William James, the notorious American philosopher, and psychologist was born on January 11, 1842, into an exceedingly academic and influential family. He grew up in a privileged environment in New York City. His father, Henry James Sr., was a theologian, and his brother, Henry James, would grow up to become a famous novelist. William James received a various education, studying art, science, and various philosophical and religious ideas. He attended Harvard University, where he would later become a famous professor. James’ upbringing implanted in him a deep appreciation for a broad range of ideas and perspectives surrounding psychology. This diverse background played a significant role in shaping his approach to philosophy and psychology, ultimately making him an essential figure in the development of American psychology.

Psychology is defined as, the scientific study of human behavior and mental processes. The field dates all the way back to 1879 when Wilhelm Wundt opened an experimental laboratory in Psychology. Although Wundt founded the study of psychology, William James was the first to teach a psychology course in the United States. James took what Wundt had created and expanded it immensely, creating new concepts to show the world. The contributions from James laid the groundwork for psychology. That’s why William James is the most influential psychologist of all time.

The seven modern perspectives of psychology are behaviorist, psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive, biological, evolutionary, and cross-cultural.

William James’s theoretical perspective on psychology closely correlates with the evolutionary theory. James’s created the school of functionalism, the goal of the concept was to understand why animals and humans have developed the psychological aspects that they currently possess (Hunt, 1993).

For James, one’s thinking was relevant only to one’s behavior. As he put it in his psychology textbook, “My thinking is first and last and always for the sake of my doing” (James, 1890). James’s creation of the functionalist school has greatly influenced modern day psychology, even though the school doesn’t exist anymore.

A modern-day example of functionalism would be the education system. Education plays a major role in the function of society in many ways. Besides providing an academic education to make children functional members of society, education also serves to teach children socialization skills. Ultimately, Functionalism closely reignites with the evolutionary theory and has been benefiting psychology for many decades, credits to William James for founding functionalism and setting the stage for many important psychological theories.

Another reason why William James is so influential is his James-Lange theory of emotion. This was the first ever theory to explain what causes emotions. James-Lange is the belief in connection between the mind and body.

The concept puts forward that human experience of emotion arises from physiological change in response to external events. According to James our body’s responses to an emotional event—such as a racing heart rate or sweating, for example—are what make up our emotional experience. This theory set the table for future psychologists and is still used in present day psychology.

Although, some psychologist question and combat this theory, it’s still such an important mark in psychology history for the sole purpose that it was the first time the cause of emotions was questioned.

It’s an accepted fact that William James set up a lot of crucial theories and ideas for future psychologists. In fact, a lot of his students were greatly inspired by James’s mind. Hall, Mary Whiton Calkins, and E.L. Thorndike were all students of James that went on to have prominent careers in Psychology.

Mary Calkins went on to define personalistic introspective psychology as the study of conscious, functioning, experiences selves that exist in relationship to others.

Thorndike was best known for the theory the law of effect, which emerged from his research on how cats learn to escape from puzzle boxes.

All of these brilliant psychological discoveries blossom from William James teaching methods and ability to touch the minds of his students.

William James is the greatest psychologist of all time. He had some of the most influential theories and ideas, along with the fact he inspired his students to go out and create and expand on psychological theories creating a huge difference in modern day psychology.