Women’s History Month: Celebrating Women of Psychology
Like many modern professions, the fields of psychology and counseling were primarily established by men. Men conducted most of the research driving today’s theoretical approaches and interventions, and typically the subjects of these studies were also men. However, today, women now make up 75% of therapists in the U.S., and the once male dominated field is now eclipsed by women!
For this year’s Women’s History Month, we at Nashville Collaborative Counseling Center would like to highlight some of the women pioneers in therapy and psychology.
Karen Horney
Karen Horney was outspoken against perhaps one of the most well-known figures in psychology, Sigmund Freud. She refuted Freud’s concept of “penis envy” with that of men’s “womb envy,” suggesting that men’s actions are based on their inability to have children. Although this idea is now outdated, it challenged the misogynistic theories of that time. Horney studied the theory of neurotic needs, proposing they are impacted by cultural factors, and not only biological factors as previously believed by Freud and other psychoanalysts. Her work in the field contributed to self-psychology, psychoanalysis, and feminist psychology.
Mamie Phipps Clark
Mamie Phipps Clark was the first Black woman to complete a Ph.D. at Columbia University, focusing on Social Psychology. Her research played a significant role in the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education case in 1954, leading to the end of segregation in schools. Clark studied the perception of race, racial identity, and self-esteem. She is best known for the Clark Doll Test, which examined children’s understanding and attitudes towards race. Clark and her husband also created the Northside Center for Child Development in Harlem, providing minority children with access to psychological services and conducting research on racial biases in children.
Leta Stetter Hollingworth
Leta Stetter Hollingworth, a feminist and active member of the Women’s Suffrage movement, worked in educational psychology. She proved in the early 1900s that a woman’s menstrual cycle did not impair her intellect and mental/motor capabilities, debunking the widely believed myth. She faced many obstacles within the sexist structure of academia to accomplish this research, including being unable to teach in the New York City school district because they did not allow married women to teach. Nevertheless, she was able to complete her master’s and doctorate soon after. Hollingworth did not let the patriarchal system keep her from becoming an important psychologist who contributed significantly to the study of gifted children and intelligence testing.
Mary Ainsworth
Attachment theory has recently become a popular concept across social media platforms. This theory highlights the idea that our early relationships with caregivers impact how we function in adult relationships. In the 1970s, Mary Ainsworth developed the “Strange Situation” as an assessment to observe parent-child attachment. Ainsworth’s work changed the way we viewed parenting styles, showing their significant impact on how an individual navigates the world around them. Her theories have paved the way for a deeper understanding of developmental psychology to this day, especially regarding adult attachment and relationship patterns.
Horney, Clark, Hollingworth, and Ainsworth demonstrated the importance of challenging unjust systems for all humans to be part of the conversation. Despite incredible challenges, these women provided important information, research, and theories on the inner workings of being human. They, along with many other women, have impacted the field and continue to inspire us.
While there is still work to be done in increasing representation in psychology, particularly in inclusive research involving BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, these female pioneers have paved the way for more inclusion. This month, we celebrate these amazing women who have contributed to changing the world and continue to do so.
Sources
https://www.floridatechonline.com/blog/psychology/famous-women-in-psychology/
https://www.womenshistory.org/leta-stetter-hollingsworth
https://www.verywellmind.com/women-who-changed-psychology-2795260
https://theattachmentclinic.org/AboutUs/about_mary_ainsworth.html