Final answer:
The Principles of Psychology was written by William James in 1890 and is considered a cornerstone of psychological study, shaping the field's development apart from its philosophical origins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Principles of Psychology is a foundational text in the field of psychology, written by the first American psychologist, William James. This seminal work was published in 1890 and explores various theories related to the workings of the human mind. Notably, James views psychology as the scientific study of conscious experience, analyzing the processes of thought and cognition.
James’s contemporary, Wilhelm Wundt, is credited for being one of the first individuals to refer to himself as a psychologist, establishing experimental psychology with his book Principles of Physiological Psychology in 1873. However, it was William James’s The Principles of Psychology which provided a broad framework for understanding the mind and laid the groundwork for future psychological theories, distinguishing it from the philosophical roots of the subject.
Women have notably contributed to psychology with lesser acknowledgment. For instance, Margaret Floy Washburn’s The Animal Mind became a significant comparative psychology textbook, while Mary Whiton Calkins made profound studies in memory despite her doctorate being denied by Harvard University due to her gender.