Donald T. Campbell

Donald T. Campbell (1916–1996) was an American social scientist renowned for his work in methodology. He is noted for his development of the concept of "evolutionary epistemology", and his work in the philosophy of science.

Early Life and Education

Campbell was born on November 20, 1916, in Grass Lake, Michigan. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he majored in psychology. He later pursued his doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, where he specialized in social psychology.

Career

Campbell began his career as a faculty member at Northwestern University, where he taught for several years. He later moved to Lehigh University, where he served as a professor of psychology and sociology. He also held positions at the University of Chicago and Syracuse University.

Campbell's work spanned several areas of the social sciences, but he is perhaps best known for his contributions to the field of methodology. He developed the concept of "evolutionary epistemology", a theory that applies the principles of biological evolution to the growth of human knowledge. He also made significant contributions to the philosophy of science, particularly in the area of research design and the use of experimentation in social science research.

Legacy

Campbell's work has had a profound impact on the field of social science. His theories continue to influence the way researchers approach the study of human behavior and society. His contributions to the field have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Scientific Contributions.

See Also

• Evolutionary Epistemology
• Social Science Methodology
• Philosophy of Science