Gordon Willard Allport

Gordon Willard Allport

American psychologist
Date of Birth: 11.11.1897
Country: USA

Content:
  1. Gordon Willard Allport: American Psychologist
  2. Academic Career
  3. Notable Works
  4. Legacy

Gordon Willard Allport: American Psychologist

Gordon Willard Allport (1897-1967) was an American psychologist known for his contributions to the field of personality and social psychology. He was born on November 11, 1897, in Montezuma, Indiana. Allport received his education at Harvard University, as well as the universities of Berlin, Hamburg, and Cambridge.

Academic Career

Allport taught at Robert College in Constantinople, Harvard, and Dartmouth College before becoming a professor of psychology at Harvard University in 1942. He gained recognition for his theory of "functional autonomy," which challenged the prevailing views on adult motivation as being solely driven by inherited or infantile motivations. According to Allport's theory, means can become ends in themselves. This theory received widespread acceptance and displaced the older views on adult motivation.

Notable Works

Allport served as the editor of the "Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology" from 1937 to 1949. He authored several significant works, including "Studies in Expressive Movement" (1933), "The Psychology of Radio" (1935), "Personality: A Psychological Interpretation" (1937), "The Nature of Prejudice" (1954), and "Becoming: Basic Considerations for a Psychology of Personality" (1955).

Legacy

Gordon Willard Allport passed away on October 9, 1967, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He left a lasting impact on the field of psychology with his theories on personality and social psychology. His theory of functional autonomy, which challenged traditional views on motivation, continues to influence the understanding of human behavior. Allport's contributions to the field are highly regarded and have had a lasting impact on the study of psychology.

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