Washburn, Margaret Floy (1871–1939)

US psychologist. She was a pioneer in introducing experimental research and faculty-student collaboration into the psychology department at an undergraduate liberal arts college. Her publications include her major work on animal behavior, The Animal Mind (1908), and her book on the motor theory of mental functions, Movement and Mental Imagery (1916).

Washburn was born in New York City. She entered Vassar College at the age of 16, graduated in 1891, and received her PhD from Cornell University in 1894. After teaching at Wells College for Women and other institutions, she returned to teach at Vassar (1903–37).