Wilhelm Wundt

Wilhelm Wundt - Scientists, Career and Family

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Wilhelm Wundt's Personal Details

Wilhelm Wundt was a renowned doctor who conducted pioneering studies on experimental psychology

InformationDetail
BirthdayAugust 16, 1832
Died onAugust 31, 1920
NationalityGerman
FamousPhilosophers, Scientists, Physiologists
Known asWilhelm Maximilian Wundt
Universities
  • Heidelberg University
  • Humboldt University of Berlin
  • University of Tübingen
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Leipzig University
Birth PlaceMannheim
GenderMale
Sun SignLeo
Born inMannheim
Famous asPhilosopher
Died at Age88

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Wilhelm Wundt's photo

Who is Wilhelm Wundt?

Wilhelm Wundt was a pioneering physician who laid the foundations of modern day psychology. Earlier psychology was regarded a discipline of philosophy but Wundt revolutionized the idea and presented psychology as a separate branch of science. After completing his studies in medicine, he embarked on an academic career. It was under his guidance that the world’s first ever academic curriculum for psychology was charted and taught at the University of Heidelberg. He was inspired by the works of Ernst Heinrich Weber and Gustav Fechner in experimental psychology and set about exploring the genre. He stressed on the relation between human mind and brain and used experimental methods to analyse the reaction of brain to varying stimuli such as thoughts, vision and feelings. He also conducted extensive research on the process of perception and how it affects one psychology. His book ‘Principles of Physiological Psychology’ became a renowned publication and formed the basis for further study in the field. Wilhelm’s most important contribution towards psychology was the establishment of one of the earliest laboratories dedicated solely to the study of the discipline. The laboratory in the premises of Leipzig University became a centre of new studies and research in the field and produced numerous eminent psychologists. Read on to know more about his life and works

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Childhood & Early Life

Wilhelm Wundt was the son of Lutheran parents Maximilian Wundt and Marie Frederike, born on August 16, 1832 in Baden, Germany. His father, Maximilian, was a pastor by profession and the family shifted to the town of Heidelsheim, where Wilhelm and his three elder siblings completed their schooling.

He then pursued higher studies from the ‘University of Tübingen’, later completing his graduation in medicine from the ‘University of Heidelberg’ in 1856. He also studied at the ‘University of Berlin’ under physiologist Johannes Peter Müller until the latter’s death.

His first publication on ‘Ethnic psychology’ was ‘Völkerpsychologie’; he worked throughout 1900-1920, publishing as many as ten volumes of the book.

Career

Returning to his alma mater at Heidelberg, in 1858, he took up the position of a lecturer in physiology, assisting physicist Hermann von Helmhotz in his research.

As a lecturer at the university, he popularized scientific psychology among his students and the department offered the first ever curriculum on the subject. He encouraged scientific investigation of relationship between human mind and perception rather than the old school approach where psychology was considered to a figment of philosophy and hence evaluated through rational analysis.

He also penned his first book on psychology ‘Beiträge zur Theorie der Sinneswahrnehmung’ (‘Contributions to the Theory of Sense Perception’) during 1858–62.

‘Vorlesungen über die Menschen und Thierseele’ (‘Lectures on the Mind of Humans and Animals’) published in1863 comprised of the lectures he delivered on psychology. Through his lectures he made efforts to establish psychology as a branch of science.

The university appointed him as an Assistant Professor of Physiology, the following year and he also authored a book on human physiology, titled ‘Lehrbuch der Physiologie des Menschen’ (‘Text-book of Human Physiology’), in 1865.

The subject did not intrigue Wilhelm much and he started delivering lectures on pathological anatomy and the necessity of clinical examination, in 1867.

In 1874, he accepted a position of professor at the ‘University of Zurich’, lecturing on ‘Inductive Phliosophy’. The same year he started working on his most important literature on psychology, ‘Principles of Physiological Psychology’, which became a benchmark in the field.

In 1875, he accepted a position at the ‘University of Leipzig’ and the move marked the beginning of his most significant contribution towards establishing psychology as a discipline of science.

In 1879, the world’s first psychological laboratory was established at the ‘University of Leipzig’ under Wundt’s guidance. The laboratory aimed at conducting experiments to understand human psychology and students from across the globe enrolled to understand and explore this newly founded discipline.

He then founded a journal ‘Philosophische Studien’ (‘Philosophical Studies’), in 1881, which published the findings of the research activity undertaken by Wilhelm’s laboratory.

Throughout his career, he authored several books and scientific papers and the books; one such composition was ‘Grundriss der Psychologie’ (‘Outline of Psychology’), published in1896.

Major Works

Wilhelm is credited for segregating psychology from philosophy and creating a new identity for the subject. His ‘Principles of Physiological Psychology’ became a standard textbook and through his book he demonstrated the use of experimental procedures in analysing human psychology.

Personal Life & Legacy

Wundt exchanged nuptial vows with daughter of academician Sophie Mau on August 14, 1872. They were blessed with two daughters, Eleanor and Lily, and a son, Max.

This eminent physiologist breathed his last on August 31 1920 in Saxony, Germany.

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Wilhelm Wundt biography timelines

  • // 16th Aug 1832
    Wilhelm Wundt was the son of Lutheran parents Maximilian Wundt and Marie Frederike, born on August 16, 1832 in Baden, Germany. His father, Maximilian, was a pastor by profession and the family shifted to the town of Heidelsheim, where Wilhelm and his three elder siblings completed their schooling.
  • // 1856
    He then pursued higher studies from the ‘University of Tübingen’, later completing his graduation in medicine from the ‘University of Heidelberg’ in 1856. He also studied at the ‘University of Berlin’ under physiologist Johannes Peter Müller until the latter’s death.
  • // 1858
    Returning to his alma mater at Heidelberg, in 1858, he took up the position of a lecturer in physiology, assisting physicist Hermann von Helmhotz in his research.
  • // 1858
    He also penned his first book on psychology ‘Beiträge zur Theorie der Sinneswahrnehmung’ (‘Contributions to the Theory of Sense Perception’) during 1858–62.
  • // 1863
    ‘Vorlesungen über die Menschen und Thierseele’ (‘Lectures on the Mind of Humans and Animals’) published in1863 comprised of the lectures he delivered on psychology. Through his lectures he made efforts to establish psychology as a branch of science.
  • // 1865
    The university appointed him as an Assistant Professor of Physiology, the following year and he also authored a book on human physiology, titled ‘Lehrbuch der Physiologie des Menschen’ (‘Text-book of Human Physiology’), in 1865.
  • // 1867
    The subject did not intrigue Wilhelm much and he started delivering lectures on pathological anatomy and the necessity of clinical examination, in 1867.
  • // 14th Aug 1872
    Wundt exchanged nuptial vows with daughter of academician Sophie Mau on August 14, 1872. They were blessed with two daughters, Eleanor and Lily, and a son, Max.
  • // 1874
    In 1874, he accepted a position of professor at the ‘University of Zurich’, lecturing on ‘Inductive Phliosophy’. The same year he started working on his most important literature on psychology, ‘Principles of Physiological Psychology’, which became a benchmark in the field.
  • // 1875
    In 1875, he accepted a position at the ‘University of Leipzig’ and the move marked the beginning of his most significant contribution towards establishing psychology as a discipline of science.
  • // 1879
    In 1879, the world’s first psychological laboratory was established at the ‘University of Leipzig’ under Wundt’s guidance. The laboratory aimed at conducting experiments to understand human psychology and students from across the globe enrolled to understand and explore this newly founded discipline.
  • // 1881
    He then founded a journal ‘Philosophische Studien’ (‘Philosophical Studies’), in 1881, which published the findings of the research activity undertaken by Wilhelm’s laboratory.
  • // 1896
    Throughout his career, he authored several books and scientific papers and the books; one such composition was ‘Grundriss der Psychologie’ (‘Outline of Psychology’), published in1896.
  • // 1900 To 1920
    His first publication on ‘Ethnic psychology’ was ‘Völkerpsychologie’; he worked throughout 1900-1920, publishing as many as ten volumes of the book.
  • // 31st Aug 1920
    This eminent physiologist breathed his last on August 31 1920 in Saxony, Germany.

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Wilhelm Wundt's FAQ

  • What is Wilhelm Wundt birthday?

    Wilhelm Wundt was born at 1832-08-16

  • When was Wilhelm Wundt died?

    Wilhelm Wundt was died at 1920-08-31

  • Where was Wilhelm Wundt died?

    Wilhelm Wundt was died in Großbothen

  • Which age was Wilhelm Wundt died?

    Wilhelm Wundt was died at age 88

  • Where is Wilhelm Wundt's birth place?

    Wilhelm Wundt was born in Mannheim

  • What is Wilhelm Wundt nationalities?

    Wilhelm Wundt's nationalities is German

  • What was Wilhelm Wundt universities?

    Wilhelm Wundt studied at Heidelberg University, Humboldt University of Berlin, University of Tübingen

  • Which company or organization was founded by Wilhelm Wundt?

    Wilhelm Wundt was the founder/co-founder of Leipzig University

  • What is Wilhelm Wundt's sun sign?

    Wilhelm Wundt is Leo

  • How famous is Wilhelm Wundt?

    Wilhelm Wundt is famouse as Philosopher