Morris Viteles
Morris Simon Viteles (March 21, 1898 - December 7, 1996)[1] was an influential researcher and writer in the field of industrial and organizational psychology. His book Industrial Psychology, published in 1932, was the first comprehensive modern textbook in the field.[2] His writings were so influential that he was often regarded as the founder of the field, although he disavowed that claim.[3]
Early life and education[edit]
Viteles was born in Russia in 1898.[4] His parents moved to England when he was an infant, and in 1904, the family moved to the United States.[2]
Viteles graduated from high school in Philadelphia at the age of 16.[2] He enrolled at the Philadelphia School of Pedagogy, initially determined to become a history teacher.[5] However, within a year he had resolved on a career in psychology.[5]
Viteles completed his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees at the University of Pennsylvania in psychology in 1918, 1919, and 1921, respectively.[2]
Career[edit]
In 1921, Viteles' academic career began when he set up the world's first vocational guidance center at the University of Pennsylvania, under the direction of his doctoral adviser Lightner Witmer.[5] In 1922, Viteles was one of the first to use the technique of job analysis, which he used to select employees for a trolley car company.[6]
Viteles' 1953 book, Motivation and Morale in Industry, supplemented his seminal 1932 textbook Industrial Psychology by addressing the organizational side of the field.[4] Both works were sometimes known as the "Bible" of their respective fields.[1]
In 1963, Viteles took the position of Dean of the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education.[2] In 1968, Viteles retired from the deanship, and from the University of Pennsylvania.[2]
Following his retirement, Viteles received numerous accolades, including an honorary degree from the University of Pennsylvania.[1] In 1988, Viteles received the Psychological Professional Gold Medal Award from the American Psychological Association.[5][1]
Throughout his career, Viteles took consulting work with large firms, in addition to his teaching and research.[2] He is consequently regarded as an early example of the practitioner–scholar model.[4]
Viteles was also known for the strongly international perspective he brought to the field, building connections with psychologists in numerous European countries.[2] He served as president of the International Association of Applied Psychology from 1958 until his 1968 retirement.[1]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e Maura J. Mills (January 2012). "The Beginnings of Industrial Psychology: The Life and Work of Morris Viteles". Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Karen Freeman (1996-12-15). "M.S. Viteles, 98, Industrial Psychologist, Dies". New York Times.
- ^ Gary P. Latham (2012). Work Motivation: History, Theory, Research, and Practice. p. 15. ISBN 978-1412990936.
- ^ a b c Laura L. Koppes (2014). Historical Perspectives in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Psychology Press. ISBN 978-1317824480.
- ^ a b c d "History of psychology at Penn: Morris Viteles". University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 2017-11-29.
- ^ Frank J. Landy; Jeffrey M. Conte (2010). Work in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology. John Wiley & Sons. p. 203. ISBN 978-1405190251.
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