Zing-Yang Kuo
Encyclopedia
Kuo Zing-yang was a world-renowned Chinese
experimental
and physiological
psychologist
. He was a renowned educator and is also notable as having been the President of Zhejiang University
.
, Guangdong Province in 1898. Kuo studied at Fudan University
in Shanghai. In 1918, Kuo went to study in the United States
. In 1923, Kuo obtained PhD from the University of California, Berkeley (UC, Berkeley)
at age 25.
Kuo went back to China
, and founded the Department of Psychology at Fudan University in 1924. Kuo was a professor, the Vice-president; and from Apr 1924 to Nov 1925, the acting President of Fudan University. From 1927 to 1936, Kuo taught at National Central University
and Zhejiang University. From 1933 to 1936, Kuo was the President of Zhejiang University
, and did the most important research of his academic career - about animal's behavior
epigenetics
.
In Dec 1935, the December 9 Movement broke out, which further arose large student strike
in Zhejiang University. There were some severe conflicts between Kuo and some students and faculty, and Kuo was described as "autocratic" in handling this incident. Even Chiang Kai-shek
was shocked and intervened in, thus Kuo sadly resigned from his university president position.
From 1936 to 1945, Kuo was a visiting scholar
to USA, and did research and lectured in several American universities. Kuo was a visiting professor of UC Berkeley, Yale University
and the University of Rochester
, and a researcher at Carnegie Institution in Washington, D.C..
From 1946 to 1970, Kuo resided in Kowloon
, Hong Kong. Kuo was a trustee
of the University of Hong Kong. Kuo died in Hong Kong on 14 Aug 1970 at age 73.
Chinese people
The term Chinese people may refer to any of the following:*People with Han Chinese ethnicity ....
experimental
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,...
and physiological
Physiological psychology
Physiological psychology is a subdivision of behavioral neuroscience that studies the neural mechanisms of perception and behavior through direct manipulation of the brains of nonhuman animal subjects in controlled experiments...
psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
. He was a renowned educator and is also notable as having been the President of Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University
Zhejiang University , sometimes referred to as Zheda, is a national university in China. Founded in 1897, Zhejiang University is one of China's oldest institutions of higher education...
.
Biography
Kuo was born in ShantouShantou
Shantou , historically known as Swatow or Suátao, is a prefecture-level city on the eastern coast of Guangdong province, People's Republic of China, with a total population of 5,391,028 as of 2010 and an administrative area of...
, Guangdong Province in 1898. Kuo studied at Fudan University
Fudan University
Fudan University , located in Shanghai, is one of the oldest and most selective universities in China, and is a member of the C9 League. Its institutional predecessor was founded in 1905, shortly before the end of China's imperial Qing dynasty...
in Shanghai. In 1918, Kuo went to study in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 1923, Kuo obtained PhD from the University of California, Berkeley (UC, Berkeley)
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
at age 25.
Kuo went back to China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, and founded the Department of Psychology at Fudan University in 1924. Kuo was a professor, the Vice-president; and from Apr 1924 to Nov 1925, the acting President of Fudan University. From 1927 to 1936, Kuo taught at National Central University
National Central University
National Central University is a national comprehensive university in Taiwan .National Central University was founded in 1915 and originated in 258 CE at Nanjing, China. After NCU in Nanjing was renamed Nanjing University in 1949, NCU was re-established in Taiwan in 1962...
and Zhejiang University. From 1933 to 1936, Kuo was the President of Zhejiang University
Presidents of Zhejiang University
-Qiushi Academy - Zhejiang Advanced College period:-National 3rd Sun Yat-sen University - National Chekiang University period :Chekiang University or National Chekiang University is also known as the University of Chekiang...
, and did the most important research of his academic career - about animal's behavior
Behavior
Behavior or behaviour refers to the actions and mannerisms made by organisms, systems, or artificial entities in conjunction with its environment, which includes the other systems or organisms around as well as the physical environment...
epigenetics
Epigenetics
In biology, and specifically genetics, epigenetics is the study of heritable changes in gene expression or cellular phenotype caused by mechanisms other than changes in the underlying DNA sequence – hence the name epi- -genetics...
.
In Dec 1935, the December 9 Movement broke out, which further arose large student strike
Student strike
A student strike occurs when students enrolled at a teaching institution such as a school, college or university refuse to go to class. This form of strike action is often used as a negotiating tactic in order to put pressure on the governing body of the university, particularly in countries where...
in Zhejiang University. There were some severe conflicts between Kuo and some students and faculty, and Kuo was described as "autocratic" in handling this incident. Even Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of 20th century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin....
was shocked and intervened in, thus Kuo sadly resigned from his university president position.
From 1936 to 1945, Kuo was a visiting scholar
Visiting scholar
In the world of academia, a visiting scholar or visiting academic is a scholar from an institution who visits a host university, where he or she is projected to teach , lecture , or perform research on a topic the visitor is valued for...
to USA, and did research and lectured in several American universities. Kuo was a visiting professor of UC Berkeley, Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
, and a researcher at Carnegie Institution in Washington, D.C..
From 1946 to 1970, Kuo resided in Kowloon
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
, Hong Kong. Kuo was a trustee
Trustee
Trustee is a legal term which, in its broadest sense, can refer to any person who holds property, authority, or a position of trust or responsibility for the benefit of another...
of the University of Hong Kong. Kuo died in Hong Kong on 14 Aug 1970 at age 73.
Works
- Chapter 3: From Watsonian Bahaviorism to Behavior Epigenetics (by Zing-Yang Kuo).
- Book: The Dynamics of Behavior Development: An Epigenetic View; by Gilbert Gottlieb, Zing-Yang Kuo; June 1976.
- Book: The Dynamics of Behavior Development; by Zing-Yang Kuo; Random House Press, 1967.
- Book: Instinct;1961. Princeton, NJ:Van Nostrand.
Extra materials
- “To be a big shot or to be shot”: Zing-Yang Kuo’s other career (by Geoffrey H. Blowers, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong)
- History of Psychology - Abstract
- Zing-Yang Kuo (biography)
- Robert Epstein: Comparative Psychology as the Praxist Views It; Journal of Comparative Psychology. Vol 101(3), Sep 1987, 249-253.
- Gottlieb, G. (1972): Zing-Yang Kuo: Radical scientific philosopher and innovative experimentalist (1898–1970); Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 80, 1-10.
