Celebrating 125 years: 1888-2013

In 1888, after studying in the leading European centers of a newly emerging discipline, future IU president William Lowe Bryan planted the seeds of the "new psychology" in his native state by setting up a single psychological laboratory in the IU Department of Philosophy. Then as now, the new field served as an interdisciplinary hub-literally occupying the space of both philosophy and science, with collaborative coursework with faculty in biology, sociology, and pedagogy and practical labwork with those in chemistry and physics. Its strong bent toward educational theory, the science of learning, and child development would set the stage for a future school of education and remain consistent pursuits in the department.

Now at the cusp of cutting-edge research, the psychological and brain sciences department finds itself at the cross-section of the nearly infinite number of disciplines currently brought to bear on the astonishing complexity of mind and brain. hipp

That single, original laboratory-now the longest continuing psychology laboratory in the US-laid the ground for an expansive enterprise that now extends beyond a single building and into multiple research facilities. That laboratory’s single piece of equipment, a Hipp chronoscope used to measure human reaction-time in early experiments on sound, likewise paved the way for a host of sophisticated new experimental technology-neuroimaging techniques, tools for genetic analysis, virtual reality and other sophisticated internet technology designed to investigate the cognitive and physiological underpinnings of behavior and brain functions, social and developmental psychology, theories of cognition and contemporary neuroscience, all of which ignite the interests of the psychological and brain sciences department today.

At 125 years, at this pivotal moment from which to reflect on this past and anticipate the future, this anniversary creates an opportunity to launch the department into another 125 years of ground-breaking research and further establish its place and legacy as a major center for psychological and scientific investigation.

Join us as we celebrate what science historian James Capshew called in his centennial history of the department, "the legacy of the laboratory." Stay tuned throughout the year as we honor this 125-year milestone with special anniversary newsletters, social media callouts, and further invitations to rejoin and reconnect with the PBS community.

The PBS Quasquicentennial

Save the Date: October 11, 2013

Join us to reflect on our achievements and get a glimpse into our future, with

Symposia to offer historical reflections and celebratory talks led by notable faculty, alumni and university administrators.
Award ceremony to mark the contributions of distinguished faculty and alumni.
Open house: revisit old labs and classrooms, walk the hallways, meet old friends and teachers, get to know the current faculty and the new chair.
Cocktails hour and formal banquet

Join our Facebook Event Page for up-to-date information on our symposia, open house, and banquet.

To help you arrange your stay, we have hotel room blocks at the Indiana Memorial Union from October 10, 2013 through Otober 13, 2013. Please call 800-209-8145. The Hotel Block Code is 125BRAIN.

We also have reservations at the Holiday Inn. You can book a room here or call 812-334-3252 and say you need to reserve a room under the IU Dept of Psychology group block arriving Oct. 10th.

Get Involved, be a PBS Alumni ambassador

Send us your photos from IU and be featured in our celebration

We are compiling photo galleries, slide shows, and posters for our 125th celebration. We'd love to include your photos. Email them to us at pbschair@indiana.edu.

Did you start graduate school in the 1990's? in the 2000's? Pictures of your classmates. See what they looked like then. Come to the 125th, October 11th and 12th, and see what they look like now.

Want to volunteer for the 125th event?

We are looking for Psychology and Neuroscience grads that are interested in speaking with undergraduates in our department about career paths after graduation. Email us at pbschair@indiana.edu

Tell us what you do, so we can better serve our undergraduates

What can one do with a degree in psychological and brain sciences' To answer the question, we'd love to hear from you. Send us an email to let us know what you are doing in your careers: pbschair@indiana.edu.

A brief history of the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences from IU Psych on Vimeo.