ABSTRACT
Wundt insisted that psychology should be a pure rather than an applied science because pure science was considered superior to applied science in Europe at the time. This belief was less common in America. Applied psychology first developed in America. William James is considered the founding father of American psychology. He made a long-lasting contribution to educational psychology. James believed that the function of the mind was to control behaviour, a belief that led to the development of functionalism in contrast to structuralism. His work stimulated others to develop forensic psychology (Münsterberg), clinical psychology (Witmer) and industrial psychology (Scott). The first intelligence tests were developed in France (Binet). Applied psychology was defined by the intention of the research. Pure research can have a future use. Some early American psychologists discriminated against female psychologists because of incorrect assumptions about intellect. Intellectual snobbery formed the basis of earlier preference for pure versus applied research and snobbery remains today in the form of university league tables. The status of applied research in the UK increased when the government rewarded universities for applied research. Students have positive and negative experiences irrespective of the status of the university they attend.
