Im Fach fast vergessen: Hugo Münsterberg – Autor der ersten wissenschaftlichen, experimentalpsychologisch fundierten Filmtheorie

Abstract

Hugo Münsterberg (Danzig 1863 - Cambridge, Massachusetts 1916), philosopher and physician, is rightly considered as one of the founders of experimental psychology. From a film-historical perspective, his work, which reached its zenith with the publication of ‘The Photoplay’ (1916), marked a turning-point for film theory, from unsystematic approaches to a first scientifically based theory. This contribution distinguished Münsterberg as one of the most important international pioneers in this field. In its first part, this paper presents Münsterberg’s personal and scientific biography. It focuses on the film theoretical work and summarises its most relevant aspects. The text argues that Münsterberg’s relatively spontaneous writings on film theory (1915/16) consequently evolved from his psycho-technical, application-oriented experimental work which he had pursued for two decades. In conclusion, the circumstances, determining the ups and downs in the reception of Münsterberg’s film theory within the last 100 years are illuminated.