1874-1949
Educational Psychologist

Scientist of Education.

Edward Thorndike influenced the development of American public schooling in the first half of the twentieth century as much as any other individual. During the five decades of his active career, he applied scientific theories and techniques to a wide range of educational problems. Thorndike praised scientific policy making, calling it "the only sure foundation for social progress." In education he focused his science methodology on such diverse issues as learning theory, testing, and school efficiency. He was also a writer of enormous output. During his lifetime Thorndike wrote seventy-eight books and published more than four hundred articles. As a result of his efforts, and the efforts of others taking a similar "scientific" approach, public-school administrators and teachers began applying Thorndike's vision of science in their schools. This new vision was exhibited most dramatically in new attempts to see...