Harold Kelley
Early Life and Education
Harold Kelley was born on February 16, 1921, in Boise, Idaho. He developed an early interest in psychology, which led him to pursue his undergraduate studies in the field at the Boise State University. After completing his bachelor's degree, Kelley went on to earn his Ph.D. in psychology from the Yale University in 1943. His doctoral thesis, supervised by Carl Hovland, was on the topic of communication and persuasion, a subject that would continue to interest him throughout his career.
Career and Contributions to Psychology
After completing his Ph.D., Kelley began his academic career as an instructor at Yale University. He later moved to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he spent the majority of his career. At UCLA, Kelley was instrumental in developing the field of social psychology, particularly in the area of interpersonal relationships.
Kelley is perhaps best known for his work on attribution theory, a framework for understanding how individuals interpret and explain their own and others' behavior. His seminal paper, "The Processes of Causal Attribution" (1967), is considered a classic in the field. In this work, Kelley proposed that people make causal attributions based on three types of information: consensus, consistency, and distinctiveness. This became known as Kelley's cube or Kelley's attribution cube.
In addition to his work on attribution theory, Kelley also made significant contributions to the study of interpersonal attraction and close relationships. His research in this area focused on the role of personal characteristics and situational factors in attraction, as well as the dynamics of close relationships. His book, "Personal Relationships: Their Structures and Processes" (1979), co-authored with John Thibaut, is a key text in the field.
Later Life and Legacy
Kelley retired from UCLA in 1991 but continued to be active in the field of social psychology. He passed away on January 29, 2003, leaving behind a significant body of work that continues to influence the field of social psychology.
Kelley's contributions to 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 1980 and the APA's Award for Distinguished Theoretical and Philosophical Contributions to Psychology in 1999.
Today, Kelley's work continues to be highly influential in the field of social psychology. His theories on attribution and interpersonal relationships are still widely taught in psychology courses, and his research continues to inspire new studies in these areas.