What significance did the observation that astronomers differ in their reaction times have for the history of psychology?
It was believed that the astronomers were the first person who postulated the concept of human physiology that provides useful information about the phenomena of science. A German astronomer, Friedrich Bessel, postulated that error specifically be due to the phenomenon of individual differences among the observers. Thus, he carried out his observations between their colleagues and found systemic differences between them.
The major probable differences present between them were known as the first reaction-time study that was used to correct differences among observers. This was done by calculating personal equations between them. Bessel also found systematic differences among individuals and found a way to compensate for bigger differences. But, his finding does not led to higher impact on the early development of experimental psychology.
Thus, the early astronomers were keen in studying the early experimental psychologists by interpreting individual differences among the experimental subjects that were greatly attributed to sloppy type of methodology. Later in the history of psychology, the study of individual differences was considered to be of higher importance from the aspect of astronomers.