Harvey A. Carr
Encyclopedia
Harvey A. Carr was an American Psychologist and developer of functionalism
. Along with John Dewey
and James Rowland Angell
, he is credited with the development of functionalism as a school of thought, leading American psychology toward a functionalist approach. He was also a former president of the American Psychological Association
and past professor emeritus of the University of Chicago
.
Carr attended the University of Colorado
as a student of psychology with Arthur Allin. There he received his Bachelor of Science
in 1901 and his Master of Science
in 1902. He taught at a high school in Texas, the State Normal School in Michigan, and the Pratt Institute
in Brooklyn, New York from 1905 to 1908.
Between 1907 and 1908, Carr and John B. Watson
conducted a study called the Kerplunk experiment
.
Upon returning to Chicago he studied experimental psychology
with Dewey and Watson at the University of Chicago. He would later study under Angell. In 1905, he received his Ph.D.
, with a doctoral dissertation on A visual illusion of motion during eye closure. He replaced John Watson as supervisor of the animal laboratory. In 1921, Angell left Chicago for Yale
and Carr informally took the position as head of the psychology department. The appointment was formalized two years later in 1923. Under his leadership Chicago functionalism flourished, reaching the peak of its popularity. In 1925, he published Psychology: A Study of Mental Activity which would organize the functionalist ideas.
He began teaching in Chicago from 1926 to 1938 where he directed the experimental psychology
laboratory and in 1926 he served as President of the American Psychological Association. He became Professor Emeritus in 1938.
Functional psychology
Functional psychology or functionalism refers to a general psychological philosophy that considers mental life and behavior in terms of active adaptation to the person's environment. As such, it provides the general basis for developing psychological theories not readily testable by controlled...
. Along with John Dewey
John Dewey
John Dewey was an American philosopher, psychologist and educational reformer whose ideas have been influential in education and social reform. Dewey was an important early developer of the philosophy of pragmatism and one of the founders of functional psychology...
and James Rowland Angell
James Rowland Angell
James Rowland Angell was an American psychologist and educator. He served as the president of Yale University between 1921 and 1937...
, he is credited with the development of functionalism as a school of thought, leading American psychology toward a functionalist approach. He was also a former president of the American Psychological Association
American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association is the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States. It is the world's largest association of psychologists with around 154,000 members including scientists, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. The APA...
and past professor emeritus of the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
.
Carr attended the University of Colorado
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
as a student of psychology with Arthur Allin. There he received his Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in 1901 and his Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in 1902. He taught at a high school in Texas, the State Normal School in Michigan, and the Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute is a private art college in New York City located in Brooklyn, New York, with satellite campuses in Manhattan and Utica. Pratt is one of the leading undergraduate art schools in the United States and offers programs in Architecture, Graphic Design, History of Art and Design,...
in Brooklyn, New York from 1905 to 1908.
Between 1907 and 1908, Carr and John B. Watson
John B. Watson
John Broadus Watson was an American psychologist who established the psychological school of behaviorism. Watson promoted a change in psychology through his address Psychology as the Behaviorist Views it which was given at Columbia University in 1913...
conducted a study called the Kerplunk experiment
Kerplunk experiment
The kerplunk experiment was a famous stimulus and response experiment conducted on rats and demonstrates the ability to turn voluntary motor responses into a conditioned response. The purpose of the experiment was to get kinaesthetic feedback rather than guidance through external stimuli through...
.
Upon returning to Chicago he studied experimental psychology
Experimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
with Dewey and Watson at the University of Chicago. He would later study under Angell. In 1905, he received his Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
, with a doctoral dissertation on A visual illusion of motion during eye closure. He replaced John Watson as supervisor of the animal laboratory. In 1921, Angell left Chicago for Yale
YALE
RapidMiner, formerly YALE , is an environment for machine learning, data mining, text mining, predictive analytics, and business analytics. It is used for research, education, training, rapid prototyping, application development, and industrial applications...
and Carr informally took the position as head of the psychology department. The appointment was formalized two years later in 1923. Under his leadership Chicago functionalism flourished, reaching the peak of its popularity. In 1925, he published Psychology: A Study of Mental Activity which would organize the functionalist ideas.
He began teaching in Chicago from 1926 to 1938 where he directed the experimental psychology
Experimental psychology
Experimental psychology is a methodological approach, rather than a subject, and encompasses varied fields within psychology. Experimental psychologists have traditionally conducted research, published articles, and taught classes on neuroscience, developmental psychology, sensation, perception,...
laboratory and in 1926 he served as President of the American Psychological Association. He became Professor Emeritus in 1938.