Wendell Johnson

Wendell Johnson (1906–1965) was an American speech pathologist and psychologist associated with the University of Iowa. He became a leading figure in the study of stuttering, emphasizing how listeners’ reactions and labeling can shape speech difficulties. Johnson helped develop influential approaches to diagnosis and therapy and wrote widely for both professional and general audiences. He is also linked to the controversial 1939 “Monster Study,” a University of Iowa experiment on children that later drew strong ethical criticism for its methods and potential harm. Johnson’s work left a lasting impact on speech-language pathology and debates about research ethics.