This page has a brief psychology timeline that contains a description of some events that might be important for society. This includes some psychological books with ideas or findings that may be beneficial to a significant number of people. Some of these books may be considered some of the best psychology books. Some of these events that are included for this brief timeline of psychology can be considered important events in the history of psychology. More events may be added at a later time.
Skinner's novel, Walden Two, there is a description of a
community that can be viewed as utopian. The utopian novel
involves a description of the good life. The leaders of
the Walden Two community would promote acceptable behavior
by use of positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement occurs
when the likelihood of a certain behavior increases as a result
of the presentation of something pleasant after the behavior.
1959 The book, Man's Search for Meaning: Introduction to
Logotherapy, by Viktor Frankl, is published. Frankl
suggested that the search for meaning is a primary
motivation. This book tells the story of Frankl's
experience in the concentration camp and provides
insight into the search for meaning in life.
1968 The article "Bystander Intervention in Emergenies: Diffusion
of Responsibility," written by John Darley and Bibb Latane, is
published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
This article helps us to understand why some people may not
help in an emergency.
1973 The article "Groupthink," by Irving Janis, is published. The
articles describes a phenomenon labeled groupthink, which
may explain why some groups make poor decisions.
1978 The book, The Jigsaw Classroom, by Elliot Aronson et al. is
published. The book pertains to the jigsaw technique. The
jigsaw technique involves cooperative learning and may reduce
racial conflict in the classroom.
1979 The book, Eyewitness Testimony, by Elizabeth Loftus, is
published. The reader can learn about factors that
influence eyewitness memory. A essential book for anyone
who may become a juror.
1983 The article, "The Control of Human Aggression: An Optimistic
Perspective," by Robert Baron, is published in the Journal of
Social and Clinical Psychology. Some possible techniques for
controlling human aggression are described. The article provides
insight into some possible ways that aggression may be reduced.
1987 The article, "Increasing voting behavior by asking people if
they expect to vote," by Anthony Greenwald et al., was
published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. Greenwald
et al. found that a greater percentage of people voted when
asked if they expect to vote than when not asked. This study
provides insight into how voting can be increased.
1994 The article, "What We Know About Leadership: Effectiveness
and Personality," by Robert Hogan, Gordon Curphy and Joyce
Hogan is published in American Psychologist. This article
provides answers to some important questions pertaining to
leadership. Some of these questions include how leaders are
chosen, why leaders fail, and how leaders build teams.
2003 The book, The Social Psychology of Fundraising,
Fourth Edition, by Brad Bell, is published. This book
describes research findings on donating behavior, provides
some ideas of possible ways to increase donations, and
describes six principles that may explain some of findings
on donating behavior.
2006 Psychologyandsociety.com is established.