Which scientist is credited with initiating the scientific approach to psychology?

The correct answer is Gustav Fechner, who is recognized for initiating the scientific approach to psychology, particularly in the fields of sensation and perception. Fechner is often regarded as the father of psychophysics, a branch of psychology that studies the relationships between physical stimuli and the sensations and perceptions they produce. His work laid the groundwork for quantifying sensory experiences through rigorous experiments, establishing methods that allowed for the measurement of psychological phenomena in a systematic way.

Fechner's significant contributions to the formulation of psychological theories through empirical research were pivotal in bridging psychology and the natural sciences. He introduced concepts such as the just noticeable difference (JND) and created the Fechner Law, which quantitatively relates the intensity of stimuli to the related sensation. His approach helped psychology transition from philosophical speculation to a discipline driven by scientific investigation and methodology.