Psychologists

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A psychologist studies human behavior and mental thought processes through systematic observation. Ensuring the mental well-being of people is one of the sole functional areas and responsibility of a psychologist. They may work as motivational trainers, help to build organizational skills and help students cope with stress, thus offering their services to help shape human personalities. A psychologist is thus any licensed person, trained and adequately qualified to provide mental-health treatment. There are many types of psychologists, including clinical psychologists, school psychologists, organizational psychologists, sports psychologists, criminal psychologists and rehabilitation psychologists, among others. The earliest developments in the field of psychology were during the time of the early Greeks. In the 17th century, Rene Descartes, a French philosopher proclaimed that the mind and the body were separate entities. The concept of psychology has ancient roots and did not evolve into a full-fledged science, until the year 1879, when the first psychology lab was established. Here is a compilation of a list of famous psychologists. Explore and learn more interesting facts and details about them through their biographies that include trivia, interesting facts, timeline and life history.

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 1 
Carl Jung
(Swiss Psychiatrist, Psychoanalyst and Founder of Analytical Psychology)
Carl Jung
14
Birthdate: July 26, 1875
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kesswil, Switzerland
Died: June 6, 1961

Widely regarded as the father of analytical psychology, Carl Jung is one of the most important contributors to symbolization and dream analysis. The concepts of socionics and a popular psychometric instrument called Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) were developed from Jung's theory. Apart from working as a psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, Carl Jung was also an artist, craftsman, builder, and prolific writer.

 2 
B. F. Skinner
(American psychologist)
B. F. Skinner
12
Birthdate: March 20, 1904
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: August 18, 1990

B. F. Skinner was an American behaviorist, psychologist, inventor, author, and social philosopher. Skinner, who taught psychology at Harvard University, is credited with founding a school of thought in psychology called the experimental analysis of behavior. Regarded as a pioneer of modern behaviorism, Skinner was named the 20th century's most influential psychologist, according to a survey conducted in June 2002. 

 3 
Jean Piaget
(Swiss Psychologist Known for His Work on Child Development)
Jean Piaget
16
Birthdate: August 9, 1896
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Neuchâtel, Switzerland
Died: September 16, 1980
Swiss psychologist and academic Jean Piaget is remembered for his work on child development and genetic epistemology, consisting of his theory of cognitive development. He also established the International Center for Genetic Epistemology and was the director of the International Bureau of Education. He was an honorary Harvard doctorate.
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 4 
Abraham Maslow
(American Psychologist Who was Known for Creating Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs)
Abraham Maslow
12
Birthdate: April 1, 1908
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died: June 8, 1970

Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist best remembered for creating an idea in psychology called Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Maslow, who advocated self-actualization, is also credited with co-founding the school of transpersonal psychology. In 1967, he was adjudged Humanist of the Year by the popular non-profit organization, American Humanist Association.

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 5 
William James
(Philosopher, Psychologist)
William James
10
Birthdate: January 11, 1842
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States
Died: August 26, 1910

William James was an American psychologist and philosopher. Widely regarded as the father of American psychology and one of the most influential American philosophers, James was the first educator in the United States to offer a course in psychology. He is also credited with co-founding a psychological school of thought called functional psychology and establishing a philosophical school called pragmatism.

 6 
Ivan Pavlov
(Physiologist)
Ivan Pavlov
6
Birthdate: September 26, 1849
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Ryazan, Russia
Died: February 27, 1936
Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov is best remembered for his research in classical conditioning. He became the first Russian Nobel laureate after winning the 1904 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his study of the physiology of digestion. His experiment on conditioned reflex using dogs is still studied in colleges.
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 7 
Erik Erikson
(Psychoanalyst Best Known for His Theory on Psychological Development of Human Beings)
Erik Erikson
8
Birthdate: June 15, 1902
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Frankfurt, Germany
Died: May 12, 1994

Erik Erikson was a German-American psychoanalyst and developmental psychologist best remembered for developing a theory on the psychological development of humans. He is credited with coining the term identity crisis, the failure to achieve ego identity. Also a prolific writer, Erikson won a US National Book Award and a Pulitzer Prize for his book Gandhi's Truth.

 8 
Carl Rogers
(Psychologist)
Carl Rogers
8
Birthdate: January 8, 1902
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Oak Park
Died: February 4, 1987

Psychologist Carl Rogers was the first to introduce a client-centric approach to psychotherapy and addressed the patient as the client. Besides working on troubled children, he also taught at various institutes, such as the University of Chicago. On Becoming a Person remains one of his best-known books.

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 9 
Lev Vygotsky
(Soviet Psychologist Known for His Work on Psychological Development in Children)
Lev Vygotsky
8
Birthdate: November 17, 1896
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Orsha, Belarus
Died: June 11, 1934

Lev Vygotsky was a Soviet psychologist best remembered for his groundbreaking work on developmental psychology in children. He is also remembered for his work on the relationship between thought and language, which remains influential to this day. A man with various interests, Vygotsky's work covered topics like the philosophy of science and the psychology of art.

 10 
Albert Bandura
(One of the Most Influential Psychologists of All Time)
Albert Bandura
8
Birthdate: December 4, 1925
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Mundare, Canada
Died: July 26, 2021

Albert Bandura is a Canadian-American psychologist who has made significant contributions to several fields of psychology, such as personality psychology, therapy, and social cognitive theory. Regarded as the greatest living psychologist, Bandura is also counted among the most influential psychologists ever. He has been honored with over 16 honorary degrees. In 2016, Albert Bandura received the National Medal of Science.

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 11 
John B. Watson
(Psychologist)
John B. Watson
12
Birthdate: January 9, 1878
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Travelers Rest, South Carolina, United States
Died: September 25, 1958

John B. Watson was the first to introduce the theory of behaviorism to psychology. He believed human behavior, like animal behavior, should be studied under objective and experimental conditions. One of his experiments included conditioning the fear of white rats into an 11-year-old boy he named Little Albert.

 12 
Alfred Adler
(Austrian Psychotherapist and Founder of the School of ‘Individual Psychology’)
Alfred Adler
8
Birthdate: February 7, 1870
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, Vienna, Austria
Died: May 28, 1937

Alfred Adler was an Austrian psychotherapist and medical doctor. He is credited with founding the school of individual psychology. He was also one of the founders of the psychoanalytic movement along with Sigmund Freud and Freud's colleagues. In 2002, a survey conducted by Review of General Psychology named Adler among the 20th century's most eminent psychologists.

 13 
Wilhelm Wundt
(Philosopher)
Wilhelm Wundt
6
Birthdate: August 16, 1832
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Mannheim, Germany
Died: August 31, 1920

Wilhelm Wundt was a German physiologist, professor, and philosopher. He is often counted among the founders of modern psychology and is widely considered the father of experimental psychology. He is also credited with founding the first laboratory for psychological research, which he founded at the University of Leipzig in 1879.

 14 
Stanley Milgram
(Psychologist, University teacher, Sociologist)
Stanley Milgram
12
Birthdate: August 15, 1933
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: New York City
Died: December 20, 1984

Social psychologist Stanley Milgram was inspired by the suffering of the Jews during the Holocaust to understand what drove people to harm others, and thus created his Milgram experiment. He also taught at prestigious institutes such as Harvard and Yale. His studies also included the six degrees of separation concept.

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 15 
Philip Zimbardo
(Psychologist Best Known for His 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment)
Philip Zimbardo
12
Birthdate: March 23, 1933
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States

Psychologist and Stanford professor Philip Zimbardo is best known for his Stanford prison experiment, which proved how prisoners get abusive due to situational factors. He is also known for his books The Lucifer Effect and The Time Paradox and has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychological Foundation.

 16 
Daniel Kahneman
(Winner of 2002 Nobel Prize in Economics for His Work on the Psychology of Judgment and Decision-Making)
Daniel Kahneman
14
Birthdate: March 5, 1934
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel

Daniel Kahneman is an Israeli economist and psychologist. He was honored with the 2002 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his work on behavioral economics. In 2011, Kahneman was named among the top global thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine. In 2015, Daniel Kahneman was ranked seventh in the most influential economist in the world list published by The Economist.

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 17 
Jordan Peterson
(Canadian Clinical Psychologist and Author)
Jordan Peterson
28
Birthdate: June 12, 1962
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Edmonton, Canada

Canadian clinical psychologist, writer and YouTuber, Jordan Peterson became internationally known in the 2010s for his views on cultural and political issues. He propogates his views and ideas primarily through YouTube and podcasts. He has shared many videos and podcasts that have received millions of views.

 18 
Anna Freud
(British Psychoanalyst and Founder of Psychoanalytic Child Psychology)
Anna Freud
11
Birthdate: December 3, 1895
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Vienna, Austria
Died: October 9, 1982

Anna Freud was a British psychoanalyst. The daughter of Sigmund Freud, Anna followed in the footsteps of her father and made important contributions to the field of psychoanalysis. Alongside Melanie Klein and Hermine Hug-Hellmuth, Anna Freud is counted among the founders of psychoanalytic child psychology. Her work and contributions were featured in a documentary titled The Century of the Self.

 19 
Sigmund Freud
(Neurologist & the Founder of Psychoanalysis)
Sigmund Freud
20
Birthdate: May 6, 1856
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Příbor, Czechia
Died: September 23, 1939

Regarded as the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud was a neurologist. Despite suffering criticism, psychoanalysis remains influential in the fields of psychology and psychiatry; such is the influence Freud has on humanities. Scholars believe that Freud is one of the most influential personalities of the 20th century and that his impact is comparable to that of Marxism and Darwinism.

 20 
Karen Horney
(German Psychoanalyst Best Known for Founding Feminist Psychology in Response to Freud’s Theory of Penis Envy)
Karen Horney
11
Birthdate: September 16, 1885
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Blankenese, Hamburg, Germany
Died: December 4, 1952

Remembered for her pioneering work on feminist psychology, Karen Horney studied medicine at a time when women weren’t allowed in universities. Going against Sigmund Freud’s concept of penis envy, she suggested the idea of womb envy. She believed psychological differences weren’t rooted in gender but rather depended on the socio-cultural influences.

 21 
Martin Seligman
(Psychologist)
Martin Seligman
7
Birthdate: August 12, 1942
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Albany, New York, United States
 22 
Timothy Francis Leary
(American Psychologist and Writer Known for His Strong Advocacy of Psychedelic Drugs)
Timothy Francis Leary
8
Birthdate: October 22, 1920
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Springfield, Massachusetts, United States
Died: May 31, 1996

Psychologist and former Harvard professor Timothy Leary was an advocate of psychedelic drugs. His research experiments included the controversial Concord Prison Experiment and Marsh Chapel Experiment. After being fired from Harvard for his actions, he continued promoting his theories through catchphrases such as “turn on, tune in, drop out.”

 23 
John Dewey
(Philosopher)
John Dewey
8
Birthdate: October 20, 1859
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Burlington, Vermont, United States
Died: June 1, 1952

A staunch advocate of progressive education and liberalism, the American philosopher and psychologist was the founder of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. John Dewey’s famous writings included The Reflex Arc Concept in Psychology and Human Nature and Conduct. According to him, passion for knowledge and intellectual curiosity were central to a teacher. He called himself a democratic socialist.

 24 
Steven Pinker
(Cognitive Psychologist and Advocate of Evolutionary Psychology and the Computational Theory of Mind)
Steven Pinker
6
Birthdate: September 18, 1954
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Montreal, Canada

Steven Pinker is a Canadian-American linguist, cognitive psychologist, and popular science author. He is also a supporter of the computational theory of mind and evolutionary psychology. His works have earned him awards from organizations like the National Academy of Sciences, the American Psychological Association, and the American Humanist Association. In 2013, he was named in Prospect magazine's World Thinkers list.

 25 
Kurt Lewin
(Psychologist)
Kurt Lewin
7
Birthdate: September 9, 1890
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mogilno, Poland
Died: February 12, 1947
Legendary social psychologist Kurt Lewin is remembered for his field theory of behavior. He was a pioneer in the research on group dynamics. While he had served in the army in World War I, an injury made him get back to university to complete his PhD.
 26 
Albert Ellis
(Psychologist, Psychotherapist)
Albert Ellis
5
Birthdate: September 27, 1913
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: July 24, 2007
 27 
Slavoj Žižek
(Slovene Philosopher and Cultural Theorist)
Slavoj Žižek
8
Birthdate: March 21, 1949
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ljubljana, Slovenia

Slavoj Žižek is a Slovenian philosopher whose works in subjects, such as continental philosophy, Marxism, Hegelianism, and psychoanalysis, has gained him international influence. Often dubbed a celebrity philosopher and Elvis of cultural theory, Žižek was named in Foreign Policy's Top 100 Global Thinkers list in 2012. His work has had an impact on widespread public audiences and academic.

 28 
John Bowlby
(Psychologist)
John Bowlby
3
Birthdate: February 26, 1907
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bournemouth, London, England
Died: September 2, 1990
 29 
William Moulton Marston
6
Birthdate: May 9, 1893
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Saugus, Massachusetts
Died: May 2, 1947
Psychologist William Moulton Marston, also known as “Charles Moulton,” is remembered for inventing a precursor of the lie detector, along with his wife, Elizabeth Holloway. He was also a comic book author, who created the superheroine Wonder Woman. He was in a polyamorous relationship with his wife and Olive Byrne.
 30 
Veronica Porché Ali
(Muhammad Ali’s Ex-Wife, Psychologist)
Veronica Porché Ali
8
Birthdate: December 16, 1955
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States
 31 
Alfred Binet
(Psychologist, Educationist)
Alfred Binet
3
Birthdate: July 8, 1857
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Nice
Died: October 18, 1911
 32 
Jacques Lacan
(Psychoanalyst, Psychiatrist)
Jacques Lacan
4
Birthdate: April 13, 1901
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: September 9, 1981
French psychoanalyst and psychiatrist Jacques Lacan is remembered for his philosophical approach that explored Freudian concepts, to which he applied elements of structuralism and anthropology to create his own concepts. His controversial suggestions led to his expulsion from the International Psychoanalytic Association. One of his key concepts was “Return to Freud.”
 33 
Jerome Bruner
(Psychologist, University teacher)
Jerome Bruner
3
Birthdate: October 1, 1915
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York City
Died: June 5, 2016
 34 
Paul Ekman
(Psychologist, Anthropologist, Sociologist, Non-fiction writer, University teacher)
Paul Ekman
7
Birthdate: February 15, 1934
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
 35 
Wilhelm Reich
(One of the Most Radical Figures in the History of Psychiatry)
Wilhelm Reich
4
Birthdate: March 24, 1897
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dobryanychi, Ukraine
Died: November 3, 1957

Wilhelm Reich was an Austrian psychoanalyst and doctor of medicine. He is credited with shaping innovations like body psychotherapy, primal therapy, and Gestalt therapy. Also a writer, Reich's books like The Sexual Revolution and The Mass Psychology of Fascism influenced generations of intellectuals. Also a controversial figure, some of Wilhelm Reich's practices caused a disturbance in the psychoanalytic community.

 36 
Gordon Allport
(Psychologist, Academic, University teacher, Non-fiction writer)
Gordon Allport
5
Birthdate: November 11, 1897
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Montezuma
Died: October 9, 1967
 37 
Gwynne Gilford
4
Birthdate: July 27, 1946
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States
 38 
Theodor W. Adorno
(German Philosopher, Sociologist, Psychologist and Composer)
Theodor W. Adorno
4
Birthdate: September 11, 1903
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Frankfurt, Germany
Died: August 6, 1969

One of the most prominent intellectuals of the 20th century, Theodor Adorno was a pioneer of the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory and despised the culture industry. Born to a singer mother, the German sociologist grew up amid music and could even play Beethoven on the piano by 12.

 39 
Harry Harlow
(Psychologist)
Harry Harlow
4
Birthdate: October 31, 1905
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Fairfield, Iowa, U.S.
Died: December 6, 1981

Psychologist Harry Harlow proved that monkeys raised without their mothers exhibited abnormal psychological development. He had a long association with the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he conducted most of his experiments. He was criticized for using dramatic names, such as “pit of despair,” for his experimental devices.

 40 
Amos Tversky
(Psychologist, Economist, University teacher)
Amos Tversky
9
Birthdate: March 16, 1937
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Haifa
Died: June 2, 1996

Amos Tversky was an Israeli cognitive and mathematical psychologist. He is known for his contribution to the discovery of systematic human cognitive bias. The son of a social worker and politician, he received his doctorate from the University of Michigan before embarking on an academic career. He worked closely with his longtime collaborator, Daniel Kahneman, and wrote several papers together. 

 41 
G. Stanley Hall
(Psychologist, Science writer)
G. Stanley Hall
3
Birthdate: February 1, 1844
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Massachusetts
Died: April 24, 1924
 42 
Henry Murray
(Psychologist)
Henry Murray
4
Birthdate: May 13, 1893
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Died: June 23, 1988
 43 
France Nuyen
(Actress)
France Nuyen
4
Birthdate: July 31, 1939
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Marseille, France
 44 
Laura Schlessinger
(Psychologist, Radio personality)
Laura Schlessinger
4
Birthdate: January 16, 1947
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, United States
 45 
James Dobson
(One of America's Most Influential Evangelical Leaders Ever)
James Dobson
3
Birthdate: April 21, 1936
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States

The founder of the Focus on the Family, Dr. James Dobson is a qualified psychologist and has also had long stints with a children’s hospital and as a professor of pediatrics. Known for his popular radio program Family Talk, he has penned countless books, such as the bestseller Bringing Up Girls.

 46 
Jonathan Haidt
(Psychologist)
Jonathan Haidt
4
Birthdate: October 19, 1963
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: New York City, New York, U.S.
 47 
Gabriela Rodríguez de Bukele
(Educator)
Gabriela Rodríguez de Bukele
3
Birthdate: March 31, 1985
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: San Salvador, El Salvador
 48 
Lawrence Kohlberg
(Psychologist best known for his theory of stages of moral development)
Lawrence Kohlberg
9
Birthdate: October 25, 1927
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Bronxville, New York, United States
Died: January 19, 1987
 49 
Aaron T. Beck
(Psychiatrist, University teacher, Psychologist)
Aaron T. Beck
3
Birthdate: July 18, 1921
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Providence
 50 
Raymond Cattell
(Psychologist)
Raymond Cattell
3
Birthdate: March 20, 1905
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: West Bromwich, England
Died: February 2, 1998