Psychology x410 Mini-lecture

Women in Psychology: Mary Whiton Calkins

Up until a few years ago, few students of Psychology had ever heard of Mary Whiton Calkins (1863-1930). Her lack of fame is all the more surprising when one considers her many accomplishments:

Invention of the paired-associate task for studying learning and memory.
Establishment of the first psychology laboratory at a women's college (Wellesley).
Elected as the first woman president of the American Psychological Association (1905) and the American Philosophical Association (1918).
Elected as the first honorary woman member of the British Psychological Association (1928).

Calkins studied psychology at Harvard as a "guest," since women could not officially register. After completing all requirements for a doctorate at Harvard, and with the strong support of William James and her other professors, Harvard still refused to grant a degree to a woman. They did, however, offer her a degree from Radcliffe, Harvard's college for women. In characteristic style, Calkins politely turned the offer down, citing the fact that she had done the work at Harvard.