methods, research on particular topics, and the
historical context of research in these areas through-
out this book. Many of the research highlights are
mentioned in the timeline Significant Events in
Research.
The Profession
The Beginnings (1850–1899)
Two events of great significance in the develop-
ment of clinical psychology as a profession
occurred just as the 19th century was winding
down. The first was the founding of the American
Psychological Association (APA) in 1892, with
G. Stanley Hall as its first president. Although
the membership of the association was still fewer
than 100 by the close of the 19th century, the
profession had truly begun.
The birth of clinical psychology was not far
behind. In 1896, Lightner Witmer established the
first psychological clinic at the University of Penn-
sylvania. Many would date the real beginning of
clinical psychology from this time (McReynolds,
1996) (Figure 2-4).
Witmer’s clinic was devoted to the treatment
of children who were experiencing learning prob-
lems or who were disruptive in the classroom.
In the first issue ofThe Psychological Clinicin 1907,
Witmer wrote:
Children from the public schools of
Philadelphia and adjacent cities have been
brought to the laboratory by parents or
teachers; these children had made them-
selves conspicuous because of an inability
to progress in school work as rapidly as
other children, or because of moral defects
which rendered them difficult to manage
under ordinary discipline.
When brought to the psychological
clinic, such children are given a physical
and mental examination; if the result of
this examination shows it to be desirable,
they are then sent to specialists for the eye
or ear, for the nose and throat, and for
nervous diseases, one or all, as each case
may require. The result of this conjoint
medical and psychological examination is aTwin research has helped inform us about the genetic
influences on emotions, behavior, and personality.
F I G U R E 2-4 Lightner Witmer’s development of the
first psychological clinic began with the referral of a boy
who showed an odd spelling problem. It ended by stimu-
lating the establishment of a profession that was differ-
ent from both education and medicine.Brown Brothers© Julian Winslow/CorbisHISTORICAL OVERVIEW OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY 49