beginning late in the 19th century, and largely influenced by german scholar wilhelm wundt, americans including james mckeen cattell, g. stanley hall, william james, and others helped to formalize psychology as an academic discipline in the united states. popularity in psychology grew as the public became more aware of the field. in 1890, james published "the principles of psychology", which produced a surge of public interest. in 1892, james wrote "psychology: the briefer course" as an opportunity for the public to read and understand psychological literature. in a similar attempt in 1895, e. w. scripture, another american psychologist, published a book, called "thinking, feeling, doing", that was adapted for the average reader.