Karl S. Lashley
| Karl Spencer Lashley | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | June 7, 1890 Davis, West Virginia |
| Died | August 7, 1958 (aged 68) Poitiers, France |
| Nationality | United States |
| Alma mater | Johns Hopkins University |
| Known for | learning and memory |
| Awards | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Psychology |
| Institutions | University of Minnesota, University of Chicago, Harvard University |
Karl Spencer Lashley (June 7, 1890 – August 7, 1958) was a psychologist and behaviorist remembered for his contributions to the study of learning and memory. A Review of General Psychology survey, published in 2002, ranked Lashley as the 61st most cited psychologist of the 20th century.
He was born on June 7, 1890 in the town of Davis, West Virginia. He was the only child of Charles and Maggie Lashley. He grew up in a middle-class family with a reasonably comfortable life. Lashley's father had a love of local politics and held various political positions. On the other hand, his mother was a stay at home mom and had a vast collection of books in the home. His mother would have women from the community come in and she would teach them various subjects. This is no doubt what gave Lashley his love of learning. Lashley has always held his family in high regard. He has been noted saying his father was a kind man. Lashley grew up being a very active boy, both physically and mentally. He was able to read by the age of four. His favorite thing to do as a child was to wander through the woods and collect animals, like butterflies and mice. Lashley spent most of his childhood alone. He did not have many friends. The reasons for his lack of friendships is unclear. In connection, with his love of learning and education, Lashley made an exceptional achievement. He graduated high school at age 14. He enrolled at West Virginia University, where he had originally decided to become an English major. He took a course in zoology, however, and decided to switch his major to zoology due to his interactions with a professor. When speaking of this professor, Lashley wrote "Within a few weeks in his class I knew that I had found my life's work". After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts at the West Virginia University, he was awarded a teaching fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh where he taught biology along with biological laboratories. While there he also carried out research which he used for his master's thesis. Once Lashley completed his master's degree, he studied at Johns Hopkins University, where he received his Ph.D. degree in genetics in June 1911. After obtaining his Ph.D. he became a professor at University of Minnesota, University of Chicago, and Harvard University.
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