A Little History of Psychology

A rich and engaging guide to psychology, the science devoted to understanding human nature

Psychology is the science devoted to understanding human nature. Its practitioners have long sought to understand behaviour, feelings and thoughts. In her fascinating history, Nicky Hayes tells the story of psychology from its origins to the present day. She introduces key thinkers, including Carl Jung, Anna Freud, Frantz Fanon, and Daniel Kahneman. We see how they tried to expand our understanding, from Pavlov and his dogs to Milgram and his famous electric shock experiments to the CIA’s secret mind-control projects.

This Little History taken us on a journey through the ever-advancing study of psychology, how the field has evolved over time - and how much more we need to learn.

Little Histories - Inspiring Guides for Curious Minds

Nicky Hayes has been involved in psychology for 50 years and is the author of over 25 celebrated books, including What Are You Thinking?, Your Brain and You and Fundamentals of Social Psychology. She was President of the British Psychological Society 2022-2024.