Franz Samelson (1923-2015)

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• History of Science

Background:

• Franz Samelson was a social psychologist and historian of psychology at Kansas State University.
• He critiqued the prevailing historical accounts of psychology, particularly social psychology and intelligence testing.

Discussion:

• Samelson argued that the history of social psychology was shaped by post-World War II desires for value-free empiricism.
• He critiqued Gordon Allport's creation of an origin myth for social psychology, which obscured earlier ideological diversity.
• Samelson also challenged the widely accepted narrative of intelligence testing's utility demonstrated in World War I, labeling it a myth.

Key Insights:

• The historical accounts of social psychology and intelligence testing have been subject to myth-making and ideological biases.
• Samelson's research demonstrated the importance of critically evaluating established disciplinary histories.
• His work highlighted the influence of contemporary values on historical interpretations in psychology.

Outlook:

• Further research into the historiography of psychology is needed to uncover less-acknowledged narratives.
• Understanding these historical distortions can lead to a more nuanced and accurate understanding of psychological science.
• Samelson's critical approach serves as a model for future historical analyses in psychology.