Normalizing the Supernormal: The Formation of the "Gesellschaft Für Psychologische Forschung" ("Society for Psychological Research"), c. 1886-1890

Abstract

This paper traces the formation of the German "Gesellschaft für psychologische Forschung" ("Society for Psychological Research"), whose constitutive branches in Munich and Berlin were originally founded as inlets for alternatives to Wundtian experimental psychology from France and England, that is, experimental researches into hypnotism and alleged supernormal phenomena. By utilizing the career trajectories of Max Dessoir and Albert von Schrenck-Notzing as founding members of the "Gesellschaft," this paper aims to open up novel perspectives regarding extra-scientific factors involved in historically determining the epistemological and methodological boundaries of nascent psychology in Germany. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.