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To fully appreciate a subject it's important to be aware of the key historical figures who helped
shape its identity. This article identifies a number of individuals who did just that within the field of
forensic psychology.
Wilhelm Wundt
In terms of a tangible landmark in the history of forensic psychology the most significant
development was the founding of the first psychological laboratory in 1873 by Wilhelm Wundt in
Leipzig Germany.
Wilhelm Wundt championed and refined the experimental method within psychology. This rigorous
methodology provided the framework for a whole host of applied psychological investigations,
among them certain legal issues. For instance, a number of experiments were conducted into the
nature of witness testimony, the findings of which highlighted the effects of situational and
individual differences; which incidentally are still being examined today.
Hugo Munsterberg
An engaging and controversial figure Hugo Munsterberg was a key figure in the history of forensic
psychology. He studied under Wundt at Leipzg before moving to the USA in 1892 to set up an
experimental laboratory at Harvard; the principal aim of which was to introduce applied psychology
into the courtroom.
He conducted research into witness memory, false confessions and the role of hypnosis in court.
One of his earliest experiments tested subjects' ability to discriminate between sounds heard in
quick succession. Almost sixty years later his findings were included as part of the preparation for
the trial (which for obvious reasons never actually took place) of Lee Harvey Oswald to help
address the question of how many shots had been fired during the assassination of President
Kennedy.
William Marston
Another important visionary in the history of forensic psychology. Marston was a student under
Munsterberg who conducted research into the physiological effects of deception i.e. lie detector
tests.
Alfred Binet
In 1889 Alfred Binet co-founded the first psychological laboratory in France. Having studied
medicine and law he was interested in how psychology could be applied within the legal system,
particularly in relation to witness testimony. However, it was Binet's work into intellectual
assessment that was to have the greatest forensic impact. Working alongside Theodore Simon, he
developed the first psychometric test of intelligence, the principles of which proved the basis for
later forensic assessment. For instance, in the US the Wechsler Intelligence test for children was
regularly employed as part of proceedings within juvenile court.
Later, group testing became extremely popular, particularly within the armed services as a way of
selecting recruits and before long objective tests were being employed across a host of
professions and for a variety of purposes as a means of measuring behavioural traits, skills,
attitudes etc. Significantly for the practice of forensic psychology this included the judiciary who
began allowing test results to be presented as evidence in court.
For a comprehensive review of the history and all major topic areas within forensic psychology
visit http://www.all-about-forensic-psychology.com/
Having worked as a lecturer in psychology in the UK, I recently moved to sunny Spain with my
family, where I now work as a distance learning tutor and research dissertation supervisor.
Since 2000, I've been involved in collaborative research with teams of forensic scientists in the
UK, US and Canada.
Keep up-to-date with the world of forensic psychology by reading the forensic psychology blog.
This regularly updated blog addresses the most common issues and questions raised by those
thinking of or currently studying and working in the field. Among the topics covered are career and
study options, forensic job opportunites, conference listings, internships, forensic research and
psychological research methods.
http://student-guide-to-forensic-psychology.blogspot.com/
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