Phrenology was a pseudoscience based on the idea that a
person’s character could be discerned from the shape and unevenness of the head
or skull. Developed by Franz Joseph Gall, a German physician, in 1796, the
subsequent practice of phrenology became popular in the 19th
century, especially from 1810 to 1840.
Gall’s conclusions were based on the idea that the brain is
the organ of the mind and is composed of many distinct areas, each governing a
faculty of a man’s personality. So, the size of the organ was a measure of its
power and therefore the shape of the brain was determined by the development of
these various parts. As such, the surface of a skull could be read as an
accurate index of psychological aptitudes and tendencies.
Phrenology was quite big in Britain but it was most successful
in America in the 1830s and 1840s. Many employers would demand a local
phrenologist to examine future-employees as a character reference, and this
practice was later extrapolated to the reformation of criminals.
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| American Institute of Phrenology, New York, 1893. |
Scientific proof of the efficacy of phrenology was in short
supply, however, with proponents highlighting only evidence that supported
their claims, while dismissing any findings that did not uphold the ‘truth’.
Visiting a phrenologist was similar to seeking advice from a psychic,
clairvoyant or astrologer, and the ignorant and gullible were especially susceptible
to claims made by these practitioners.
Phrenology, with its focus on personality and character, can
be separated from similar disciplines such as craniometry (the study of skull
size, weight, and shape) and physiognomy (the study of facial features).
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| A definition of phrenology circa 1895. |
I do remember reading a lot about this while in college. A fascinating study, even if there was little to recommend it. It has also come up in my study of the women doctors. What people will try when looking for answers. Thanks for a fun and informative post. Doris
ReplyDeleteDoris,
DeleteI'd never heard of it until I stumbled across it one day doing research. It's a bit bizarre, but then there were legitimate medical specialties that dealt with the brain and bone size, so all it takes is one guy going off on a tangent lol.
Interesting post, Kristy. If I recall, phrenology was also used to determine who had superior intellects as well as stronger character traits. Great for those who happened to inherit the right size and shape of head. Unfortunately, it didn't take into account the thickness of the skull bone, or that some people have heavier and others a thinner frame as a matter of genetics.
ReplyDeleteZina,
DeleteYou're so right, and some practitioners of phrenology abused this practice. It was just too easy to discriminate against certain individuals. Downright disturbing if you ask me.
Interesting stuff, Kristy! I think it's fascinating, the things people come up with that are "bought into" even for a short while in the name of science/medicine. You know who is an expert on phrenology, if you ever need to know anything about it? Our own Keith Souter, who writes for our Sundown Press imprint!
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
DeleteI never thought about Keith but I imagine he knows a lot about it since he's studied medicine in the 1800s. Thanks!
When I taught psychology classes, I spend a class period on phrenology. Invariably, the students were delighted with the concept and bewildered by that people actually believed in it. They had a great time feeling each other's heads and trying to interpret their 'findings' according to phrenology diagrams.
ReplyDeleteKaye,
DeleteWhat a fun lesson and a great excuse to touch someone else's head lol.
At least they did get some small thing right--the brain is compartmentalized in its operations. I wonder if the terms "knot head" and "knuckle head" developed from this belief about the brain and personality. Fascinating though how people came to believe in phrenology as a genuine science. I loved this post, Kristy.
ReplyDeleteSarah,
DeleteI never thought about those terms but you may be right lol.
How interesting. To me, it proves that if the right people come up with a theory, it isn't long until people start to believe it. And it doesn't matter how far out the theory is, if the inventors have the right degrees, few people will question them until others with higher degrees come along and debunk it. Thanks for sharing this, Kristy.
ReplyDeleteAgnes,
DeleteScary but true.