Wilhelm Wundt’s main contribution to the field of psychology is its establishment as an independent academic discipline. Wundt’s own ideas and theories considering psychology were not groundbreaking, and they did not leave a significant mark on the history of psychology. However, the institutional and methodological impacts of his actions have forever changed the nature of psychology (Leahey, 2018). For instance, Wilhelm Wundt founded the first laboratory in psychology that was academically recognized. Moreover, the first journal in experimental psychology was published due to Wundt’s efforts. From the theoretical perspective, Wundt saw scientific psychology, or as he referred to it – physiological psychology – as an alliance between two sciences. Establishing such an alliance allowed Wundt to separate psychology from supernatural ideas and introduce more advanced methodology into the psychological field. The concepts that Wundt introduced in psychology changed over time quite significantly. However, if we look at the psychology of consciousness through the prism of sensations and perception – it is still applicable and relevant in the modern world.
Reference
Leahey, T.H. (2018). A history of psychology: From antiquity to modernity (8th ed.). Routledge.