Robert S. Woodworth
Encyclopedia
Robert Sessions Woodworth (1869-1962) was an influential American
academic psychologist
of the first half of the twentieth century. A graduate of Harvard and Columbia, his textbook Psychology: A study of mental life, which appeared first in 1921, went through many editions and was the first introduction to psychology for generations of undergraduate students. His 1938 textbook of Experimental Psychology
was scarcely less influential, especially in the 1954 2nd edition, written with Harold H. Schlosberg
.
In the 1929 second edition of the earlier text, Woodworth introduced the expression Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) to describe his functionalist
approach to psychology and to stress its difference from the strictly Stimulus-Response (S-R) approach of the behaviorists
.
During World War One, Woodworth created the Woodworth Personal Data Sheet (WPDS), which has been called the first personality test. The WPDS was designed to identify new recruits who were likely to suffer "shell shock" while fighting overseas. Although the test was designed too late for it to be used operationally, the test was highly influential in the development of later personality inventories.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
academic psychologist
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
of the first half of the twentieth century. A graduate of Harvard and Columbia, his textbook Psychology: A study of mental life, which appeared first in 1921, went through many editions and was the first introduction to psychology for generations of undergraduate students. His 1938 textbook of Experimental Psychology
Experimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
was scarcely less influential, especially in the 1954 2nd edition, written with Harold H. Schlosberg
Harold H. Schlosberg
Harold Schlosberg was a professor of psychology at Brown University. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y, Schlosberg earned his Bachelor's and Ph.D. degrees from Princeton University...
.
In the 1929 second edition of the earlier text, Woodworth introduced the expression Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) to describe his functionalist
Functional psychology
Functional psychology or functionalism refers to a general psychological philosophy that considers mental life and behavior in terms of active adaptation to the person's environment. As such, it provides the general basis for developing psychological theories not readily testable by controlled...
approach to psychology and to stress its difference from the strictly Stimulus-Response (S-R) approach of the behaviorists
Behaviorism
Behaviorism , also called the learning perspective , is a philosophy of psychology based on the proposition that all things that organisms do—including acting, thinking, and feeling—can and should be regarded as behaviors, and that psychological disorders are best treated by altering behavior...
.
During World War One, Woodworth created the Woodworth Personal Data Sheet (WPDS), which has been called the first personality test. The WPDS was designed to identify new recruits who were likely to suffer "shell shock" while fighting overseas. Although the test was designed too late for it to be used operationally, the test was highly influential in the development of later personality inventories.