# Wolfgang Köhler

> German-American psychologist and phenomenologist (1887-1967)

**Wikidata**: [Q213672](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q213672)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Köhler)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/wolfgang-kohler

## Summary
Wolfgang Köhler (1887–1967) was a German-American psychologist and phenomenologist recognized for his contributions to the field of psychology as a university teacher and philosopher. He held citizenship in Germany, the United States, and the Weimar Republic, and was affiliated with prestigious academic institutions and scientific organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences and the American Psychological Association.

## Biography
- **Born:** January 21, 1887
- **Died:** June 11, 1967
- **Nationality:** German, American, Weimar Republic
- **Education:** University of Göttingen, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- **Known for:** Psychology, phenomenology
- **Employer(s):** Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Q152838
- **Field(s):** Psychology
- **Occupation:** Psychologist, University Teacher, Philosopher

## Contributions
Wolfgang Köhler's professional contributions are marked by his leadership and recognition within the global scientific community. He was a member of the American Psychological Association, a scientific and professional organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., founded in 1892. His standing in the field was further solidified through his membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an honorary society and policy research center established in 1780, and the National Academy of Sciences, the science branch of the United States National Academies founded in 1863. Additionally, he was affiliated with the American Philosophical Society, a scholarly organization founded in 1743. His work was honored with the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Psychology, the Wilhelm Wundt Medal conferred by the German Society for Psychology, and the Howard Crosby Warren Medal for outstanding achievement in experimental psychology.

## FAQs
**What was Wolfgang Köhler's primary occupation?**
Wolfgang Köhler worked as a psychologist, a university teacher, and a philosopher throughout his career.

**Where did Wolfgang Köhler receive his education?**
He was educated at the University of Göttingen and the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

**Which countries did Wolfgang Köhler hold citizenship in?**
He held citizenship in Germany, the United States, and the Weimar Republic.

**What awards did Wolfgang Köhler receive?**
He received the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Psychology, the Wilhelm Wundt Medal, and the Howard Crosby Warren Medal.

**What professional organizations was he a member of?**
He was a member of the American Psychological Association, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society.

## Why They Matter
Wolfgang Köhler matters due to his distinguished status as a scientist and academic who bridged German and American intellectual traditions. His election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences signifies that his research and teachings had a profound impact on the understanding of mental functions and behaviors. By receiving the Wilhelm Wundt Medal and the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions, he is recognized as a figure who advanced the field of psychology significantly. His affiliations with major universities in Berlin and his role as a university teacher helped shape the education of countless students in the behavioral sciences.

## Notable For
- Being a German-American psychologist and phenomenologist active from 1887 to 1967.
- Holding citizenship in three distinct political entities: Germany, the United States, and the Weimar Republic.
- Membership in the National Academy of Sciences (founded 1863).
- Membership in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (founded 1780).
- Membership in the American Philosophical Society (founded 1743).
- Membership in the American Psychological Association (founded 1892).
- Receiving the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Psychology.
- Receiving the Wilhelm Wundt Medal from the German Society for Psychology.
- Receiving the Howard Crosby Warren Medal for experimental psychology.
- Affiliation with the University of Göttingen (founded 1734) and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (founded 1809).

## Body

### Identity and Nationality
Wolfgang Köhler was born on January 21, 1887, and died on June 11, 1967. He was a human male whose national affiliations evolved over the course of the 20th century. Köhler held citizenship in Germany, a sovereign state in Central Europe known for its rich history and political stability, with a modern inception as the Federal Republic of Germany on May 23, 1949. He also held citizenship in the United States, a federal presidential constitutional republic and global superpower located primarily in North America, which declared independence on July 4, 1776. Additionally, he was a citizen of the Weimar Republic, the German state that existed from 1918 until 1933.

### Academic Background and Career
Köhler's academic journey was rooted in prestigious German institutions. He was educated at the University of Göttingen, a public research university founded in 1734, and the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, a public research university established in 1809. His professional occupations included psychologist, university teacher, and philosopher. As a university teacher, he was affiliated with the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the entity identified as Q152838. His field of work was psychology, the scientific study of mental functions and behaviors, which integrates philosophical, biological, social, and cultural aspects of human life.

### Professional Memberships
Köhler was an active member of several elite scientific and scholarly organizations. He was part of the American Psychological Association, the largest scientific and professional organization of psychologists in the United States, headquartered in Washington, D.C. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an honorary society and policy research center founded in 1780. His membership in the National Academy of Sciences, founded in 1863, placed him among the most distinguished scientists in the United States. Furthermore, he was affiliated with the American Philosophical Society, an American scholarly organization founded in 1743.

### Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Köhler received significant recognition for his contributions to psychology. He was awarded the APA Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions to Psychology, a major American psychology award. He also received the Wilhelm Wundt Medal, a scientific award conferred by the German Society for Psychology, which was founded in 1904. Additionally, he was honored with the Howard Crosby Warren Medal, an annual award established in 1936 for outstanding achievement in experimental psychology in the United States and Canada.

### Field of Study
Köhler's work was situated within the broad discipline of psychology. This field encompasses the study of mental functions and behaviors, categorized as a human science, health science, and behavioral science. It includes various subdisciplines such as cognitive, developmental, social, personality, clinical, and experimental psychology. The field is supported by major organizations like the American Psychological Association (est. 1892) and the German Society for Psychology (est. 1904), both of which recognized Köhler's work.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. [Source](https://www.apa.org/about/governance/president/former-presidents)
4. [Source](https://www.apa.org/about/awards/scientific-contributions?tab=3)
5. [Source](https://www.dgps.de/die-dgps/preise-und-ehrungen/wilhelm-wundt-medaille/)
6. [Source](https://www.sepsych.org/warren-medal-recipients/)
7. Mathematics Genealogy Project
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. CiNii Research
10. [Source](https://kalliope-verbund.info/DE-611-BF-27374)
11. BnF authorities
12. SNAC
13. Babelio
14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
15. Great Norwegian Encyclopedia
16. Croatian Encyclopedia
17. Munzinger Personen
18. Pedagogues and Psychologists of the World
19. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
20. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
21. Virtual International Authority File
22. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb123781389)