How did economic forces influence the development of applied psychology? Do you think applied psychology would have developed when it did without these forces?
Though the Zeitgest from America- the cerebral temper and spirit of the times- helped advance the development of psychology which is applied, some other rational forces which are contextual were also important for its development.
While the labs of psychology was increasing in number in the direction of end of 19th century, the Americans holding doctoral degrees for psychology was increasing even quickly.
Several of these new degrees, specifically the ones with no independent income source, were strengthened to see ahead of university for the means of survival which was economic, as it was with Hollingworth working with Coca-Cola.
Hollingworth did research which is applied for many companies, for instance, regulating the very effective ads for a manufacturer of firearms. He announced that the behavior of gum chewing helped in relaxing tension of muscles and helping people feeling at ease.
Hollingworth was not he only one in conducting research which could be made applicable to the problems of the real world. Other workers in psychology which is applied also enacted out of necessity which is economic.