Profiles of Major Thinkers in Psychology M - Z

Abraham Maslow was an American psychology best known for his theory of the hierarchy of needs. Learn more about his life, work and theories in this brief biography of Abraham Maslow.

B. F. Skinner’s research on operant conditioning made him one of the leaders of behaviorism. Learn more about his life, career, research, and writings in this B.F. Skinner biography.

Carl Rogers was one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th-century. Find more information on his life, career, and work in this biography.

Edward Thorndike was a pioneering American psychologist perhaps best known for the law of effect. Learn more about his personal life, teaching career and psychology research in this biography of Edward Thorndike.

Ivan Pavlov was primarily interested in physiology, but his discovery of conditional reflexes heavily influenced the behaviorist movement. Learn more about his theories, career, and influence on psychology in this Ivan Pavlov biography.

Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development contributed to psychology's understanding of children's intellectual development. Find more information on his career, research, and influence on psychology in this Jean Piaget biography.

John Watson is often referred to as the "father of behaviorism." Learn more about his life, career, and theories in this brief biography.

Lev Vygotsky was a seminal thinker in psychology. Learn more about the life, work and theories of Lev Vygotsky.

Martin Seligman, psychologist and author of self-help books, is best-known for his theory of learned helplessness and his work in the area of positive psychology. Learn more about his life, work and theories in this biography of Martin Seligman.

Philip Zimbardo is an American psychologist perhaps best known for his famous Stanford Prison Experiment. Learn more about his life, theories, career and contributions to psychology in this biography of Philip Zimbardo.

Robert Yerkes was an influential psychologist known for his work in the area of comparative psychology. Learn more about his life, career and contributions to psychology in this biography of Robert Yerkes.

Learn more about the life and career of Wilhelm Wundt, including his contributions to the field of psychology and his influence on other theorists.

Max Wertheimer was one of the founders of Gestalt Psychology. His life and work had a major influence on the early development of psychology as a science.

Robert Sternberg is a contemporary psychologist best-known for his research on intelligence, love, creativity and cognitive styles. Learn more about his contributions to psychology in this brief biography of his life.

Sabina Spielrein was a patient, student and possible mistress of Carl Jung's. Learn more about her life, legacy and important contributions to psychology.