Which psychologist is considered the first physiological psychologist?

Rudolf Hermann Lotze is often recognized as the first physiological psychologist due to his significant contributions to the field that bridged physiology and psychology. He was among the first to systematically investigate the relationships between bodily processes and mental functions. His work laid foundational ideas by asserting that psychological phenomena could be studied scientifically and were linked to our physical states. Lotze's dual focus on both physiological processes and their psychological implications marked a critical step toward the establishment of psychology as a legitimate scientific discipline.

In his writings, Lotze emphasized that mental experiences could not be fully understood without considering the underlying physiological mechanisms. This perspective helped pave the way for future psychologists to adopt empirical approaches to studying the mind and behavior, influencing figures like Wilhelm Wundt, who further developed these ideas in his own work and is often known as the father of experimental psychology.