Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev
Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev (1857–1927) was a prominent Russian scientist in the fields of neuropathology, physiology, and psychology. He is considered one of the founders of objective psychology and was one of the pioneers in studying the neurophysiological aspects of mental processes.
Bekhterev recognized subjective and objective psychology as equally valid. Subjective psychology is based on introspection (self-observation and the description of one’s own mental processes). However, Bekhterev actively promoted the idea of objective psychology, which is based on studying the neurophysiological correlates of psychological phenomena. His research on reflexes and neuropsychology was highly important in advancing the understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying behavior and mental states.
Bekhterev later became a more active advocate of objective psychology and neuropsychology, rejecting introspection as insufficiently precise and scientific for studying mental processes.