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The history of modern psychology spans centuries, with the earliest known mention ofclinical depressionappearing in 1500 BCE on an ancient Egyptian manuscript known as the Ebers Papyrus.However, it wasn’t until the 11th century that Persian physician Avicenna made a connection between emotions and physical responses in a practice dubbed “physiological psychology.”

Understanding the history of modern psychology provides insight into how this field has developed and evolved over time. It also gives a better understanding of the thought processes of some of the most influential figures in the field, ultimately emerging intopsychologyas we know it today.

The Birth of Modern Psychology

Some say that modern psychology was born in the 18th century, which is largely due to William Battie’s “Treatise on Madness,” published in 1758.Others consider the mid-19th century experiments conducted in Hermann von Helmholtz’s lab to be theorigin of modern psychology.

Still others suggest that modern psychology began in 1879 when Wilhelm Wundt—also known as thefather of modern psychology—establishedthe first experimental psychology lab. From that moment forward, the study of psychology would evolve, as it still does today.

Important Events in the History of Modern Psychology

A number of important, landmark events highlight psychology’s transformation throughout the years.

19th Century

In the 19th century, psychology was established as an empirical, accepted science. While measures would change, the model of research and evaluation would begin to take shape within this 100-year time span.

1900 to 1950

1950 to 2000

The latter half of the 20th century centered around the standardization of diagnostic criteria for mental illness.The hallmark of this process was the publication of the American Psychological Association’sDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). This foundational tool is still in use in modern psychology and helps direct diagnosis and treatment.

21st Century

With the advent of genetic science,psychologistsbegan grappling with the ways in which physiology and genetics contribute to a person’s psychological well-being in the 21st century.

Classic Psychology Experiments

Modern Psychology Today

Thanks to the contributions of the many experts along the way, the field of modern psychology has expanded into multiple subdivisions or specializations. Some of the numerousbranches in modern psychologyas it stands right now are:

6 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Khalil RB, Richa S.When affective disorders were considered to emanate from the heart: The Ebers Papyrus.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(3):275. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13070860Macintyre I, Munro A.The Monro dynasty and their treatment of madness in London.Neurosciences and History. 2015;3(3):116-124.Suris A, Holliday R, North CS.The evolution of the classification of psychiatric disorders.Behav Sci (Basel).2016;6(1):5. doi:10.3390/bs6010005Caspi A, McClay JL, Mill J, et al.Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children.Science.2002;297(5582):851-854. doi:10.1126/science.1072290National Human Genome Research Institute.Human Genome Project timeline of events.NobelPrize.org.The Nobel prize in physiology or medicine 2014.Additional ReadingAmerican Psychological Association.125th Anniversary APA Timeline.Shiraev E.A History of Psychology: A Global Perspective. 2nd ed. Sage Publishing; 2014.

6 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Khalil RB, Richa S.When affective disorders were considered to emanate from the heart: The Ebers Papyrus.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(3):275. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13070860Macintyre I, Munro A.The Monro dynasty and their treatment of madness in London.Neurosciences and History. 2015;3(3):116-124.Suris A, Holliday R, North CS.The evolution of the classification of psychiatric disorders.Behav Sci (Basel).2016;6(1):5. doi:10.3390/bs6010005Caspi A, McClay JL, Mill J, et al.Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children.Science.2002;297(5582):851-854. doi:10.1126/science.1072290National Human Genome Research Institute.Human Genome Project timeline of events.NobelPrize.org.The Nobel prize in physiology or medicine 2014.Additional ReadingAmerican Psychological Association.125th Anniversary APA Timeline.Shiraev E.A History of Psychology: A Global Perspective. 2nd ed. Sage Publishing; 2014.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Khalil RB, Richa S.When affective disorders were considered to emanate from the heart: The Ebers Papyrus.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(3):275. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13070860Macintyre I, Munro A.The Monro dynasty and their treatment of madness in London.Neurosciences and History. 2015;3(3):116-124.Suris A, Holliday R, North CS.The evolution of the classification of psychiatric disorders.Behav Sci (Basel).2016;6(1):5. doi:10.3390/bs6010005Caspi A, McClay JL, Mill J, et al.Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children.Science.2002;297(5582):851-854. doi:10.1126/science.1072290National Human Genome Research Institute.Human Genome Project timeline of events.NobelPrize.org.The Nobel prize in physiology or medicine 2014.

Khalil RB, Richa S.When affective disorders were considered to emanate from the heart: The Ebers Papyrus.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(3):275. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13070860

Macintyre I, Munro A.The Monro dynasty and their treatment of madness in London.Neurosciences and History. 2015;3(3):116-124.

Suris A, Holliday R, North CS.The evolution of the classification of psychiatric disorders.Behav Sci (Basel).2016;6(1):5. doi:10.3390/bs6010005

Caspi A, McClay JL, Mill J, et al.Role of genotype in the cycle of violence in maltreated children.Science.2002;297(5582):851-854. doi:10.1126/science.1072290

National Human Genome Research Institute.Human Genome Project timeline of events.

NobelPrize.org.The Nobel prize in physiology or medicine 2014.

American Psychological Association.125th Anniversary APA Timeline.Shiraev E.A History of Psychology: A Global Perspective. 2nd ed. Sage Publishing; 2014.

American Psychological Association.125th Anniversary APA Timeline.

Shiraev E.A History of Psychology: A Global Perspective. 2nd ed. Sage Publishing; 2014.

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