Bernard Weiner
Early Life and Education
Bernard Weiner was born on February 10, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended the University of Chicago where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1956. He then proceeded to the University of Michigan for his Master's degree, which he completed in 1958. Weiner continued his studies at the University of Michigan, earning his Ph.D. in Psychology in 1961.
Career
Weiner began his career as an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota in 1961. In 1965, he moved to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he spent the majority of his career. He served as a Professor of Psychology at UCLA from 1965 until his retirement in 2005.
Throughout his career, Weiner conducted extensive research in the field of social psychology, particularly focusing on the theory of attribution. His work has significantly contributed to the understanding of how individuals interpret events and how this relates to their thinking and behavior.
Attribution Theory
Weiner is best known for his development of a comprehensive theory of attribution, which explains how individuals interpret events as being caused by internal or external factors. His theory, often referred to as Weiner's Attribution Theory, is considered one of the most influential theories in the field of social psychology.
Weiner's Attribution Theory is based on the concept that people are motivated to understand the causes of behavior. According to his theory, when an event occurs, people make two main types of attributions: internal and external. Internal attributions refer to factors within the person, such as skills or personality traits. External attributions, on the other hand, refer to factors outside of the person, such as luck or other people's actions.
Achievements and Recognition
Weiner's contributions to the field of psychology have been widely recognized. He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the American Psychological Association's (APA) Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award in 1987 and the APA's Distinguished Scientist Lecturer Award in 1991. In 2000, he was awarded the University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award for Psychology.
Later Life and Legacy
After his retirement from UCLA in 2005, Weiner continued to contribute to the field of psychology through his writings and research. His work continues to be influential in the fields of social psychology and educational psychology, particularly his research on attribution theory.
Weiner passed away on June 26, 2018. His legacy continues to live on through his significant contributions to psychology, particularly through his development of attribution theory.