Psychology, under the title of psychology or ethics, has been taught for more than a thousand years as one of the main branches of philosophy in Iranian scientific centers. From Razi and Ibn Sina and Nasser Khosrow to Mulla Sadra, we know of few thinkers who have not dealt with this science in their works. In the works of these scientists not only the main topics of psychology such as feeling, perception, emotion, thinking, imagination and mental abilities are discussed, but even with allegorical and quasi-experimental methods about conflicting theories in the fields of feeling and perception or pleasure and pain are judged.
Despite the initial prosperity and splendor, there was no significant activity in psychology until the early 1940s, and this science was taught either as part of philosophy and educational science programs or as part of teacher training courses. The 1340s should be called the decade of organizational development of psychology in Iran, because during these ten years, a bachelor’s degree in psychology was first established at the University of Tehran and later at other universities in Iran. A master’s degree in psychology was established at the University of Tehran and the Institute of Psychology was founded. Some of these developments were the result of the efforts of Dr. Mahmoud Sanaei, who entered the Iranian psychological scene in the same period. Dr. Sanaei’s great service was translating the book Principles of Psychology written by Farman Man in 1342.
