La psicologia scientifica in Sicilia tra il XIX ed il XX secolo

The present paper is aimed at describing the developmental process of the scientific psychology in Sicily between the XIX and XX centuries. Starting from the end of the XIX century, the work of Gabriele Buccola, who could be considered as one of the pioneers of modern psychology in Italy, the contribution of Simone Corleo, who established the first laboratory of Experimental Psychology in Sicily, and the role of Giuseppe Sergi for the institutionalization of psychology and its inclusion among the scientific subjects were considered. The beginning of the XX century has been characterized by Giuseppe Pitrè, who set up a method for the study of customs and habits of the common people, and Francesco Umberto Saffiotti, underestimated figure in the Italian psychology who has importantly contributed to the development of Italian psychology. This developmental process has been stopped between the 20’s and 30’s by the opposition towards the study of psychological phenomena exerted by neo-idealism and Giovanni Gentile. The development restarts in the 1938 with the coming to Palermo of Gastone Canziani. His work created the premises for the final consolidation of the psychology in Sicily.