Famous Psychologists

Regarded as a branch of Philosophy for many years, Psychology is a science which studies the mental and behavioural processes and interaction patterns of human beings, and animals too. A recent science, Psychology owes it debt to many famous psychologists who have established it and developed the science. Such famous psychologists have by expressing their own thoughts, defined and developed the scope and thoughts or different schools of Psychology.

Among some famous psychologists, who have helped in shaping its scope and field of study, include

• William James, or the father of Psychology;
• Sigmund Freud, the father of Abnormal Psychology;
• Jean Piaget;
• B.F. Skinner;
• Ivan Pavlov;
• Carl Rogers; and
• Albert Bandura
• Carl Jung,
• Jacques Lacan, and others.

The credit of establishing Psychology as an independent branch of science goes to famous psychologist William James, author of the famous and influential 'The Principles of Psychology', who is also known as the father of Psychology. Wilhelm Wundt is also another famous psychologist who developed and established experimental psychology, which focuses on using scientific and objective methods.

At present, clinical psychology, study of abnormality, personality, child development, and psychotherapyforms an important part of psychology. Such emerging concepts owe their development to famous psychologist Sigmund Freud who is also known as the father of abnormal psychology.

Other pioneers in the field of clinical psychology include famous psychologists Carl Jung and Jacques Lacan. Carl Jung developed the concept of ‘self’ and also contributed to the growth of psychoanalytic movement. Similarly, famous psychologist Jacques Lacan took the footsteps of Sigmund Freud and contributed to the field of psychoanalytic movement.

Famous psychologist Hans J. Eysenck is responsible for providing a deep insight into the various facets of human personality.

Contributing to the development of the important client-centred therapy is another famous psychologist known as Carl Rogers.

Jean Piaget has brought a new understanding and insight into the intellectual development of childrenand hence,revolutionised the field of cognitive development in psychology. Similarly, famous psychologist Albert Bandura has also contributed to cognitive field in psychology, laying particular emphasis on social learning theory.

Two other famous psychologists who have influenced the rise of behaviourism were B.F Skinner and Ivan Pavlov. While Skinner developed therapy techniques used for modifying behaviour, which are still used today, Pavlov researched on conditioned reflexes and developed techniques for an objective behaviour study.