The concept of instinct was also covered comparatively, and the evolution of brain function, particularly the cerebrum, was analyzed. Along with these four main concepts, James discussed various theories and hypotheses about centers in the brain receiving specific input from the physical senses. During the last half of the 19th century, psychology began gaining moral ground in the United States, and William's book helped strengthen its hold.įour main concepts were put forth by James in this book, including stream of consciousness, emotion, habit, and will. This work took 12 years to write, and the resulting text consisted of two volumes. In 1890, James published a book called The Principles of Psychology. From spiritualism to pragmatic philosophy and the functionalist school of psychology, William James contributed prolifically to the field of psychology he was eventually named the 14th most eminent psychologist of the 20th century. He was a part of the Theosophical Society and one of the founders of the American Society for Psychical Research. To James, the truth was subjective, and he delved into all mental pursuits with an open mind. He began his professional life with a doctorate in physical medicine, after which he studied psychology and philosophy with the best and brightest minds of his day. Although he was trained and certified as a medical doctor, James found that his genuine interest was in the workings of the mind. William James ventured into various philosophical and psychological areas during his prolific career. Most of his findings, theories, and inquiries were viewed according to his pragmatic theory of truth. James posited the pragmatic theory of truth and used this philosophy to define and redefine ideas, filtering answers to his questions about the mind. Pragmatism and functionalism are two philosophies William James used to further his understanding of the world around him. ![]() ![]() James culled his information from many sources and schools of thought, carefully choosing only information he believed to be helpful. With an approach to psychology based on his pragmatic philosophy, he produced a body of work that may still be viable to many. James's intellectual pursuits were diverse, and he relied heavily on his personal experiences when developing his theories. As a leading thinker during the latter half of the 19th century, he developed influential theories in psychology and philosophy. Connect With An Online Therapist Who Was William James?īorn in 1842, William James was an American psychologist and philosopher, now sometimes referred to as the "Father of American psychology." James wrote and published extensively and was the first to offer a course in psychology in the United States.
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