Psychological instruments

More about the book

This historical resource has served as the foundation for three previous publications, each detailing 50 items from experimental and applied psychology, complete with full-colour illustrations. The author has now curated 75 notable items for the English edition, organized into experimental and applied psychology. In experimental psychology, topics include the development of graph-plotting apparatus, measurement of reaction times, control apparatus, colour mixers, ergographs, and optical illusions. Some items, like the rotation apparatus for complication tests and the kymograph, were utilized in Wilhelm Wundt's laboratory from 1879. Applied psychology covers commercial topics such as railway and road transport testing apparatus, traffic management, and occupational aptitude tests. The author emphasizes the term Psychotechnik (“psycho-technology”) for this sub-discipline, highlighting the technical expertise required for manufacturing these items. Christian Paulitsch, the author, has been a restorer at the Institute for History of Modern Psychology for over 20 years, overseeing the Instrument and Apparatus Collection's restoration and conservation. He has meticulously cataloged all items in both physical and digital formats. Author’s e-mail: info@psychologischeapparate.de