Walter Blumenfeld and the psychotechnics in Saxony
Future for the Wilhelm Wundt House: Exhibition of the psychotechnical collection
PD Dr. Andreas Jüttemann, Psychologist and medical historian at the Technical University of Dresden (currently Bensley fellow at McGill Montréal), is part of a group of researchers seeking to reuse the historic Wilhelm Wundt House near Leipzig, Germany (Saxony). The house in the small village of Großbothen is the only surviving home of the famous scientist, who is considered the most important founding figure of academic psychology. It had been vacant since 1990 and fell into disrepair. Thanks to the efforts of a preservationist, the property, which had already become dilapidated, was saved from further decay with the help of publicly raised funds. The renovation of the building should be completed in 2024, while the future use of the building is still open. The goal is to find and fund a use that relates to the history of psychology. One idea is to show the development of psychotechnics in professional psychology, which had its beginning in Saxony. In addition, the Psychotechnical Equipment Collection in Dresden is urgently seeking new premises.
As an example, Jüttemann presents the biography of the psychotechnician Walter Blumenfeld (1882-1967). Blumenfeld is one of the pioneers in the field of industrial and organizational psychology. The son of a merchant initially studied electrical engineering and worked as an engineer in Berlin. He completed a second degree in psychology and philosophy in 1913. After World War I, he was a private lecturer in general and experimental psychology at the Technical University of Dresden. Appointed associate professor in 1924, he was instrumental in establishing the new Psychotechnical Institute. He was concerned with work organization ("Blumenfeld effect") and developed methods for aptitude diagnostics ("Blumenfeld cube"). Dismissed as a Jew after the National Socialists came to power, he emigrated to Peru in 1935. In Lima he received a professorship in psychology and education. His works, written in Spanish, achieved a high degree of circulation in South America. Walter Blumenfeld, who was awarded after World War II honorary membership of the German Psychological Society, died in Lima shortly before his 85th birthday.
Location: Hybrid
626 Kaneff Tower (York University, Keele Campus)
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