Thomas K. Srull.

Presents an overview of the career of Thomas K. Srull and his contributions to the field of psychology. For theoretical, empirical and methodological contribution to knowledge about the cognitive underpinnings of social behavior and personality; for major advances in our understanding of the mental representations of individuals and groups, the cognitive processes that underlie their construction, and the use of these representations in making judgments; for ground-breaking research on the role of concept accessibility in the interpretation of social information; and for contributing to the interfaces among cognitive, social and personality psychology. His research, has provided important insights into the dynamics of social memory and the relation between memory and judgment. His areas of influence range from basic cognitive and social psychology to applied research in consumer behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Daniel T. Gilbert.

Daniel T. Gilbert is cited for innovative and insightful research on interpersonal inference. His work in person perception has shown how the interaction of effortful and automatic operations enables people to draw inferences about each other and how multiple demands can cause the breakdown of these operations and produce systematic errors of social judgment. His work on mental representation is a brilliant synthesis of psychology, linguistics, and philosophy that offers a radically new way of construing human belief. A citation, biography, and selected bibliography are presented for Gilbert. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Psychoanalytic theory in the context of contemporary psychology: The Helen Block Lewis memorial address.

This article represents a tribute to the late Helen Block Lewis's commitment to integrating psychology and psychoanalysis. The current status of the formal structure of psychoanalytic theory was reviewed in relation to recent developments in general psychology. Specific attention was paid to the psychodynamic or motivational perspective, the structural perspective, and the genetic or developmental perspective as proposed by Rapaport. Following an examination of current trends in psychoanalysis and of the shift from a drive-, hydraulic energy model toward a relational model, specific proposals were made about the role of emotions as motives, and the implications of the tension between attachment or affiliation versus autonomous or self-esteem needs. In the structural perspective it was proposed that, as in social psychology, emphasis has shifted from the id, ego, superego model to a more specific focus on self schemas and belief systems. The recent emphasis in cognitive and social psychology on out-of-awareness processes suggests a new interest in the so-called topographical model of conscious and unconscious processes. At the developmental level the dominance of the object relations model meshes well with recent child research... (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Martin T. Orne (1927–2000)).

Memorializes Martin T. Orne, one of the world's foremost authorities on hypnosis, an expert on the social psychology of the psychological experiment, and a leading figure in behavioral medicine. During his career he held appointments at the University of Pennsylvania in psychiatry and psychology. His primary research interest was the objective study of subjective states of mind. His doctoral dissertation, published in 1959, largely defined the field of hypnosis research for more than 20 yrs, and his studies of analgesia, antisocial behavior, and human performance are regarded as classic contributions to the field. Largely on the basis of his experience with hypnosis, Orne developed an analysis of the psychological experiment as a distinctive social situation in which both Ss and experimenters are active participants. In addition, he served as Editor in Chief of the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis from 1961–1992. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Theodore M. Newcomb (1903–1984).

Presents an obituary for Theodore M. Newcomb. Newcomb died on December 28, 1984, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, his home base for 40 years. Born in Ohio in 1903, he graduated from Oberlin College and received his doctorate at Columbia University where he worked with Goodwin Watson and Gardner Murphy. In addition to his years at the University of Michigan, his teaching career included posts at Lehigh, Western Reserve, and Bennington. Newcomb was a major pioneer figure in social psychology and a principal force in the development of the social sciences at the University of Michigan. His death has left the field and the community poorer in intellectual and human quality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Floyd H. Allport: American Psychological Foundation Gold Medal Award: 1968.

At the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association in 1968, the American Psychological Foundation (APF) announced the recipient of the APF Gold Medal Award. The presentation was made by Kenneth E. Clark, President of the APF, to Floyd H. Allport. As professor of social and political psychology in the Maxwell Graduate School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Allport directed the first doctoral program in social psychology in the US. Although Allport's experimental work first appeared in 1920, his major impact came with the 1924 appearance of his Social Psychology. His interests in the late 1920s and early 1930s were the investigation of social attitudes and the study of institutional behavior. Allport's contributions have had two major consequences: (a) he shaped the field of social psychology as an area concerned with the basic problems of social influence in which measurement of human behavior is the primary focus, and (b) he furnished the rationale and the example for the behavioral trend in the social sciences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Stanley Schachter (1922-1997): Obituary.

Presents an obituary for Stanley Schachter, who died on June 7, 1997, in East Hampton, New York. It is doubtful that any social psychologist ever produced so many distinguished students. Stanley Schachter's contributions to psychology were extraordinarily broad. They included research and theory on group processes, communication, social influences on personal construction of reality, the affiliation motive, correlates of birth order, the nature of emotional experience, people's ability to attribute the causes of their behavior to external or internal factors, the causes of obesity and eating behavior disorders, and the addictive nature of nicotine. He made psychological research seem extremely exciting, and he convinced his students that they had the capability to do it well. His students, in turn, have themselves been successful as mentors. A remarkable fraction of the most highly regarded social psychologists in the country are the intellectual children, grandchildren, and now even great-grandchildren of this multiply talented investigator with protean interests. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Obituary: Floyd H. Allport (1890-1978).

October 15, 1978 was a dark day for psychology, for it marked the passing of one of its Olympian figures, Floyd Henry Allport. Floyd Allport was the father of experimental social psychology. He was the first to apply experimental methods systematically to the study of group process and social relationships. Social psychology is often assigned 1908 as its birth date because that is the year Edward Ross and William McDougall brought out their systematic treatises on social psychology. But it was not until the appearance of Allport's Social Psychology in 1924 that we had a text based heavily on experimental and research studies. This text made the field, which before its appearance had seen few and scattered courses. Moreover, Allport's continuing contributions in the form of theory and research marked the major avenues along which social psychology was to travel in later decades. Allport was both a distinguished theorist and a creative methodologist. His early formulation of a sophisticated behaviorism and his later event-system theory anticipated developments in the field and in some respects are still in advance of them. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Morton Deutsch.

Morton Deutsch is recognized for his achievements in psychology. This article provides a citation explaining his accomplishments, a biography and a selected bibliography. The citation is as follows: "For rigorous scientific study of significant social problems. Beginning with groundbreaking inquiries into cooperative and competitive relationships, his work produced major advances in society's understanding of racial prejudice, individual conformity, and social justice. Through sustained, systematic investigation, he formulated a unified theory containing principles applicable to intrapersonal and international conflicts as well as interpersonal ones. His methodological innovations made possible controlled study of complex social phenomena, including trust, suspicion, promises, and threats. An inspiring mentor and colleague, he is a model citizen-scientist, devoting selfless effort to improving society through the humane application of scientifically derived knowledge." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Angus Campbell.

Presents the biography and scientific contributions for Angus Campbell, a recipient for the award for Distinguished Scientific Contribution in 1974. For his leadership in bringing social psychology to bear upon the patterning of perceptions, attitudes, and complex behaviors observed in historically significant populations, through the development of the sample survey. His research interests have ranged widely, from seminal studies of political behavior, through race relations, to more recent inquiries concerning the perceived quality of life. His wisdom and far-sightedness as an administrator have nurtured a large research institution of remarkable disciplinary breadth, and he commands the deep respect and affection of his diversely trained colleagues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distinguished Scientific Awards for an Early Career Contribution to Psychology 1986: Philip E. Tetlock.

The Early Career Awards recognize the large number of excellent young psychologists. Three areas are considered each year, with areas rotated in three-year cycles. The areas considered for awards in 1986 were social, sensation and perception, and applied research. Philip E. Tetlock is one of the 1986 recipients of the award "for the building of interdisciplinary bridges between social psychology and other social sciences; for a creative use of alternative research methods; for penetrating analyses of basic theoretical issues in social psychology, such as the tension between cognitive and motivational explanations or between impression management and intrapsychic explanations; for insightful work on the policy relevance of social psychological research; and in particular, for the place of political reasoning and rhetoric in actual policymaking settings. His reviews, integrations, and penetrating analyses of the theoretical issues in social psychology combine an originality, a clarity, and a thoughtfulness in the service of the profession." (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Theodore M. Newcomb: Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award.

Recognizes the receipt of the American Psychological Association's 1976 Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award by Theodore M. Newcomb. The award citation reads: "For his leadership in social psychology which, under his impact, grew from an insignificant subarea of psychology to a field of major importance. Through his diverse contributions he enriched our theoretical and empirical understanding of man's interaction with the social environment. He opened up new fields of inquiry and fostered novel approaches to the study of the relationship of personality and culture. His work led the way to a greater interdisciplinary involvement of social psychology, especially with sociology and anthropology, not only on the conceptual level, but also in the application of interdisciplinary conceptions to pressing social problems." A biography and a listing of the recipient's scientific writings are also included. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Edward C. Webster (1909-1989).

Presents an obituary for Edward C. Webster, recipient of the 1982 Distinguished Award for Contributions to Canadian Psychology as a Profession and Professor Emeritus of McGill University. Webster died on February 15, 1989. His career was dedicated to the application of psychological principles to real life problems, not just in practice but in research, in administration, and in service to his profession and community. Although committed to the development of applied psychology generally, Ed's major impact on theory and research was in industrial psychology, particularly in personnel selection. Like many other practitioners, he made extensive use of the interview as an information gathering technique, upon which recommendations to hire were based. Another major contribution he made to Canadian professional psychology was undoubtedly the role he played in the Couchiching Conference on the training of applied psychologists, which culminated in the book he wrote in 1967, The Couchiching Report: Training in Professional Psychology in Canada. Ed Webster will be long remembered for his commitment to and promotion of applied psychology at McGill and in Canada, for his contributions to the literature in personnel selection, and for his support of the work of students and colleagues. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Paul A. Kolers (1926–1986).

Presents an obituary for Paul A. Kolers (1926–1986). Paul A. Kolers died of lung cancer in Toronto on January 27, 1986. He was born August 14, 1926, in New York City and obtained his BA degree from Queen's College in 1951, and his PhD degree from New York University in 1957. After holding several teaching and research positions, including posts at Bell Labs, Harvard University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he joined the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto in 1970, a position he held until his death. Kolers's intellectual interests were wide ranging, both within psychology and across neighboring disciplines. He was deeply committed to the world of ideas--a commitment that made him a stimulating colleague, but often made him impatient with lines of work he considered misguided. His penetrating critical abilities were expressed in acerbic commentaries on various "information-processing" approaches. His own thinking was independent, but was connected to important historical streams in philosophy and psychology; he was an ingenious experimentalist and a creative theorist. In social situations he was a warm and amusing companion. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ernest Ropiequet Hilgard: Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award.

A Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award was given to Ernest Ropienquet Hilgard by the American Psychological Association for his impressive range of experimental and theoretical work on learning, hypnosis, and education. His research on learning has contributed to topics as diverse as eyelid conditioning, motor learning, and the role of understanding in transfer of training. His studies of hypnosis have extended our knowledge, not only of hypnosis itself, but of psychophysics, motivation, and personality. He has been the definitive interpreter of learning theory to a generation of psychologists, and a leader in exploring the relations of the psychology of learning to other fields. His analyses of the relations between psychology and education have contributed importantly to narrowing the gap between the two fields. As researcher, interpreter, and teacher he has been a scholar in the broadest sense. A brief biography is followed by a list of scientific publications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Persistent complex subliminal activation effects: First experimental observations.

A strong recent focus on unconscious processes has increased interest in subliminal stimulation and other experimental activation technologies. Five experiments using male and female university students (N = 365) were carried out to compare 5-ms exposures of "mommy and I" stimuli with 5-ms control stimulation. Measures of self-mother similarity and other variables taken 7-14 days after exposure were more strongly correlated among experimental participants. Such complex, persistent effects may follow when powerfully activating stimuli administered under wholly unconscious conditions provokes schematic processing of social information and behavioral confirmation. These scientifically exciting and ethically problematic findings imply a need for further reduction of the role accorded to conscious volition and control in psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Carl R. Rogers: Distinguished Professional Contribution Award.

Recognizes the receipt of the American Psychological Association's first Distinguished Professional Contribution Award by Carl Rogers on September 2, 1972 (at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association in Honolulu). The award citation reads: "His commitment to the whole person has been an example which has guided and challenged the practice of psychology in the schools, in industry, and throughout the community. By devising, practicing, evaluating, and teaching a method of psychotherapy and counseling which reaches to the very roots of human potentiality and individuality, he has caused all psychotherapists to reexamine their procedures in a new light. Innovator in personality research, pioneer in the encounter movement, and a respected gadfly of organized psychology, he has made a lasting impression on the profession of psychology." Rogers's biography and bibliography are also included. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Distinguished Scientific Award for the Applications of Psychology: Leonard Berkowitz.

The Distinguished Scientific Award for the Applications of Psychology is presented to a person who has made distinguished theoretical or empirical advances leading to the understanding or amelioration of important practical problems. The 1988 winner is Leonard Berkowitz. Berkowitz is cited for his integrative work in combining experimental and social psychology theoretically and methodologically. His systematic research on aggression both with respect to its causes and its targets has been comprehensive in its scope, precise in its specification, and cumulative in its impact upon theory and practice. In addition to the citation, a biography and selected bibliography of Berkowitz's published works are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Obituary: Daniel Katz (1903–1998).

Memorializes Daniel Katz, known for his work in the field of social psychology. He was among the earliest users of survey methods to study social psychological problems, and he improved the methods with which he worked. His early studies on racial stereotypes illuminated the nature and extent of prejudice, and his later cross-cultural research revealed the various forms of nationalism. His theoretical research on attitude formation and change linked methods of change to the different motivational bases of attitudes themselves. Finally, his sustained interest in formal organizations reflected his conviction that these massively influential factors in modern life were a necessary part of a comprehensive social psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)