Elliot Aronson

Elliot Aronson (born January 9, 1932) is an American psychologist who is best known for his experiments on the theory of cognitive dissonance and his invention of the jigsaw classroom, a cooperative teaching technique which facilitates learning while reducing intergroup hostility.

Early Life and Education

Aronson was born in Revere, Massachusetts, to a Jewish family. He attended the University of Massachusetts, where he received his B.A. in 1954. He then went on to earn his M.A. from Wesleyan University in 1956 and his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1959.

Career

Aronson has taught at Harvard University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Texas, and the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is currently Professor Emeritus at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

His research on cognitive dissonance has been influential in the field of social psychology. Aronson's experiments demonstrated that when people's actions conflict with their beliefs, they often change their beliefs to align with their actions, rather than the other way around.

In the 1970s, Aronson developed the jigsaw classroom technique as a way to reduce racial tension in schools. This method involves dividing students into small, diverse groups, each of which is responsible for learning a different piece of the lesson. The students then teach their piece to the rest of the group, fostering cooperation and understanding.

Awards and Honors

Aronson has received numerous awards for his contributions to psychology, including the American Psychological Association's Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award and the Association for Psychological Science's William James Fellow Award.

Personal Life

Aronson is married to Vera Aronson and they have two children. He is also an accomplished folk dancer and has written a memoir, Not by Chance Alone: My Life as a Social Psychologist.

See Also

• Cognitive Dissonance
• Jigsaw Classroom
• Social Psychology