Walter Dill Scott
Encyclopedia
Walter Dill Scott was one of the first applied psychologist
s. He applied psychology to various business practices such as personnel selection and advertising.
near the town of Normal, Illinois
. He lived on a farm until the age of 19 when he entered Illinois State Normal University
. He wanted to become a missionary to China, but following his graduation, could not find a missionary position in China. He decided instead to go to Germany and study psychology with Wilhelm Wundt
. While there, he received his Doctor of Philosophy in psychology
and education
in 1900 from Leipzig University.
In 1900 he was appointed instructor of psychology and education and director of the psychological laboratory at Northwestern University
. In 1905, Dr. Scott was made professor of psychology and
head of the department of psychology. In 1909, he was appointed professor of advertising
in the School of Commerce at Northwestern University and in 1912, professor of applied psychology in the School of Commerce.
Soon after returning from Germany, while he was teaching at Northwestern University, he was approached by an advertising executive looking for ideas to make advertising more effective. He turned his attention to this area and composed the book The Psychology of Advertising in Theory and Practice in 1903. In 1908, he published another book about that topic: "The Psychology of Advertising".
In 1917 Scott approached the army, offering to help them by applying psychological principles to personnel selection. Although some of his contacts were skeptical, they did decide to incorporate some of his methods and awarded him the Distinguished Service Medal.
Some of his personnel selection methods included tests to measure certain desirable characteristics and rating scales to rate applicants on necessary skills and attributes (appearance, demeanor, neatness, judgment, accuracy).
During 1919–1920, he was president of the American Psychological Association
. In 1920, he was elected president of Northwestern University
and served until 1939. In 1933, he was awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honor by the French
Government for his contributions to education and the Goethe Plaque by the German
Government "in recognition of Northwestern University's impressive celebration of Goethe's anniversary".
Scott Hall at Northwestern University is named for Walter and his wife Anna Miller Scott.
He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi
, and Alpha Phi Omega
.
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
s. He applied psychology to various business practices such as personnel selection and advertising.
Life
Scott was born in Cooksville, IllinoisCooksville, Illinois
Cooksville is a village in McLean County, Illinois, United States. The population was 182 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bloomington–Normal Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Cooksville is located at ....
near the town of Normal, Illinois
Normal, Illinois
Normal is an incorporated town in McLean County, Illinois, United States. It had a population of 52,497 as of the 2010 census. Normal is the smaller of two principal municipalities of the Bloomington-Normal metropolitan area...
. He lived on a farm until the age of 19 when he entered Illinois State Normal University
Illinois State University
Illinois State University , founded in 1857, is the oldest public university in Illinois; it is located in the town of Normal. ISU is considered a "national university" that grants a variety of doctoral degrees and strongly emphasizes research; it is also recognized as one of the top ten largest...
. He wanted to become a missionary to China, but following his graduation, could not find a missionary position in China. He decided instead to go to Germany and study psychology with Wilhelm Wundt
Wilhelm Wundt
Wilhelm Maximilian Wundt was a German physician, psychologist, physiologist, philosopher, and professor, known today as one of the founding figures of modern psychology. He is widely regarded as the "father of experimental psychology"...
. While there, he received his Doctor of Philosophy in psychology
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...
and education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
in 1900 from Leipzig University.
In 1900 he was appointed instructor of psychology and education and director of the psychological laboratory at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. In 1905, Dr. Scott was made professor of psychology and
head of the department of psychology. In 1909, he was appointed professor of advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
in the School of Commerce at Northwestern University and in 1912, professor of applied psychology in the School of Commerce.
Soon after returning from Germany, while he was teaching at Northwestern University, he was approached by an advertising executive looking for ideas to make advertising more effective. He turned his attention to this area and composed the book The Psychology of Advertising in Theory and Practice in 1903. In 1908, he published another book about that topic: "The Psychology of Advertising".
In 1917 Scott approached the army, offering to help them by applying psychological principles to personnel selection. Although some of his contacts were skeptical, they did decide to incorporate some of his methods and awarded him the Distinguished Service Medal.
Some of his personnel selection methods included tests to measure certain desirable characteristics and rating scales to rate applicants on necessary skills and attributes (appearance, demeanor, neatness, judgment, accuracy).
During 1919–1920, he was president of the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
. In 1920, he was elected president of Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
and served until 1939. In 1933, he was awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honor by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
Government for his contributions to education and the Goethe Plaque by the German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
Government "in recognition of Northwestern University's impressive celebration of Goethe's anniversary".
Scott Hall at Northwestern University is named for Walter and his wife Anna Miller Scott.
He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi
Sigma Xi: The Scientific Research Society is a non-profit honor society which was founded in 1886 at Cornell University by a junior faculty member and a handful of graduate students. Members elect others on the basis of their research achievements or potential...
, and Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Phi Omega is the largest collegiate fraternity in the United States, with chapters at over 350 campuses, an active membership of approximately 17,000 students, and over 350,000 alumni members...
.