MARY WHITON CALKINS

Mary Whiton Calkins



Abstract

Three women who overcame these challenges to become early leaders in the field of psychology were Christine Ladd-Franklin, Millicent Washburn Shinn, and Mary Whiton Calkins. In this paper, we try to focus on the Mary Whiton Calkins. The paper discussed the life history of Mary Whiton Calkins. The paper main focus is on the biography of the Mary Whiton Calkins.

Mary Whiton Calkins

Introduction

Mary Whiton Calkins was born in Hartford, Connecticut on March 30, 1863. When she was a teen, her family moved to Massachusetts and she began her schooling at Smith College in 1882. She graduated in 1884 with a degree in philosophy. Her first job was as a Greek tutor at Wellesley College. After several years, she was noticed by members of the Psychology department and with a little encouragement, she decided to pursue her degree in psychology in order to teach. She was given special permission to study at Harvard, but was not permitted to be formally enrolled, as women were not allowed to attend the same college class as men at the time. Upon her graduation, she began her work in psychology in earnest. She helped found the first lab dedicated to the study of psychology at Wellesley, all while continuing her education. After several more years at Harvard with no possibility of admittance, Calkins was offered the opportunity to receive her Ph.D. from another university, but declined.

Eventually, Calkins worked her way up to earn the title of Associate Professor, and ultimately, full Professor at Wellesley College. She even achieved the esteemed role of being the Research Professor of the university's psychology department before her death. In addition to those accomplishments, Calkins also received Doctors of Letters and Doctors of Law from both Smith College and the University of Columbia (Calkins, 1930).

Background

Mary Whiton Calkins (1863-1930) was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the eldest of five children. Her family then moved to Buffalo, New York, while Mary was still a young child. Wolcott Calkins appears to have been very involved in his children's education: he designed and supervised their early education and, after the family moved to Newton, Massachusetts, he arranged for Mary to enter Smith College in the fall of 1882 with advanced standing as a sophomore. Calkins' collegiate career was interrupted by the death of her sister Maud a year later and Mary spent that year at home taking private lessons. She was able to re-enter Smith College In the fall of 1884 as a senior and graduated with a concentration in classics and philosophy (faculty.frostburg.edu).

Discussion

Mary Whiton Calkins studied at Harvard under William James and Hugo Munsterberg, a former student of Wilhelm Wundt. In her autobiography Calkins remembers the warm welcome and inclusion she received from James, Munsterberg, and many other men at Harvard. However, despite completing all requirements necessary for the doctorate degree and receiving accolades from her professors, Calkins was never awarded the Ph.D. that she earned. University policy was such that women could not be admitted to Harvard, so although ...