Hugo Münsterberg

Hugo Münsterberg
Hugo Münsterberg
Born(1863-06-01)June 1, 1863
DiedDecember 16, 1916(1916-12-16) (aged 53)
CitizenshipGerman
Known forApplied psychology
Formalist film theory
Münsterberg illusion
Scientific career
FieldsPsychology
ThesisDie Lehre von der natürlichen Anpassung in ihrer Entwicklung, Anwendung und Bedeutung (1885)
Doctoral advisorWilhelm Wundt
Doctoral studentsEdwin Holt
Other notable studentsMorris Raphael Cohen, Mary Whiton Calkins, Richard M. Elliott, William Moulton Marston
Signature

Hugo Münsterberg (/ˈmʊnstərbɜːrɡ/; German: [ˈmʏnstɐbɛʁk]; June 1, 1863 – December 16, 1916) was a German-American psychologist. He was one of the pioneers in applied psychology, extending his research and theories to industrial/organizational (I/O), legal, medical, clinical, educational and business settings. Münsterberg experienced immense turmoil with the outbreak of the First World War. Torn between his loyalty to the United States and his homeland, he often defended Germany's actions, attracting highly contrasting reactions.