How did William Moulton Marston's work in psychology influence Wonder Woman?

William Moulton Marston’s background in psychology and his unconventional personal life were foundational to the creation of Wonder Woman. Marston, a maverick scientist, explicitly designed the character as "psychological propaganda" to promote his belief that women should lead the world into a new, peaceful age.12

His influence manifested in several key ways:

• Lie Detection: Marston is credited with inventing a precursor to the lie detector. Scholars frequently link this work to Wonder Woman’s signature magic golden lasso, which compels those bound by it to tell the truth.12
• Feminist Ideals: His long-standing support for women’s suffrage and his relationships with influential women—including his wife, Elizabeth Holloway Marston, and Olive Byrne, the niece of birth-control pioneer Margaret Sanger—shaped the character's identity as a feminist icon.12
• Psychological Theories: Marston’s book Emotions of Normal People argued that emotions often labeled as abnormal, such as desires for dominance or submission, were natural. These themes were woven into the character's development as a strong, alluring figure who embodied both power and compassion.2