The influence of Judaism on American psychology

Although the beginnings of psychology as a discipline were present from the late nineteenth century, the field truly began to differentiate itself from philosophy in American during the twentieth century. Beginning in these formative years and continuing to the present, Jews have contributed greatly to the topics that occupied psychology in many areas. Rather than see this as a coincidence, it is maintained that central values and concepts of Judaism induced Jews both to be attracted to and to shape the direction in which psychology grew. Examples of major contributors from the areas of individual personality development and therapy and of social psychology are presented, along with a discussion of how the Jewish experience influenced their focus and work