Psychology Timeline

By smhmads
  • 387 BCE

    The Brain

    Plato suggested the brain is the mechanism of mental processes.

  • Hypnosis

    Franz Mesmer detailed his cure for mental illness, originally known as mesmerism, now known as hypnosis.

  • Language Develoment

    French physician Paul Broca discovered an area in the left frontal lobe that plays a key role in language development.

  • First Laboratory

    The first laboratory of Psychology in America is established at Johns Hopkins University.

  • Psychological Assessment

    The term “Mental Tests” was coined by James Cattell, beginning the specialization in psychology now known as psychological assessment.

  • APA

    The American Psychological Association was founded

  • Theory of Psychoanalysis

    Sigmund Freud introduced his theory of psychoanalysis in the "the Interpretation of Dreams"

  • British Psychological Society

    The British Psychological Society was founded.

  • Inkblot Test

    Swiss psychiatrist Herman Rorschach devised a personality test based on patients' interpretations of inkblots.

  • The Mentality of Apes

    Wolfgang Kohler published ‘The Mentality of Apes’ which became a major component of Gestalt Psychology.

  • Fight or Flight

    Walter B. Cannon coined the term homeostasis and began research on the fight or flight phenomenon.

  • First Lobotomy

    First lobotomy is preformed by Walter Freeman in the USA at George Washington University in Washington D.C. The procedure is intended to relieve severe and debilitating psychosis. It is also a very controversial procedure.

  • Electroconvulsive Therapy

    Electroconvulsive therapy was used for the first time on a person

  • Beginning of Feminism

    Karen Horney published her feministic views of psychoanalytic theory, marking the beginning of feminism.

  • Imipramine

    The first drug to treat depression is released, it's called imipramine.

  • Chlorpromazine

    Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) first used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

  • Code of Ethics

    Code of Ethics for Psychologists was developed by the American Psychological Association.

  • Homosexuality

    Homosexuality is removed from DSM after intense debate. APA removed homosexuality because it "does not necessarily constitute as a psychiatric disorder".

  • American Psychological Society

    American Psychological Society established.

  • E-Therapy

    Psychology advances to the technological age with the emergence of e-therapy.