The emergence of psychology as an experimental science in 1879 was shaped by more than early philosophy. It was established during an era marked by intense public and scientific interest in spiritualism, mesmerism, magic, and other purported paranormal phenomena.

In this presentation, Dr. Anthony Barnhart examines the often-overlooked role that honest magicians and fraudulent spiritualists played in early psychology. He explores how efforts to investigate extraordinary claims, distinguish genuine phenomena from deception, and understand the limits of human observation contributed to the establishment of experimental psychology as an academic discipline, including early advances in psychology right here in Wisconsin.

Through live demonstrations of historical illusions, Dr. Barnhart recreates phenomena that fascinated and challenged psychology's earliest practitioners, offering a distinctive perspective on the cultural and intellectual forces surrounding the birth of the discipline.

*This event is a fundraiser for the Pleasant Prairie Historical Society. Ticket link forthcoming.