Edwina Eunice Abbott (Cowan): Pioneer Psychologist

Abstract

Abstract Edwina Abbott (1887–1949), although little known to the field today, made significant contributions in several domains of psychology—experimental, developmental, and clinical—in the first half of the 20th century. In particular, she was the first to empirically study the “testing effect”—that learning and memory benefit from testing, not just from additional study—before going on to establish and direct an early laboratory for developmental and clinical research and treatment in Wichita, Kansas. Her forward-looking research and her devotion to applications of laboratory findings justify the designation “pioneer of psychology.”