Wundt, Wilhelm

(born , Aug. 16, 1832, Neckarau, near Mannheim, Baden—died Aug. 31, 1920, Grossbothen, Ger.) German physiologist and psychologist, the founder of experimental psychology. After earning a medical degree, he studied briefly with Johannes Peter M and later assisted Hermann von Helmholtz. At the University of Heidelberg in 1862, following publication of his (1858–62), he gave the first course in scientific psychology. In (1873–74) he claimed that psychology must be based directly on experience and that its proper method was that of controlled introspection. At the University of Leipzig (1875–1917), he established the first psychological laboratory (1879) and founded the first journal of psychology (1881). His later works include (1896) and (10 vol., 1900–20).

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