Edward Bradford Titchener (1867-1927) was an influential early 20th century psychologist who is best known for his works on structuralism and introspection. He was born in Chichester, England and studied at Oxford University from 1886-1890. After graduating, he traveled to Germany and studied with Wilhelm Wundt in Leipzig, where he was exposed to the new science of experimental psychology.
Titchener’s major contribution to psychology was his development of the structural school of thought, which focused on analyzing the basic elements of the mind. He advocated a method of introspection, which involves a systematic examination of conscious experience. He believed that the mind could be broken down into its component parts and studied in a scientific manner. In addition to his work on structuralism, Titchener was one of the first to introduce the distinction between sensation and perception.
Titchener was an important figure in psychology in the United States, where he taught at Cornell University from 1892 until his death in 1927. He was a prolific writer, and his works include An Outline of Psychology (1896), Experimental Psychology (1900), and Introduction to Psychology (1905). His books and lectures helped to shape and popularize structuralism in the United States.
Titchener’s works had a lasting impact on psychology, particularly in the areas of structuralism and introspection. His views on the structure of the mind were eventually replaced by behaviorism and cognitive psychology, but his legacy remains in modern psychology.
References
Gardner, H. (1985). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. Basic Books.
Keller, M. (2012). The Story of Psychology. Oxford University Press.
Hergenhahn, B. R. (2018). An Introduction to the History of Psychology. Cengage Learning.
Boring, E. G. (1950). A History of Experimental Psychology. Appleton-Century-Crofts.
Titchener, E. B. (1896). An Outline of Psychology. The Macmillan Company.
Titchener, E. B. (1900). Experimental Psychology. The Macmillan Company.
Titchener, E. B. (1905). Introduction to Psychology. The Macmillan Company.