Final answer:
Until the mid-20th century, clinical psychology was primarily a discipline focused on treatment rather than scientific research. It evolved from a 'womanless' science to a diverse field influenced by social changes and the contributions of many after the 1960s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The history of assessment in clinical psychology indicates that until the middle part of the 20th century, clinical psychology was almost entirely a discipline focused on treatment rather than research. Clinical psychology, as an area of practice, mainly revolved around the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders and other problematic patterns of behavior. Renowned figures like Wilhelm Wundt and William James are credited with establishing psychology as a scientific discipline separate from philosophy, although clinical psychology as we understand it today did not gain a strong research component until later.
Initially, psychology had stronger roots in philosophy, with those interested in the mind engaging in philosophical inquiry. With the advances of the 19th century, psychology began to establish itself as a science, with Wundt's structuralism emphasizing breaking cognitive experiences into their individual parts, often through introspection. It's interesting to note that psychology was, for a long time, a 'womanless' science, with few women practitioners and subjects, clearly impacting the scope of its studies. As social changes took root in the 1960s, a more diverse group of psychologists began to contribute to the field, expanding its boundaries beyond clinical and counseling psychology to other areas like health psychology, forensic psychology, and industrial and organizational psychology.