Final answer:
The historical figures in psychology include Margaret Floy Washburn, Mary Whiton Calkins, Sigmund Freud, Wilhelm Wundt, and Francis Cecil Sumner. These psychologists made significant contributions to the field, shaping its paradigms and progression as a science.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prominent historical figures who have contributed greatly to the field of psychology include Margaret Floy Washburn (1871-1939), Mary Whiton Calkins (1863-1930), and Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). Margaret Floy Washburn was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in psychology with research focusing on animal behavior and cognition. Mary Whiton Calkins, who despite completing all requirements was denied a PhD by Harvard University, made significant contributions to memory research and established one of the earliest experimental psychology labs in the United States. Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist, developed psychoanalytic theory, exploring the role of the unconscious and early childhood experiences. Other noteworthy figures include Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920), the German scientist who is often referred to as the first person to be labeled as a psychologist, and Francis Cecil Sumner (1895-1954), the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in psychology. These individuals are recognized for their foundational work that has shaped the direction and paradigms of psychology throughout its history.