Holzkamp, ​​Klaus

since 1949, Holzkamp has studied the process of social perception . In 1964, his doctoral dissertation, “Theory and Experiment in Psychology,” appeared in which he criticized the incompatibility of psychological theory with the practical experimental part. Further studies of Holzkamp were strongly influenced by student unrest in Berlin in the late 60s. Having emerged as a movement for freedom of speech and democracy, already in 1966, the student movement protested against the Vietnam War , and ultimately, thanks to people like Rudi Duchka, reached a high point in the pro-socialist tinged radical criticism of West German society. Simultaneously with the criticism of society, criticism of science was also conducted - students of the 60s opposed the supposedly neutral apolitical instrumental understanding of science, which in their opinion often led to abuse, the use of scientific knowledge for social control or state suppression. Science can not exist outside of public life, so it must be "politicized." Holzkamp also came to such thoughts in his criticism of ordinary psychology. In contrast to his colleagues, who met students with prohibitions and convictions, he participated in student discussion groups and gradually came to a new principally critical rationale for psychology based on Marxist criticism. The press attacked the new Marxist "critical psychology" and, above all, the "kindergarten of Red Freedom" led by the students, who put into practice the ideas of Holzkamp.