Origins of Social Psychology in France: Secret Developments and a Misunderstood Discipline

The decades prior to 1900, during which l'Annee psychologique & l'Annee sociologique commenced publication in France, are examined to enable a clearer understanding of the relatively marginal position of social psychology at the time. Although concepts of social psychology had long existed in the theories of MDs, economists, philosophers, & politicians, attempts to integrate these ideas into a cohesive discipline had been sporadic & generally unsuccessful. The attempt to institutionalize aims of the field through professional journals & within U structures is reviewed, focusing on the career of Alfred Binet, researcher & editor of l'Annee psychologique. Binet's work & accomplishments illustrate how social issues gradually entered the field of psychology & made way for the development of social psychology. Bibliography. Modified HA.