Woodworth, Robert Sessions (1869–1962)

US psychologist. He collaborated with Edward Thorndike in examining individual learning differences and later attempted to derive objective tests of emotional stability. Although his contributions to research were limited, he published a number of general texts on psychology including Experimental Psychology (1938), Contemporary Schools of Psychology (1931), and Dynamics of Behavior (1958).

Woodworth studied at Harvard, where he worked with William James, and at the University of Liverpool in the UK, where he was assistant to English physiologist Charles Sherrington (1857–1952).

Returning to the USA, he became professor of psychology at Cornell University 1909 and in 1914 was elected president of the American Psychological Association. In 1956 he received the first Gold Medal award of the American Psychological Foundation for his exceptional contribution as an integrator and organizer of psychological science.