Wild Willy James

Physiological professor turned psychologist

Former Harvard professor

Widely considered "father of American Psychology"

Had notable students

Functionalist

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Turns out I'm even featured in a number of textbooks as an important figure... Who knew? I guess founding US Psychology is important

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

His text "Principles of Physiological Psychology" really was great

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Wilhelm Wundt inspired me to pursue the field of psychology in America while he was in Leipzig

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

They kinda don't though because functionalism as a school of thought became much less popular

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

My ideas live on

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

The APA that my student G Stanley Hall founded is still active today. Talk about the test of time...

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

About

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Psychology is just the brain thinking out itself

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

However, even a broken clock is right twice a day, and the structuralists are right in that conscious experiences should be studied

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Unlike structuralists, we Functionalists use a much more expanded palate of techniques to investigate, not just useless introspection

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Some of my students also write journals. I really was a good teacher.

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Some of my students are also avid textbook writers as you can see. Taught 'em everything they know.

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Or my class in psychology at Harvard?

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Did I mention my best selling book, Principles of Psychology?

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

While you all were in school or being born, I WAS FOUNDING AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGY...

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Consciousness is like a stream... It flows, shifts, and changes. Mental activity is always occurring.

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Charles Darwin was a pioneer in the field. The field of Functionalism bases its ideals off his impressive observations on evolution

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

What is a student without their teacher? Another student of mine, G. Stanley Hall opened the first psychology research lab in the U.S

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

Functions of behavior allow us to adapt to our environments. Your conscious mind will now allow you to think about how correct I am

[Wild Willy James @WillyBillyJames]

"Founder of American Psychology" isn't a title that comes easy, but I'm sure you will agree my work justifies it.