Howard Harvard Kendler (June 9, 1919 — February 17, 2011)[1] was an American psychologist who conducted research on latent and discrimination learning. He also published influential analyses of the theoretical and methodological foundations of modern psychology.[2]

Howard H. Kendler
Born
Howard Harvard Kendler

(1919-06-09)June 9, 1919
DiedFebruary 17, 2011(2011-02-17) (aged 91)
NationalityAmerican
EducationBrooklyn College
University of Iowa
Known forResearch on latent and discrimination learning
SpouseTracy Kendler
ChildrenKenneth and Joel
Scientific career
FieldsPsychology
InstitutionsUniversity of Colorado
New York University
University of California, Santa Barbara
Thesis An experimental investigation of the interaction between the hunger and thirst drives in the white rat  (1943)
Doctoral advisorKenneth Spence
Other academic advisorsSolomon Asch
Abraham Maslow

Early life and education edit

Kendler was born on June 9, 1919, in New York City, New York. He studied psychology at Brooklyn College, where he worked as an assistant to Abraham Maslow and conducted a project on thinking under the supervision of Solomon Asch.[1] During this time, Kendler became interested in Gestalt psychology, which prompted him to enroll at the University of Iowa in the hopes of working with Kurt Lewin. However, Kendler later changed his mind and chose to work with Kenneth Spence, under whose supervision Kendler received his Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in 1943.[2]

Academic career edit

After serving in the United States Army during World War II, Kendler joined the faculty of the University of Colorado as an assistant professor after the University successfully persuaded the Army to discharge him.[3] In 1948, he joined the faculty of New York University, where he became Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Department of Psychology at University College in 1951. In 1963, he joined the faculty of the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He was a fellow of the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences in 1969 and 1970, and served as president of the Western Psychological Association in 1971. He retired from the faculty of UCSB in 1990.[2]

Personal life and death edit

Kendler was married to Tracy Kendler (born Tracy Sylvia Seedman), who was also an academic psychologist. In addition to their marriage, the two collaborated on some of their research on discrimination learning.[2] They had two sons: Kenneth and Joel.[3] Howard and Tracy Kendler named their second son Kenneth after Kenneth Spence, the Ph.D. supervisor whom they had both shared.[4] Howard Kendler died on February 17, 2011, in Santa Barbara, California.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Foley, John M. (September 2012). "Howard H. Kendler (1919-2011)". The American Psychologist. 67 (6): 490–491. doi:10.1037/a0028360. ISSN 1935-990X. PMID 22963414.
  2. ^ a b c d "Howard Kendler Memorial" (PDF). University of California, Santa Barbara. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
  3. ^ a b "In Memoriam, 2001". University of California. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  4. ^ Kendler, Kenneth S.; Prescott, Carol A. (2007-11-01). Genes, Environment, and Psychopathology: Understanding the Causes of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders. Guilford Press. pp. v. ISBN 9781593856458.