a more interesting and intellectually challenging scientific task.