A history of psychology in New Zealand : early beginnings 1869–1929.
Degree GrantorUniversity of Canterbury
Degree NameMaster of Arts
This thesis is concerned with the introduction and development of western psychology in New Zealand during the period 1869 – 1929. The foundations of psychology coincided with the early foundations of the country and the building of the first university colleges. The evolving colonial university system provided opportunity but also institutional limitations on the development of the subject. Sir Thomas Hunter introduced experimental psychology and established the first psychology laboratory in 1907 at Victoria College. Hunter was supported in this by his American based mentor, Edward B. Titchener. Hunter played an important role in campaigning for university reform and worked tirelessly to promote both the study and application of psychology. This thesis argues that historic global and local events were crucial to the development and advancement of psychology in New Zealand. World War 1 ended in 1918 and was followed by a deadly flu epidemic. These events led to new theories and developments in psychology, many of which were imported to New Zealand and adapted to suit local needs. Local changes in approaches to health care and social management opened opportunities for a professional role in psychology. Throughout the 1920’s psychologists expanded their field of influence and began to develop applications for psychological knowledge. By 1929, psychology had become firmly established as a discipline worthy of individual attention. New Zealand had not yet begun to produce significant psychological research but provided a unique host society in which, in the space of sixty years, the study of psychology was introduced and developed and largely kept pace with international advances.