William McDougall

William McDougall was a pioneering psychologist known for his work on human instincts and behavior. He believed that much of our actions are driven by innate, inherited impulses, which he called instincts, such as curiosity or self-preservation. McDougall emphasized the importance of understanding these natural drives to explain how humans think and act. His ideas helped shape early psychology by highlighting the role of biological factors in motivation, combining instincts with environmental influences. His work laid the foundation for later studies on behavior, motivation, and the biological basis of human nature.