In 1956, when the entire psychiatric establishment was convinced that homosexuality was a form of mental illness requiring treatment, cure, or containment, one woman looked at the scientific evidence and said, "This is complete bullshit." Evelyn Hooker didn't just challenge conventional wisdom—she demolished it with the kind of methodological precision that left her opponents scrambling for excuses and the LGBTQIA+ community with something they'd never had before: scientific proof that there was absolutely nothing wrong with them.
Hooker's initial study didn't just flip queer psychology on its ear, it changed psychology research design forever. Sixty years after Hooker, when I was taking graduate level courses in psychology, research design was hammered incessantly. Right after studying the concept of Standard Deviation, the whole practice of determining that value reliably was stressed and stressed and stressed. Of course, since she was a woman, her name never showed up in any of those classes. First I've heard of her. Which should lead to an interesting dissertation topic all by itself. But it won't.
It is interesting, that possibly as a result of this effort, there have been adjustments in the way people on the autism "spectrum" are being regarded. Neurotypical and neurodivergent are logically a new way to look at people who would have been described as creepy. It is not a perfect solution, but every little bit of mind broadening helps.
Hooker's initial study didn't just flip queer psychology on its ear, it changed psychology research design forever. Sixty years after Hooker, when I was taking graduate level courses in psychology, research design was hammered incessantly. Right after studying the concept of Standard Deviation, the whole practice of determining that value reliably was stressed and stressed and stressed. Of course, since she was a woman, her name never showed up in any of those classes. First I've heard of her. Which should lead to an interesting dissertation topic all by itself. But it won't.
This is a well written and very informative piece. Thank you.
What an absolute legend!
It is interesting, that possibly as a result of this effort, there have been adjustments in the way people on the autism "spectrum" are being regarded. Neurotypical and neurodivergent are logically a new way to look at people who would have been described as creepy. It is not a perfect solution, but every little bit of mind broadening helps.
While I find all your articles fascinating, this is by far one of my favorite article you have written. ❣️
I am honored , thank you
We are the honored ones Wendy. Accept the credit, it's well deserved.😊
You know I cannot well advocate for myself. But thank you.
Now that's so very interesting, I love to read about the pioneers who managed to think differently - in this case it's a woman - again!!
I do my best , thank you , please feel free to discuss more.