Munslerberg, Hug 0 ( 863 Hugo Munsterberg within Psychology at RIN.ru Page 1 of 2 1 CHOLOGY psy.rin.ru) RUSSIAN Visit RIN.RU pro You are here >> General Psychology Biographies of Psychologists Personality Types Residential Treatment How to Relieve Stress Luxurious Adult Psychological Treatment Tips & tricks for managing and overcoming Clinical Psychology Facility in Los Angeles the stress in your life Men & Women Ads by Google Help On-Line Psychology & Health Hugo Munsterberg Miscellaneous Biographies of Psychologists Hugo Munsterberg is a pioneer in the fields of Industrial (I/O), Experiment Dictionary Psychology. Also, he championed behaviorism, investigated the value of prayer, an Humour & Psychology effectiveness of eye witness testimonies. He was a famous Harvard professor who Wundtian psychology into its modern form. However, the last years of his life were S] Quotations sorrow, and today, he is barely ackowledged. Addictions Psychology of Colours Dr. Munsterberg was born in Danzig Germany on June 1, 1863. His father, Moritz M lumber merchant who bought lumber in Russia and sold it in England. His mother, A Program collection was an artist and although she took devoted care of her four sons, she had plenty tim paintings and drawings. It was in this atmosphere of broad and intelligent thinking a the arts that Munsterberg spent a happy, care free childhood. It's interesting Munsterberg's education began with kindergarten. After a few years at a private scho When we remember we are all Gymnasium of Danzig at the age of nine. His mother died when he was twelve and tl mad, the mysteries disappear sorrow changed him from a child into a serious youth. In 1882, he passed his final ex and life stands explained. Gymnasium with credit, and as he had desired to see more of the world, he enrolled the University of Geneva, where he improved his French Language and literature. Mark Twain this same year, he began his serious studies at the University of Leipzig. He starte social psychology but soon changed to the field of medicine. In 1883, he had the h lectures by Wilhelm Wundt and was SO deeply moved that he decided to devote his li Search within site and entered the psychological laboratory at Leipzig, which has been the training & Key word search American psychologists. Search within dictionary In 1885, he received his Ph.D. degree in psychology with his dissertation on the do Word search adaptation. Then, he went to Heidelberg to continue his medical studies and in the : he received his medical degree and passed an examination which would allow h "privatdocent" at Freiburg. During this time, he lectured mainly on philosophy psychological laboratory at the University SO Munsterberg equipped rooms in his Mail system 15Mb! certain apparatus and attracted many students from Germany and other foreign countr Login @boxmail.biz In 1891, he was promoted to assistant professorship and also attended the First Intern enter of Psychology at Paris. It was here that he first met William James. They corresp over the next few years and James was SO impressed by Munsterberg's genius that in [Register] http://psy.rin.ru/eng/article/167-101.html 8/25/2004 Hugo Munsterberg within Psychology at RIN.ru Page 2 of 2 [ him to come to Harvard for three years to take charge of the psychological laboratory located in old Dane Hall at Harvard. He was extremely successful as a teacher and a Create site he was offered a permanent professorship. He declined the offer due to uncertain Free Hosting America, and returned to Freiburg. Two years later he returned to Harvard in re: Game server invitations from James and Harvard's president. Psy Forum Munsterberg's abilities were recognized far beyond the Harvard commmunity. In 189 president of the APA. In 1910, he was be appointed exchange professor from University of Berlin. Inspired by the belief that harmony among nations could be br by fostering the cultural ties between them, he devoted much of his time to the American Institute. On his return to Harvard, he and his students devised a number ( to administer to the personnel of a variety of industrial plants. In psychology, Munsterberg had two principles. He believed that the casual law phenomena in SO far as they were correlated with physiological processes. Here, he W When, however, he considered the mental from the viewpoint of values, he belie Munsterberg's chief contribution to the theoretical psychology was his "action theory attention in terms of the openness of the nerve paths to the muscles of adjustment. T forerunner in the field of behaviorism. He was devoted to America, but always rema own country, and SO from the first days of the war, he continued to write in defer motives and ideals. This resulted in violent criticism and attack, and the loss of nume And, it overshadowed his remarkable contributions. Copyright RIN © 2001 - 2002 Russian Information psy@rin.ru Rambler's Network mattru 1 TOP 100 1 http://psy.rin.ru/eng/article/167-101.html 8/25/2004 - Classics in the History of Psychology -- Munsterberg (1893) Page 1 of 36 Classics in the History of Psychology An internet resource developed by Christopher D. Green York University, Toronto, Ontario ISSN 1492-3173 (Return to Classics index) Psychological Laboratory of Harvard University Hugo Münsterberg (1893). Posted June 2000 PREFACE. It is hoped that this Catalogue, which is issued as a part of the Harvard Exhibit at the World's Fair, may prove useful in various ways. It attempts to give information about the equipment of psychological laboratories, to spread a more exact kllowledge as to the purpose of Experimental Psychology, and to give an account of the opportunities offered to students at Harvard. Our Laboratory, which occupies tile second story[sic] of Dane Hall, has been but recently established, and therefore our Catalogue is of necessity merely provisional. Nevertheless, the outfit is, even now, the most nearly complete that is anywhere at the disposal of students in psychology. It is adapted both to the courses in demonstration and exercise for beginners, and to original research by advanced students. The need of explaining to larger circles the purpose of Experimental Psychology arises from the fact that many misapprehensions still exist, and should be corrected. Experimental Psychology is too often confused with experiments upon the brain by by vivisection, with hypnotism, and even with spiritism. To counteract these misunderstandings and prejudices, there is given, not only a descriptive list of our instruments, but also, in appendix A, a list of the original researches conducted in our Laboratory during the present year. This account of our experiments may also serve to correct the error, which is SO prevalent, that Experimental Psychology is confined to the study of sensations and simple reaction-times. Association and attention, memory and judgment, [p. 4] space and time, feelings and will, etc., -- these are especially the problems to the study of which the work of the Harvard Laboratory is devoted. Here lies, no doubt, the future of Experimental Psychology. http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Munster/Lab/ 8/25/2004 Classics in the History of Psychology -- Munsterberg (1893) Page 2 of 36 But our chief desire is to give useful suggestions for establishing and improving psychological laboratories. With an increasing recognition that the results of Experimental Psychology are important, not only to psychologists and philosopher, but also to teachers and physicians, there is a growing desire for new laboratories; and we are constantly called upon for information about the most important instruments, their prices, and where they may be obtained. The purpose of this Catalogue is to give such information, and by the classification of instruments according to their use, to secure to every branch of experimental study an adequate representation. Of course, other instruments may be substituted for many of ours, since- Experimental Psychology is at an early stage, where every large laboratory must have an individual character. Too much emphasis cannot, however, be laid on the relative importance of Group IV., that of technical equipment. Appendix B supplies the Catalogue with the addresses of the most reliable manufacturers from whom such instruments may be obtained. And finally, Appendix C gives a list of references to the literature of Experimental Psychology which will be found valuable in active laboratory work. The nature of this pamphlet limits the references to those books and articles which describe the apparatus and methods of psychological experiments. But even within these narrow limits, it has been necessary to refer to only the more important contributions, and to give, even of these, merely general references rather than complete titles; otherwise our Appendix would grow to be a volume. HUGO MÜNSTERBERG. Photograph 1. Interior of Laboratory Room. Photograph 2. Interior of a Laboratory Room (Chain-reaction experiment.) [p. 4, p.5] PSYCHOLOGICAL LABORATORY. I. OBJECTS FOR ANATOMICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE PHYSICAL BASIS OF MENTAL LIFE. A. BRAIN. a. HUMAN BRAIN. 1. Large wire model, showing the fibres and the cerebral masses. After Aeby, by Buechi, Bern. $90. 2. Large elastic model, showing the course of the nerve-fibres throughout the encephalic mass. After Luys, by Auzoux, Paris. $75. 3. Natural sized clastic model, showing the nerve-fibres in one hemisphere, and the cerebral ganglion masses on the other. After Luys, by Auzoux, Paris. $56. http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Munster/Lab/ 8/25/2004 Untitled Document Page 1 of 4 Personal Biography Hugo Munsterberg, psychologist, was born in Danzig, Germany on June 1, 1863. His father, Moritz, was a merchant who bought and sold lumber. His mother, Anna, was an artist who continued her work while taking care of her four sons. The boys were encouraged in their love for books and music. The influence of this early artistic environment remained with him through his scholarly work. Not only did he play the cello, but he also wrote poetry. His passion for music and art influenced the development of his psychological theories. On August 7, 1887, he married Selma Oppler of Strassburg. Munsterberg was described as a person with a keen sense of humor, a warm heart and a generous spirit. Although appearing to be a large and intimidating man, he was very reserved especially when dealing with students. He stood firmly in his own ideas while remaining tolerant of other views. He did not participate in much physical activity, but he had great energy and was said to always be thinking. He was logical and clear in his thinking and loved beauty in every form. As a lecturer he was convincing and was always able to keep the audience involved. In philosophy, he was an idealist, but in psychology he held two principles to be true. These principles were that the belief of causal law held for mental phenomena as they were correlated with physiological processes and when he considered the mental from the viewpoint of values he believed in freedom. http://www.earlham.edu/%7Edominel/personalbiography.htm 8/25/2004 Untitled Document Page 2 of 4 Hugo encountered internal turmoil with the outbreak of the first World War. A native to Germany, but loyal to the United States, Munsterberg felt he needed to make a choice. His loyalties to his Homeland outweighed his American loyalties and he became unconditionally allied with German beliefs concerning the war. This sentiment sent him into further turmoil in that he was shunned while at Harvard. A complete explanation of how he was treated while at Harvard can be read in his Obituary. http://www.earlham.edu/%7Edominel/personalbiography.htm 8/25/2004 Untitled Document Page 3 of 4 Above is a photograph of Munsterberg and his colleagues. The figure on the lower right is William James. Munsterberg is in the center. It is believed that Josiah Royce is next to James and that Gerorge Palmer is on the other side of Munsterberg. The story in Hothersall states, "A painting over the stairway in Harvard's Emerson Hall shows William James, Josiah Royce, George Herbert Palmer, and a vacant chair. That chair was to have been occupied by Munsterberg, but his likeness was blocked out after his death (Roback, 1952, p. 208)" (Hothersall, p. 173-4). The implication is that Munsterberg was painted out because of his stand on Germany during WWI. However, there is some indication that Munsterberg was not painted out, but rather that he had such definite opinions about how he should be painted that the artist did not include him in the painting. Below is a message from Nicole Barenbaum of the University of the South at Sewanee. "It seems that two rumors are perpetuated in this account of the Harvard painting. Hothersall (1995) claims that Munsterberg "literally" disappeared from the painting, and he cites Roback's History of American Psychology (1952, p. 208) as his source. Actually Roback (1952) said this was a "story" that was circulating; he didn't say whether he believed it. In the second edition he added the following footnote: In a private communication (May 30, 1963) to the present author, Professor W. http://www.earlham.edu/%7Edominel/personalbiography.htm 8/25/2004 Untitled Document Page 4 of 4 E. Hocking tells a different story. "The "empty-chair" painting was definitely not 'painted out.' The point was that Winifred Rieber, who did the painting, and who carefully took private sketches of the four subjects, found Hugo very decided about how he should be painted -- he had his own theories of aesthetics--and she felt that she couldn't reconcile them with her own, and SO had to omit him.' " It is well and fortunate that we still have with us the sprightly nonagenarian; and his statement should scotch the rumor, which had spread even abroad, once and for all. (Roback, 1964, p. 228) Home Professional Clinical Applied Eyewitness I/O Timeline Related Obituary References http://www.earlham.edu/%7Edominel/personalbiography.htm 8/25/2004 Untitled Document Page 1 of 4 Professional Biography Dr. Munsterberg spent a few years at a private grammer school. At the age of nine he entered the Gymnasium of Danzig. With his mother's death at the age of twelve, Munsterberg began his transformation into a thoughtful, serious youth. He engaged in intellectual persuits outside of the curriculum including compiling a dictionary of foreign words used in Germany. He also studied Arabic and Sanskrit while at the same time trying his hand at archaeolgy. Munsterberg spent his free time participating in outdoor sports and dancing with his lady friends. In 1882, Munsterberg passed his final examination at the Gymnasium and enrolled at the University of Geneva for one semester where he studied the French language and literature. The following semester, he began his studies at the University of Leipzig. There he studied social psychology, but later switched to the study of medicine. After attending a lecture by Wundt in 1883, Munsterberg was taken with the study of psychology and entered the psychological labrortory at Leipzig. However, he still continued his study of medicine passing his preliminary examination in 1884. In July, 1885, Munsterberg wrote his dissertation on the doctrine of natural adaptation and earned his PhD degree in psychology. He then continued his medical studies at Heidelberg and recieved his medical degree in the summer of 1887. With this degree he was allowed to lecture as "privatdocent" at Freiburg. http://www.earlham.edu/%7Edominel/professionalbiography.htm 8/25/2004 Untitled Document Page 2 of 4 During this period he lectured mainly in philosophy. Since there were not any psychological laboratories at the University he equipped rooms in his own house with apparatus which attracted students from Germany and foreign countries. In 1891, Munsterberg was promoted to an assistant professorship and attended the First International Congress of Psychology at Paris where he met William James. Over the next few years the two corresponded frequently, and James was SO impressed that he asked Munsterberg to come to Harvard for three years to take charge of the psychological laboratory. Munsterberg accepted and due to his success as a teacher and administrator, he was offered a permanant professorship at Harvard. However, Munsterbeg decided to settle in America and returned to Freiburg for a few years. After many persuasive letters from James and President Eliot, Munsterberg retured to Harvard. He remained at Harvard until his death in 1916. In 1898 he was elected president of the APA and began giving public lectures in various cities across the country. The philosophy department at Harvard was in need of a new building. In 1903, Munsterberg saw his dream of a laboratory for experimental psychology come true. During this year, he was a large part of the success of the Congress of Arts and Sciences at the Saint Louis Exposition. Munsterberg also gave many lectures across the country on psychological and cultural topics. In his spare time, he tested psychological methods in practical situations such http://www.earlham.edu/%7Edominel/professionalbiography.htm 8/25/2004 Untitled Document Page 3 of 4 as crime detection. Along with these works, Munsterberg built a foundation for the use of psychology in the areas of industry, medicine, arts and education. In 1910, he was made the exchange professor from Harvard to the University of Berlin and believed that harmony among nations could be found by fostering the cultural ties between nations. After returning to Harvard and performing many tests in applied psychology, Munsterberg remained in America. Although needing a vacation, his inner drives kept him motivated as he worked on a book focusing on applied psychology. The last years of his life were full of stresses and sorrows. With World War I on the brink, Munsterberg was torn between his loyalty to America and his homeland. He wrote books and numerous magazine articles in defense of the actions taken by Germany. He was criticized and attacked due to his writings, which in turn resulted in the loss of several friendships. Although trying to remain strong, these criticisms wore him down. On December 16, 1916, Munsterberg died on the lecture platform while beginning a lecture at Radcliffe. He was not even able to finish his opening sentence. Home Personal Clinical Applied Eyewitness I/O Timeline Related Obituary References http://www.earlham.edu/%7Edominel/professionalbiography.htr 8/25/2004 249 250 Emerson Memorial Hall. Emerson Memorial Hall, [December, 1905.] Prof. Palmer arranges the poems in a new order, placing his notes on is striking: Here, generation after generation will be inspired by the life facing the text. For pictorial illustrations he gives portraits, of manu- and works of the great scholar and philosopher, in a way in which no the page of scenes and buildings connected with Herbert, facsimiles other university can instruct and inspire, through the very atmosphere views and reproductions of title-pages. The result is as nearly to do their per- of the Memorial. It is to be the home of the Philosophical Department. scripts which author, editor, critic, and publisher unite As one enters the building, in the hall will be seen the seated statue of fect a we are likely to see. It is the definitive edition of George it Emerson, in bronze, by Duveneck. This hall is of impressive and best Herbert: - as a delight for every lover of fine bookmaking and should) may simple Doric proportions and detail. The leads directly to a lecture- serve as a model of the way in which poets can (and therefore room, seating 350 persons. On the first floor are also several class-rooms and rooms for seminars. A generous staircase leads. to the second floor, be edited. which will be largely devoted to the sections of Sociology. Here will be the sociological library and museum, and also the philosop library. This floor has also a lecture-room seating 150 persons, beside various EMERSON MEMORIAL HALL. class-rooms and studies. Through special gifts the libraries and other Harvard's newest building, the Emerson Memorial Hall, time the in latest De- rooms on this floor are to be splendidly furnished and equipped. to be given to the University, will be finished some and The third floor. is devoted entirely. to Psychology. Here the greatest building when it will be occupied by the departments of Philosophy in this care has been given to the planning of the most complete arrangement cember, The structure, an illustration of which we publish and was de- for psy chological research, in the equipment of laboratories and experi- Psychology. issue, stands adjacent to Sever Hall, facing Robinson Hall, ment-rooms, in studies and class-rooms. It is thus seen that under one roof Harvard has now assembled depart- signed A difficult by Guy problem Lowell, has '92, been successfully solved in the erection of this ments closely bound together, and has provided generous and splendid Sever and Robinson Halls differ 80 radically in architectural harmonious accommodations for a great work whose results are immeasurable. Prof. building. as well as in color and size, that the task of forming an for Em- Munsterberg in a speech at the Emerson Centenary at Concord, in May, design, seemed well-nigh impossible when the ground was broken has been 1903, said: We want a spacious, noble, monumental hall. But we group Hall. The building, though one story greater in height, with know also that the value of this memorial gift lies not in its walls and made erson to balance Robinson Hall in mass and design, and therefore roof, but in the kind of work which will develop within those walls, It will be a true Emerson Memorial if the words and work in that hall Sever the three give to the Yard a group of much interest. materials of construction are brick and limestone, used in about fea- become help and guidance, wisdom and inspiration for new and new The proportion as those in Robinson Hall. The most unusual stories. generations of Harvard Men." the same is the use of large columns of brick, which carry through two letter Prof. Royce was read at the same meeting, in which ture These occur in a group of six upon the front, and in a group of two upon the he said "That the founding of this new building may mean the begin- the end elevation, giving a motive for the Yard entrance. They give effect ning of a new life for losophical study in our country, and the dawn- desired effect of light and shade without detracting from the quiet of Ionic ing of a new day for the interests of higher thought in our national of color due to the predominance of brick. The columns are Over the affairs, is the earnest wish of your absent colleague." and the whole building is Greek in feeling and detail. Prof. James, in an address at this centenary celebration, also said: order, Yard entrance is the Philosophy and across the frieze mindful over of Gainst death and all oblivious enmity shall you pace forth, beloved colonnade, on the front, What is man that Thou art limestone master. As long as our English language lasts, men's hearts will be the At the present moment, although the newness of the and cheered and their souls strengthened and liberated by the noble and him." in the building gives rather sharp contrasts of color, the simplicity 80 musical pages with which you have enriched it." With the words in of the design are such that time will quickly tone the structure, that it has mind of three of the professors who will labor together in this Emerson dignity that its real qualities will give to the Yard an added character Memorial Hall, the reality and worth of the building is realized for Har- vard and for humanity. greatly needed. The uses of the Hall will be such that the uniqueness of the Memorial HUGO MUENSTERBERG LED LIFE OF GREAT INDUSTRY News The Harvard C Page 1 of 2 NEWS OPINION MAGAZINE SPORTS ARTS MEDIA FLYBY ABOUT US ADVERTISING TWITTER FACEBOOK RSS MOBILE SUBSCRIBE CLASSIFIEDS CAMBRIDGE MA WEATHER 37F Job Openings Search For Job Openings. Apply For a Position Today! www.findthenghtjob.com Pell Grants For Mothers Moms, Go Back To School Online. You May Qualify for Financial Aid! PellGrants,ClassesAndCareers.com Medical Assistant Classes Take Medical Assistant Classes 100% Online Financial Aid! www.Ass:stantDegrees.com AdChoices HUGO MUENSTERBERG LED LIFE OF GREAT MOST READ INDUSTRY 1. 15 Hottest Freshmen: All Summer Long 2. Jeremy Lin '10 Heads to City That Never Sleeps Noted Professor Produced Many Books and Carried on Extensive Research 3. Caples Contract Not Renewed by Harvard Work. Department of Athletics NO WRITER ATTRIBUTED 4. Business, Casual. Published: Monday, January 22. 1917 5. What Does This Mean? The Time is Now For Jeremy Lin 10 Like 0 tweet COMMENT EMAIL PRINT The following minute on the life and services of Professor Hugo Muenster-berg was placed upon the records of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at its last meeting: Hugo Muensterberg, Professor of Psychology, died in Cambridge on the 16th of December, HELP 1916. He was born in Danzig, West Prussia, June 1, 1863. After leaving the gymnasium in his native city, he studied philosophy in Leipzig under Wundt, among others, taking the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1885, and went on with physiological studies in Heidelberg (M.D., 1887). In 1887 he habilitated at Freiburg, in Baden, and in 1891 was made professor extraordinary We are looking for there. An acquaintance with William James, whom he met at a psychological congress in Paris an energetic and loving in 1889, led to a call to a professorship of experimental psychology in this University, and he began teaching here in the fall of 1892. The academic years 1895-96 and 1896-97 were spent in Nanny/Au Pair for our Freiburg again, on leave of absence, and on his return to Cambridge in 1897 he was appointed two boys. The older one Professor of Psychology. Professor Muensterberg received the honorary degree of A.M. from Harvard in 1901, LL.D. from Washington University, St. Louis, in 1904, and Litt.D. from is 3 and goes to preschool Lafayette College in 1907. He was president of the American Psychological Association in 1898 and the younger one is and of the American Philosophical Association in 1908, and was a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a member of the Washington Academy of Sciences. He had a 8 months. leading part in forming and carrying out the plans for the International Congress of Arts and Sciences at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904 and in the subsequent publication of its Salary will be $650 a week. proceedings. In 1910-11 he was the Harvard Exchange Professor at the University of Berlin. Contact: Muensterberg's fertility and enormous industry were conspicuous from the beginning. While still at Freiburg he published four parts of a theoretical and experimental work entitled kentjames7@gmail.com "Beitrage zur experimentellen Psychologie," and four other volumes on psychological subjects. His first years in Cambridge were mainly spent, beside the daily tasks of instruction, in developing the psychological laboratory and fostering research. To the students who resorted to Medical Assistant Course him for training in the new methods of experimental psychology he gave freely of time and Study At BTI & Qualify For Career As interest, and his fertile invention supplied many and varied problems for investigation. The Medical Assistants, Apply Online production of the laboratory steadily increased in volume and significance, and in 1903 www.berks.edu a medium of publication was established under Muensterberg's direction in the "Harvard x Ray Technician Schools Psychological Studies." The well-planned and equipped laboratory in Emerson Hall, opened in Get Matched To X Ray Technician Schools Near You. Search Now! 1905, was chiefly due to his efforts. www.collegesurfing.com His first American book appeared in 1889, a collection of essays entitled "Psychology and Life." Everest CollegeR Official Advance Your Career with Hands-On It was followed by more than 20 volumes besides a prodigious number of articles in Training at Everest College Today! periodicals. Of his more strictly scientific writings during this period the most important are go.Everest.edu "Grundzuge der Psychologie" (1900) the first volume of a largely planned work which was AdChoices never completed,--"Science and Idealims" (1906), "The Eternal Values" (1909), "Grundzuge der TAGS Psychotechnik" (1914). In the latter years of his life his interest turned more and more to the Arts Books Boston Cambridge College applications of psychology, the practical bearings of the science on education, law, medicine Columns Film Food and Drink Football http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1917/1/22/hugo-muensterberg-led-life-of-great/ 12/30/2011 HUGO MUENSTERBERG LED LIFE OF GREAT INDUSTRY News The Harvard C Page 2 of 2 and industry. To this series belong, "Psychotherapy" (1909), "Psychology and the For The Moment Harvard Square Teacher" (1910), "Psychology and Industrial Efficiency" (1913), with many occasional Men's Basketball Music publications. Muensterberg had a deep interest also in educational, social and political On Campus Op-Eds Politics problems, and wrote much upon them, from "American Traits" (1901) and "Die Protests Student Groups Student Life Amerikaner" (1904), translated (1905) "The Americans," to his recent books on "The War and America," "The Peace and America," and "Tomorrow" (1916). Visual Arts With this great productivity, he was a notable teacher not only of advanced students in the seminary or laboratory but of large classes of undergraduates whom from year to year he Who takes introduced to the elements of psychology. care of your We use KSL printers need for repair and someone managed A man of strong and self-confident opinions and positive expression, he was a kindly spirit, asap! print services to stay on hospitable, generous, appreciative of others. His mental energy seemed limitless, his industry budget. tireless, his optimism unquenchable. He exemplified his own ideal of productive scholarship, and carried to the grave with him plans for more books than most of us would think of achieving in a lifetime service@kslprinters.com 866-575-1988 COMMENT Privacy Policy I Rights and Permissions / Contact Us Corrections Subscriptions I RSS Archives Writers Copyright © 2011, The Harvard Crimson, Inc. Showing O comments Sort by Oldest first Subscribe by email Subscribe by RSS Add New Comment Optional: Login below. Type your comment here. Post as Trackback URL http://disqus.com/forums/t blog comments powered by DISQUS http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1917/1/22/hugo-muensterberg-led-life-of-great/ 12/30/2011 Untitled Document Page 1 of 3 Personal Biography Hugo Munsterberg, psychologist, was born in Danzig, Germany on June 1, 1863. His father, Moritz, was a merchant who bought and sold lumber. His mother, Anna, was an artist who continued her work while taking care of her four sons. The boys were encouraged in their love for books and music. The influence of this early artistic environment remained with him through his scholarly work. Not only did he play the cello, but he also wrote poetry. His passion for music and art influenced the development of his psychological theories. On August 7, 1887, he married Selma Oppler of Strassburg. Munsterberg was described as a person with a keen sense of humor, a warm heart and a generous spirit. Although appearing to be a large and intimidating man, he was very reserved especially when dealing with students. He stood firmly in his own ideas while remaining tolerant of other views. He did not participate in much physical activity, but he had great energy and was said to always be thinking. He was logical and clear in his thinking and loved beauty in every form. As a lecturer he was convincing and was always able to keep the audience involved. In philosophy, he was an idealist, but in psychology he held two principles to be true. These principles were that the belief of causal law held for mental phenomena as they were correlated with physiological processes and when he considered the mental from the viewpoint of values he believed in freedom. Hugo encountered internal turmoil with the outbreak of the first World War. A native to Germany, but loyal to the United States, Munsterberg felt he needed to make a choice. His loyalties to his Homeland outweighed his American loyalties and he became unconditionally allied with German http://www.earlham.edu/~dominel/personalbiography.htm 5/26/2005 Untitled Document Page 2 of 3 beliefs concerning the war. This sentiment sent him into further turmoil in that he was shunned while at Harvard. A complete explanation of how he was treated while at Harvard can be read in his Obituary. Above is a photograph of Munsterberg and his colleagues. The figure on the lower right is William James. Munsterberg is in the center. It is believed that Josiah Royce is next to James and that Gerorge Palmer is on the other side of Munsterberg. The story in Hothersall states, "A painting over the stairway in Harvard's Emerson Hall shows William James, Josiah Royce, George Herbert Palmer, and a vacant chair. That chair was to have been occupied by Munsterberg, but his likeness was blocked out after his death (Roback, 1952, p. 208)" (Hothersall, p. 173-4). The implication is that Munsterberg http://www.earlham.edu/~dominel/personalbiography.htm 5/26/2005 Untitled Document Page 3 of 3 was painted out because of his stand on Germany during WWI. However, there is some indication that Munsterberg was not painted out, but rather that he had such definite opinions about how he should be painted that the artist did not include him in the painting. Below is a message from Nicole Barenbaum of the University of the South at Sewanee. "It seems that two rumors are perpetuated in this account of the Harvard painting. Hothersall (1995) claims that Munsterberg "literally" disappeared from the painting, and he cites Roback's History of American Psychology (1952, p. 208) as his source. Actually Roback (1952) said this was a "story" that was circulating; he didn't say whether he believed it. In the second edition he added the following footnote: In a private communication (May 30, 1963) to the present author, Professor W. E. Hocking tells a different story. "The 'empty-chair' painting was definitely not 'painted out.' The point was that Winifred Rieber, who did the painting, and who carefully took private sketches of the four subjects, found Hugo very decided about how he should be painted--he had his own theories of aesthetics--and she felt that she couldn't reconcile them with her own, and SO had to omit him." It is well and fortunate that we still have with us the sprightly nonagenarian; and his statement should scotch the rumor, which had spread even abroad, once and for all. (Roback, 1964, p. 228) Home Professional Clinical Applied Eyewitness I/O Timeline Related Obituary References http://www.earlham.edu/~dominel/personalbiography.htm 5/26/2005