Who is considered the father of psychology?

The title of the "father of psychology" is most commonly associated with Wilhelm Wundt. He established the first psychological laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, in 1879, which marked the formal beginning of psychology as a separate field of study from philosophy and physiology. Wundt focused on introspection and the study of conscious experience, laying down the foundation for experimental psychology. His methods and emphasis on empirical research significantly influenced the development of psychology as a scientific discipline.

While Sigmund Freud, William James, and B.F. Skinner made substantial contributions to psychology, their work occurred later and in different contexts. Freud is known for his theories on psychoanalysis, James for his work on functionalism, and Skinner for behaviorism. Each of these figures has played a pivotal role in the evolution of psychological thought, but Wundt's establishment of a dedicated laboratory and research methodology marks him distinctly as the father of psychology.