On the failed institutionalization of German comparative psychology prior to 1940.
Despite an illustrious history marked by the work of Wolfgang Köhler and Mathilde Hertz, among others-the significance of which still resonates in different fields of animal behavior research-and the fact that interesting work in the field continues, comparative psychology has no official status within German psychology. A partial explanation for this lack of official representation might derive from unsuccessful attempts historically to secure institutional status. "Gifted" animals served as much of the impetus for the beginning of a scientific animal psychology in Germany and contributed to its institutionalization by providing the incentive for the establishment of organizations dealing with animal psychology. Although initially serving as a catalyst for an interdisciplinary exchange on animal psychology, the case of Clever Hans was also exploited to help psychology gain institutional status in the field, albeit without lasting success.
Kressley-Mba
Regina A
RA
Department of Developmental Psychology at the University of Frankfurt, Germany. Kressley-Mba@psych.uni-frankfurt.de
D000818:Animals; D005858:Germany; D049673:History, 20th Century; D028683:National Socialism / Q000266:history; D011587:Psychology, Comparative / Q000266:history*; D011589:Psychology, Experimental / Q000266:history*