Psychologists from United States

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the top 10 most legendary Americans Psychologists of all time. This list of famous Americans Psychologists is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography's online popularity. Visit the rankings page to view the entire list of Americans Psychologists.

1. #1

   

   Abraham Maslow

   1908 - 1970

   HPI 80.9374 langs

   Abraham Maslow is most famous for his theory of human needs. He argued that people have a hierarchy of needs, with the most basic needs at...Read moreShow less

   Abraham Maslow is most famous for his theory of human needs. He argued that people have a hierarchy of needs, with the most basic needs at the bottom and the most complex needs at the top.

2. #2

   

   John Dewey

   1859 - 1952

   HPI 78.9081 langs

   John Dewey is most famous for his work in philosophy, psychology, and education. He is most well-known for his work on pragmatism, which is...Read moreShow less

   John Dewey is most famous for his work in philosophy, psychology, and education. He is most well-known for his work on pragmatism, which is the idea that truth is based on how well it works in practice.

3. #3

   

   William James

   1842 - 1910

   HPI 78.6286 langs

   William James was a philosopher and psychologist. He is most famous for his work in the field of psychology, and his theory of pragmatism.

4. #4

   

   Carl Rogers

   1902 - 1987

   HPI 78.5662 langs

   Carl Rogers is most famous for his theory of humanistic psychology. This theory emphasizes the importance of the individual and their...Read moreShow less

   Carl Rogers is most famous for his theory of humanistic psychology. This theory emphasizes the importance of the individual and their self-actualization. Rogers believed that people are inherently good and have the ability to change themselves and their environment.

5. #5

   

   John B. Watson

   1878 - 1958

   HPI 75.3459 langs

   John B. Watson was most famous for his work with Little Albert. He conducted a study in which he conditioned a child to fear a white rat by...Read moreShow less

   John B. Watson was most famous for his work with Little Albert. He conducted a study in which he conditioned a child to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise.

6. #6

   

   Irvin D. Yalom

   b. 1931

   HPI 75.2437 langs

   Irvin D. Yalom is a psychiatrist who has written extensively on the subject of existential psychotherapy. He is most famous for his book,...Read moreShow less

   Irvin D. Yalom is a psychiatrist who has written extensively on the subject of existential psychotherapy. He is most famous for his book, "Existential Psychotherapy," which was published in 1980.

7. #7

   

   B. F. Skinner

   1904 - 1990

   HPI 75.0867 langs

   B. F. Skinner is most famous for his operant conditioning, which is a type of behaviorism. This theory is based on the idea that behavior is...Read moreShow less

   B. F. Skinner is most famous for his operant conditioning, which is a type of behaviorism. This theory is based on the idea that behavior is shaped by its consequences.

8. #8

   

   Edward Thorndike

   1874 - 1949

   HPI 74.9356 langs

   Edward Thorndike is most famous for his work on learning theory and the law of effect. His theory of learning is based on the idea that...Read moreShow less

   Edward Thorndike is most famous for his work on learning theory and the law of effect. His theory of learning is based on the idea that learning is a process of trial and error. The law of effect states that responses that are followed by satisfying consequences are more likely to be repeated in the future.

9. #9

   

   Aaron T. Beck

   1921 - 2021

   HPI 73.8933 langs

   Aaron T. Beck is most famous for his contributions to the cognitive behavioral therapy movement. He is also noted for his contributions to...Read moreShow less

   Aaron T. Beck is most famous for his contributions to the cognitive behavioral therapy movement. He is also noted for his contributions to the development of cognitive therapy, which is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

10. #10

    

    Howard Gardner

    b. 1943

    HPI 72.8846 langs

    Howard Gardner is most famous for his theory of multiple intelligences.