III International Congress of Psychology
August 4 - 7, 1896, Munich, Germany
[Adapted from: Rosenzweig, M., Holtzman, W., Sabourin, M. & Bélanger, D. (2000). History of the International Union of Psychological Science. Hove, UK: Psychology Press.]
The 3rd International Congress of Psychology, Munich 1896
The 3rd International Congress of Psychology took place at the Royal University of Munich, August 4–7, 1896. The President was Professor Carl Stumpf of the University of Berlin; President II (Vice-President) was Professor Theodor Lipps of the University of Munich, and Secretary-General was Dr Albert von Schrenck-Notzing. The list of registered members showed a total of 455, considerably larger than at the London congress. Of these, 268 (59%) were German, 30 (6%) Austrian, 27 (6%) from the USA, 24 (5%) French, and 19 (4%) Italian. In part, the relatively large attendance was due to extensive correspondence undertaken by the German organizers; in part it was in response to announcements placed in journals. Thus, an announcement in Mind (1896 , p. 143) stated that “All educated persons who desire to further the progress of Psychology and to foster personal relations among the students of Psychology in different nations are invited to take part in the meetings of the Congress.” The announcement in the Psychological Review (1896, p. 240) added, “Women will have the same rights as men.”
|
Carl Stumpf (1848–1936): President of the 3rd International Congress of Psychology, Munich, 1896.
|
Many more papers were presented than in London—116—so 29 sessions were scheduled. Most of the time, there were five concurrent sessions. Section I was devoted to brain anatomy and physiology; section II, to the psychology of the normal individual; section III, to psychopathology and criminal psychology; section IV, to the psychology of sleep, dreaming, hypnosis, and allied phenomena, including telepathy; and section V, to developmental and pedagogical psychology.
For the first time at an international congress of psychology, commercial firms displayed laboratory instruments and publishers displayed recent books. Such displays became a feature of subsequent congresses.
Also for the first time, a congress newspaper (Tageblatt) was distributed during the 4 days of meetings. It informed members about activities, changes in the program, registration of members, information about Munich, and so forth.
Four languages were used in congress presentations, discussions, and the publication of the proceedings: German, English, French, and Italian. Papers or abstracts had to be submitted in advance so they could be distributed to the members to permit better understanding of the different languages.
Edward B. Titchener reported that the many social occasions at the 3rd congress stimulated valuable personal exchanges among the participants. He also noted that excursions planned for the participants had to be cancelled because it rained throughout the congress.
The congress was greeted with acclaim and hospitality by the City and University of Munich and the Kingdom of Bavaria, and a small number of members were invited to dine with the Prince-Regent. This was the first time such recognition was given to a congress of psychology.
Reports on the Congress
|
