The Journal of Abnormal Psychology was established in 1906 by a Boston physician dedicated to bringing European theories of psychopathology into American academic and clinical settings. Throughout his career, Morton Prince acted as a bridge between Old World psychiatry and the burgeoning field of domestic mental health research, specifically focusing on dissociative disorders and the mechanics of the unconscious mind.
Early Training and European Influence
Born in Boston in 1854 to Frederick O. Prince and Helen Susan Prince, Morton Prince pursued a traditional education at the Boston Latin School and Harvard College. He secured his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1879. Following his graduation, he completed a European tour, spending time in Vienna, Strasbourg, and Paris. His visit to the Salpêtrière, where he observed the methods of Jean Martin Charcot, significantly shifted his clinical focus. Although he initially established an otolaryngology practice, the influence of Charcot’s theories led him to specialize in neurology, adopting a theatrical teaching style that mirrored his mentor.
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Prince became an expert in what he classified as dissociative disorders, or multiple personality disorder, drawing heavily upon the experiences of his mother and wife. He championed the use of suggestion as a treatment method, collaborating with prominent figures such as William James, Boris Sidis, and James Jackson Putnam. His 1906 publication, The Dissociation of a Personality, detailed the clinical case of Christine Beauchamp. The text gained attention for its description of a hypnogenetic point on the patient's spine, which, when pressed, induced hypnotic sleep. Beyond his clinical work, he maintained a skeptical stance toward the paranormal, researching phenomena like crystal gazing through the American Society for Psychical Research.
Institutional Building and Academic Legacy
Throughout his tenure as a researcher and physician, Prince founded several organizations, including the American Psychopathological Association and the Harvard Psychological Clinic in 1927. He served as the second chairman of the departments of neurology and psychiatry at Tufts University School of Medicine between 1902 and 1912. Though he remained critical of Freudian psychoanalysis, describing it as a cult rather than a science, he published over 100 papers and 14 books. His work at the Harvard Psychological Clinic provided a foundation for researchers like Henry Murray, Gordon Allport, and Robert W. White. He continued to edit the Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology until his death in 1929 in Boston, after which he was buried at Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1854, Boston
- Died: 1929, Boston
- Education: Harvard Medical School, 1879
- Key Publication: The Dissociation of a Personality, 1906
- Founder: Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1906
- Notable Role: Chairman, Tufts University School of Medicine (1902–1912)
- Burial site: Mount Auburn Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Morton Prince’s view on psychoanalysis?
He was highly critical of the movement, famously arguing that it functioned more like a cult than a scientific discipline.
What is Morton Prince best remembered for in psychology?
He is primarily recognized for his foundational work on dissociative identity disorders and the creation of the Journal of Abnormal Psychology.
Achievements
- Held posts at Harvard University
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