Describe the paradoxical views of Titchener regarding the place of women in psychology. Did he act to assist them in their careers or discriminate against them?
A group of young psychologist from Yale, Michigan, Clark, and Cornell called themselves Titchener’s experimentalist. These meetings were presided over by Titchener himself. He chose the topics and the guests for the meeting.
He had a rule that no woman would be allowed for these meetings. He often said that a man psychologist who did not smoke was not a psychologist. This was a reason why he forbade women from attending his meetings. According to him, women were too pure to smoke.
Many women who had excellent academic credentials could not move forward with their interests. Women often had to choose marriage over career. In 1912 a lady named Franklin requested to attend the meeting with the Experimentalists. However, Titchener refused her entry. She reacted and protested against this discrimination.
Although, Titchener refused entry of women in his meetings, he always encouraged them to pursue higher education. In his days he advocated for faculty positions for women when many opposed this change. Under him 56 doctorates were awarded to women, a straight contrast from his own ideologies. He opened many doors for female psychologists which were closed for years by other male psychologists.