Phrenology

"Phrenology" in brown text
Graphic text with the Edward G. Boring quote, "It is almost correct to say that scientific psychology was born of phrenology, out of wedlock with science"

Phrenologists believed a person's personality was reflected through the shape of the physical skull. Different parts of the skull corresponded with different traits, so measuring how large or small bumps and divots were in certain areas would reveal a person's disposition.

One physician believed mesmerism "could be lumped together with phrenology, ultratemperence, and ultrasectarianism as one of the many quackeries and humbugs currently subverting the social order," but if anything, phrenology was used as a tool to support existing power structures in the status quo, reinforcing racist sentiments as well as misogyny.

two skulls, one front view and one side view