Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "Clark Wissler" - New World
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| − | '''Clark Wissler''' (born September 18, 1870 in Wayne County, Indiana – died August 25, 1947 in New York City) was a prominent American anthropologist, | + | '''Clark David Wissler''' (born September 18, 1870 in Wayne County, Indiana – died August 25, 1947 in New York City) was a prominent [[United States|American]] [[anthropology|anthropologist]], and a great authority on the [[Native American]] Indians. |
== Life == | == Life == | ||
| − | Clark Wissler was born on a farm in Wayne County, Indiana, the eldest child in | + | Clark Wissler was born on a farm in Wayne County, Indiana, the eldest child in a family of seven children. He was a descendent of a long line of [[Pennsylvania Dutch]] who had migrated from Swabia in [[Germany]] to Pennsylvania, and eventually settled down in Indiana. His early farm life, and the fact that his neighbor was an industrious collector of [[Native American]] artifacts, evoked interest in young Wissler for aboriginal life and [[culture]]. |
| − | Wissler graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1887, where he served as a principal from 1892- | + | Wissler graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1887, where he later served as a principal from 1892-1993. He enrolled in Perdue University and later transferred to Indiana University, where he majored in [[psychology]], graduating with a B.A. in 1897, and an M.A. in 1899. |
| − | + | Wissler became interested in [[individual differences]] in mental abilities, which led him to his Ph.D. degree in psychology from [[Columbia University]]*, which he received under the guidance of [[James McKeen Cattell]]. | |
| − | |||
| − | + | On June 14, 1899, Wissler married Etta Viola Gebhart. The couple had two children, a son, Stanley Gebhart Wissler, and a daughter, Mary Viola Wissler. | |
| − | + | At Columbia, Wissler became increasingly interested in [[anthropology]]. He came in contact with [[Franz Boas]], whose courses he attended as part of his graduate work. Wissler joined the staff of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and continued to teach anthropology at Columbia University. | |
| − | Wissler served as chairman on the Division of Anthropology and Psychology of the National Research Council from 1920- | + | Wissler’s interest completely turned from psychology to anthropology. He soon became Acting Curator of Ethnology at the American Museum of Natural History, and succeeded Boas as Curator in 1906. From 1907 until 1942, Wissler served as Curator of the Department of Anthropology. During this time Wissler initiated numerous projects in the fields of [[archeology]] and [[physical anthropology]], sponsored several expeditions, started journals, produced a large number of publications, and built up the ethnological collection in the Museum. |
| − | Anthropological Association in 1919, president of the American Association of Museums | + | |
| + | In 1924 Wissler became a faculty member at [[Yale University]], where he continued to do research in both psychology and anthropology. In 1931 he became the first professor of the newly formed Department of Anthropology. He was a well-known lecturer, who managed to evoke interest in his students toward his subject. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Wissler served as chairman on the Division of Anthropology and Psychology of the National Research Council from 1920-1921, served as president of the American | ||
| + | Anthropological Association in 1919, as president of the American Association of Museums from 1938 to 1943, and as president of the New York Academy of Sciences in 1930 and 1931. He died on August 25, 1947 in New York City, at the age of 76 years. | ||
== Work == | == Work == | ||
| − | + | Wissler first became famous through his dissertation. He was a [[psychology]] graduate student at [[Columbia University]], where he did research under the guidance of [[James McKeen Cattell]] on the topic of [[individual differences]]. However, in his dissertation Wissler opposed his mentor, taking an unusual step for a student who was just emerging on the academic scene. Wissler clearly presented his data and his dissertation soon became quite famous, and rather controversial. | |
| + | |||
| + | In his dissertation, Wissler strongly questioned the then prevailing method of [[intelligence]] testing, which was based on [[psychophysics|psychophysical]] measurement, and had its roots in the [[eugenics]] movement and the work of [[Francis Galton]]. Cattell and Galton were the two major researchers in the field at that time. According to their theories, intelligence, or mental ability, can be measured through reaction times, movement times, and other simple mental and sensory processes. By comparing the Cattell's test scores from several hundred undergraduates with their academic grades, Wissler showed that there was no [[statistics|statistical]] correlation between the psychophysical scores and the independent measure of intelligence (the academic grades), nor among the psychophysical tests themselves. Thus, Wissler's work revealed that the psychophysical methodology was not accurate and did not seem to be a valid measure of intelligence. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The impact of his dissertation was great. Although Wissler's own methodology and interpretation was criticized, psychologists gradually lost interest in psychophysical measurement, and Cattell, although remaining in the field, slowly fell into oblivion. The rift between Cattell and Wissler became too great, and Wissler decided to change his field, becoming an [[anthropology|anthropologist]]. | ||
| − | + | After being appointed assistant in Ethnology, and later Curator, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Wissler became enthusiastically involved in anthropological fieldwork, especially focusing on the customs of [[Native American]] Indians. | |
| − | + | He took the concept of [[culture area]]s and applied it to the study of American Indians. According to [[Friedrich Ratzel]], culture areas are regions of the world where people share common cultural traits. Faced with the diversity of [[custom]]s, [[ritual]]s, [[belief]]s, and artifacts of various American Indian [[tribe]]s, Wissler worked to systematize and map separate areas where each tribe had major influence. The growing amount of data collected through numerous expeditions also made such systematization necessary. | |
| − | + | Wissler created a map of American Indian tribes based on similarities and differences in tribes’ [[art]]work, [[religion|religious]] practices, modes of [[transportation]], and craftwork. He identified nine separate American Indian cultural areas, in which tribes shared common cultural traits. With this work, Wissler set up the foundation for research on American Indian cultural [[ecology]]. | |
== Legacy == | == Legacy == | ||
| − | The legacy of Clark Wissler lies in both areas of psychology and anthropology. | + | The legacy of Clark Wissler lies in both areas of [[psychology]] and [[anthropology]]. |
| + | |||
| + | As a [[psychologist]], although with a relatively short career, Wissler left his mark on the field. His doctoral dissertation permanently changed the dominant research paradigm for [[intelligence test]]ing. | ||
| + | |||
| + | As an anthropologist, although not as famous as [[Ruth Benedict]], [[Franz Boas]], [[Alfred Kroeber]], or [[Robert Lowie]], Wissler was a hard working scientist whose research in the American Museum of Natural History and later [[Yale University]], helped establish anthropology as an important part of American academia. The number and variety of [[ethnography|ethnographic]] publications demonstrate that Wissler, together with Boas, established field-research as the hallmark of American anthropology. | ||
| − | + | With his work ''Man and Culture'' (1923) Wissler went deeper than others into the investigation of the nature of [[culture]], the relationship between culture and environment, and the way culture changes. With this and numerous related works, Wissler brought results of anthropological research on culture into [[sociology]], and so can be seen as the forerunner of "cultural sociology." | |
| − | + | Although he turned away from psychology, Wissler never fully forgot it. He often used insights from psychological research and combined them with his research in anthropology. He helped [[Margaret Mead]] in her work, and supported other researchers in the field of "culture and [[personality]]." | |
| − | |||
== Bibliography == | == Bibliography == | ||
| Line 63: | Line 73: | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/uvwxyz/wissler_clark.html | + | *[http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/uvwxyz/wissler_clark.html Clark David Wissler] |
| − | http://www.aaanet.org/gad/history/081WISSLERobit.pdf#search='clark%20wissler' | + | *[http://www.aaanet.org/gad/history/081WISSLERobit.pdf#search='clark%20wissler' Obituary of Clark Wissler] |
| − | http://www.indiana.edu/~intell/wisslers.shtml | + | *[http://www.indiana.edu/~intell/wisslers.shtml The Wissler Controversy] |
{{Credit1|Clark_Wissler|25983220|}} | {{Credit1|Clark_Wissler|25983220|}} | ||
Revision as of 19:57, 5 April 2006
Clark David Wissler (born September 18, 1870 in Wayne County, Indiana – died August 25, 1947 in New York City) was a prominent American anthropologist, and a great authority on the Native American Indians.
Life
Clark Wissler was born on a farm in Wayne County, Indiana, the eldest child in a family of seven children. He was a descendent of a long line of Pennsylvania Dutch who had migrated from Swabia in Germany to Pennsylvania, and eventually settled down in Indiana. His early farm life, and the fact that his neighbor was an industrious collector of Native American artifacts, evoked interest in young Wissler for aboriginal life and culture.
Wissler graduated from Hagerstown High School in 1887, where he later served as a principal from 1892-1993. He enrolled in Perdue University and later transferred to Indiana University, where he majored in psychology, graduating with a B.A. in 1897, and an M.A. in 1899.
Wissler became interested in individual differences in mental abilities, which led him to his Ph.D. degree in psychology from Columbia University, which he received under the guidance of James McKeen Cattell.
On June 14, 1899, Wissler married Etta Viola Gebhart. The couple had two children, a son, Stanley Gebhart Wissler, and a daughter, Mary Viola Wissler.
At Columbia, Wissler became increasingly interested in anthropology. He came in contact with Franz Boas, whose courses he attended as part of his graduate work. Wissler joined the staff of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and continued to teach anthropology at Columbia University.
Wissler’s interest completely turned from psychology to anthropology. He soon became Acting Curator of Ethnology at the American Museum of Natural History, and succeeded Boas as Curator in 1906. From 1907 until 1942, Wissler served as Curator of the Department of Anthropology. During this time Wissler initiated numerous projects in the fields of archeology and physical anthropology, sponsored several expeditions, started journals, produced a large number of publications, and built up the ethnological collection in the Museum.
In 1924 Wissler became a faculty member at Yale University, where he continued to do research in both psychology and anthropology. In 1931 he became the first professor of the newly formed Department of Anthropology. He was a well-known lecturer, who managed to evoke interest in his students toward his subject.
Wissler served as chairman on the Division of Anthropology and Psychology of the National Research Council from 1920-1921, served as president of the American Anthropological Association in 1919, as president of the American Association of Museums from 1938 to 1943, and as president of the New York Academy of Sciences in 1930 and 1931. He died on August 25, 1947 in New York City, at the age of 76 years.
Work
Wissler first became famous through his dissertation. He was a psychology graduate student at Columbia University, where he did research under the guidance of James McKeen Cattell on the topic of individual differences. However, in his dissertation Wissler opposed his mentor, taking an unusual step for a student who was just emerging on the academic scene. Wissler clearly presented his data and his dissertation soon became quite famous, and rather controversial.
In his dissertation, Wissler strongly questioned the then prevailing method of intelligence testing, which was based on psychophysical measurement, and had its roots in the eugenics movement and the work of Francis Galton. Cattell and Galton were the two major researchers in the field at that time. According to their theories, intelligence, or mental ability, can be measured through reaction times, movement times, and other simple mental and sensory processes. By comparing the Cattell's test scores from several hundred undergraduates with their academic grades, Wissler showed that there was no statistical correlation between the psychophysical scores and the independent measure of intelligence (the academic grades), nor among the psychophysical tests themselves. Thus, Wissler's work revealed that the psychophysical methodology was not accurate and did not seem to be a valid measure of intelligence.
The impact of his dissertation was great. Although Wissler's own methodology and interpretation was criticized, psychologists gradually lost interest in psychophysical measurement, and Cattell, although remaining in the field, slowly fell into oblivion. The rift between Cattell and Wissler became too great, and Wissler decided to change his field, becoming an anthropologist.
After being appointed assistant in Ethnology, and later Curator, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, Wissler became enthusiastically involved in anthropological fieldwork, especially focusing on the customs of Native American Indians.
He took the concept of culture areas and applied it to the study of American Indians. According to Friedrich Ratzel, culture areas are regions of the world where people share common cultural traits. Faced with the diversity of customs, rituals, beliefs, and artifacts of various American Indian tribes, Wissler worked to systematize and map separate areas where each tribe had major influence. The growing amount of data collected through numerous expeditions also made such systematization necessary.
Wissler created a map of American Indian tribes based on similarities and differences in tribes’ artwork, religious practices, modes of transportation, and craftwork. He identified nine separate American Indian cultural areas, in which tribes shared common cultural traits. With this work, Wissler set up the foundation for research on American Indian cultural ecology.
Legacy
The legacy of Clark Wissler lies in both areas of psychology and anthropology.
As a psychologist, although with a relatively short career, Wissler left his mark on the field. His doctoral dissertation permanently changed the dominant research paradigm for intelligence testing.
As an anthropologist, although not as famous as Ruth Benedict, Franz Boas, Alfred Kroeber, or Robert Lowie, Wissler was a hard working scientist whose research in the American Museum of Natural History and later Yale University, helped establish anthropology as an important part of American academia. The number and variety of ethnographic publications demonstrate that Wissler, together with Boas, established field-research as the hallmark of American anthropology.
With his work Man and Culture (1923) Wissler went deeper than others into the investigation of the nature of culture, the relationship between culture and environment, and the way culture changes. With this and numerous related works, Wissler brought results of anthropological research on culture into sociology, and so can be seen as the forerunner of "cultural sociology."
Although he turned away from psychology, Wissler never fully forgot it. He often used insights from psychological research and combined them with his research in anthropology. He helped Margaret Mead in her work, and supported other researchers in the field of "culture and personality."
Bibliography
Wissler, C.D. (1912). North American Indians of the Plains (Handbook Series). New York: American Museum of Natural History.
Wissler, C.D. (1917). The American Indian: An Introduction to the Anthropology of the New World. New York.
Wissler, C.D. (1920). Prehistoric Man. The Mentor, 8(2)
Wissler, C.D. (1923). Man and Culture. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company
Wissler, C.D. (1924). The Relation of Nature to Man as Illustrated by the North American Indian. Ecology, 5(4), 311-318
Wissler, C.D. (1926). The Relation of Nature to Man in Aboriginal America. Oxford, New York: University Press
Wissler, C.D. (1938). Indian Cavalcade or Life on the Old Time Indian Reservations. New York: Sheridan House,
Wissler, C.D. (1940). Indians of the United States: Four Centuries of their History and Culture. American Museum of Natural History Science Series, 1(16),
External links
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