Merrill Carlsmith
James Merrill Carlsmith (April 12, 1936 – April 19, 1984)[1] was an American social psychologist perhaps best known for his collaboration with Leon Festinger and Elliot Aronson in the creation and development of cognitive dissonance theory. He also worked extensively with Mark Lepper on the subject of attribution theory. With Jonathan L. Freedman and David O. Sears (his cousin) he wrote the textbook, Social Psychology (1970; subsequent editions published 1974, 1978, and 1981).[2]
J. Merrill Carlsmith | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 12, 1936 New Orleans, Louisiana, United States |
| Died | April 19, 1984 (aged 48) Portola Valley, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Spouse |
Lyn Carlsmith (m. 1963–1984) |
| Children | Christopher Carlsmith, Kimberly Carlsmith Sampson, Kevin M. Carlsmith |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Psychology |
| Institutions | Stanford University |
| Thesis | Strength of Expectancy: Its Determinants and Effects (1963) |
| Doctoral advisor | Elliot Aronson |
| Doctoral students | Phoebe C. Ellsworth |
Carlsmith was married to social psychologist Lyn Carlsmith (born Karolyn Gai Kuckenberg, October 7, 1932 – September 1, 2011) from 1963 until his death,[3] and had three children: Christopher, Kimberly, and Kevin (October 17, 1967 – November 19, 2011).[4] He graduated from Stanford University and Harvard University.[5]
References
- "J. Merrill Carlsmith 1936–1984" (PDF). Stanford University. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
- Social Psychology [WorldCat listing]. OCLC 79448. Retrieved 4 January 2018 – via WorldCat.org.
- "Lyn K Carlsmith Oct. 7, 1932-Sept. 1, 2011". Palo Alto Online. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- "Kevin M. Carlsmith Oct. 17-1967-Nov. 19, 2011". Palo Alto Online. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- "J. Merrill Carlsmith 1936–1984" (PDF). Stanford University. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 27, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.