Ali Akbar Siassi, The Founder of Psychology in Iran: Biographical Introduction

Psychology has been taught as "Elmon-Nafs" for more than a thousand years as one of the main branches of philosophy in scientific centers of Iran. In regard to Iranians' acquaintance with modern psychology Ali Akbar Siassi started teaching the first psycho-logy course at the School of Political Science. Siassi's works and services have played a significant role in the development of scientific psychology in Iran, therefore he is known as the founder and the father of modern psycho-logy in Iran. In this qualitative research, using biographical method, his scientific and cul-tural-political services were examined. The set of Siassi's activities and services can be grouped into two areas: teaching and expan-ding psychology in Iran, and improving the literacy and general culture of the inhabitants of Iran. Teaching the first psychology course founding the first psychology lab, writing the first textbook of psychology, and founding the Iranian Psychological Association, are exam-ples of the first area, and developing the legal Teacher Training Bill, and passing the Com-pulsory and Free General Education Act are examples of the latter. The combination of these actions has made Siassi a permanent figure in the history of psychology in Iran that is short, and an influential figure in the field of promoting contemporary Iranian culture.