We cannot understand contemporary psychology without first researching its history. Unlike other books on the history of psychology, which are chronologically ordered, this Handbook is organized topically. It covers the history of ideas in multiple areas of the field and reviews the intellectual history behind the major topics of investigation. The evolution of psychological ideas is described alongside an analysis of their surrounding context. Readers learn how eminent psychologists draw on the context of their time and place for ideas and practices, and also how innovation in psychology is an ongoing dialogue between past, present, and anticipated future.

'The famous statement that psychology has a long past but a short history reflects the fact that empirical psychology is a relatively new arrival among the sciences, but that the fascination with psychological topics has been around for thousands of years. This volume by Robert J. Sternberg and Wade E. Pickren successfully melds the discipline’s past and history. Readers get a seamless path from philosophy to natural philosophy to scientific psychology across its many sub-disciplines. Unlike standard histories of psychology, this book shows the breadth of psychology as it has evolved to its present state.'

Barney Beins - Ithaca College, New York

'By assembling an impressive group of specialist scholars, Robert J. Sternberg and Wade E. Pickren have created a volume of great value for both students and researchers. These lucid historical overviews provide an excellent introduction to the history of the major research areas of modern psychology.'

Andrew S. Winston - University of Guelph, Canada

'The Cambridge Handbook of the Intellectual History of Psychology reveals the rich tapestry of personalities, ideas, theories, controversies, and empirical findings that have contributed to our contemporary understanding of psychology. It is an engaging, highly accessible, and erudite resource that every teacher and student of psychology needs to read.'

Dannette Marie - University of Aberdeen

'With chapters from leading experts in the sub-disciplines or active researchers in the history of psychology, both students and professionals now have access to a valuable bank of information concerning the historical evolution of specific sub-disciplines’ ideas as a way to address the declining knowledge of disciplinary history.'

Ingrid Farreras - Hood College, Maryland

'The 19 chapters of this multi-author volume cover the intellectual history of various sub-disciplines and concerns of psychology. Each chapter is written by a specialist in the given field … Many chapters will be engaging for those particularly interested in the history of psychology, and the book could well be valued by students and scholars of that history.'

K. S. Milar Source: Choice

'… accessible overviews of contemporary psychological topics, showing awareness of the factors that shape their current form.'

Roger Smith Source: The British Journal for the History of Science