Carolyn Wood Sherif: biography of this social psychologist

This researcher set out to improve the world through social psychology.

Carolyn Wood Sherif (1922-1982) was a social psychologist who, among other things, conducted important research on topics such as intergroup conflict, cooperation, power relations, social judgment, prejudice, and gender identities.

Wood Sherif's work was carried out in a context that did little to promote the participation of women in social psychology, and is considered one of the most influential for the development of this discipline. The following is a brief review of a biography a brief review of a biography of Carolyn Wood Sherifand we will see some of her contributions to social psychology and gender studies.

Carolyn Wood Sherif: biography of a pioneer in social psychology

Carolyn Wood Sherif was born on June 28, 1922 in Indiana, USA. She was the youngest daughter of three siblings, to whom a strong motivation for high-level studies, especially in the exact sciences, was soon transmitted. Her father was attached to Purdue University, so both Carolyn and her siblings had the opportunity to begin an academic education at that institution.

Although her interests were primarily in the humanities, history and other social sciences, her father's insistence led Carolyn to pursue mathematics as well. She was soon positioned as one of the top students one of the best students in various fields, before moving on to social psychology..

• You may be interested in, "What is Social Psychology?"

Beginnings in social psychology

After training in various disciplines, and once she had established herself as a social psychologist, Wood Sherif herself wondered.... how did I ever become a social psychologist? (1983). There were not many opportunities to train and practice as a social psychologist in this context, and furthermore, mixed patterns of professional development and family commitments were unusual.

Turning to the U.S. context of World War II, which is where her academic and personal development was taking place, she herself responds that it was her desire to do something for the betterment of the world that led her to ask herself different questions, which gradually brought her closer to social psychology.

This desire also led her to wonder about the possibilities of this discipline to integrate the study of human cognition with motivation and social behavior. He was interested, for example, in the social psychology developed by Kurt Lewin, as well as studies in cultural and social organization, as done by Muzafer Sherif and Frederic Bartlett.

Carolyn Wood Sherif and Muzafer Sherif

After completing her studies at Purdue University, she entered the University of Iowa to pursue a master's degree in psychology, which she completed in 1944. Subsequently began working for a research institute in Princeton, New Jersey.New Jersey. Through this position she gained much experience in research, however, she felt that it was work that was very foreign to the social issues in which she was interested, so she eventually decided to resign.

At this point she began to take advice on where and with whom to continue her studies, and got a proposal to work as a researcher also at Princeton, but together with Muzafer Sherif, who was already one of the most important social psychologists.

The drawback now was that Princeton University did not accept female students, so Carolyn began taking courses at Columbia University. began taking courses at Columbia University. In parallel, however, she continued to conduct research with Sherif, especially on the subject of intergroup relations. Years later, Muzafer Sherif would become her husband.

The cave of thieves

In the years that followed, Carolyn Wood Sherif and Muzafer Sherif continued to work together at Princeton University, Yale University and Oklahoma University, publishing numerous articles and books that are widely consulted in social psychology to this day.

However, due to the frequent neglect of women's scientific activity in this context, it is common for Carolyn Wood's participation in such work to be dismissed or omitted outright, and for credit to be reserved for Muzafer alone.

One of his most popular investigations is the classic den of thieves experiment, where they analyzed the possible origins of prejudice in different social groups, as well as various intergroup dynamics.where they analyzed the possible origins of prejudice in different social groups, as well as various intergroup dynamics. In very broad terms, they conducted an experiment with 22 adolescent boys in an Oklahoma campground, where they were able to observe how group formation occurs, how social hierarchies are created; and what are some of the origins of friction, hostility and integration.

Academic activity and lines of research

In 1958, Carolyn Wood Sherif began training in a doctoral program at the University of Texas, under the supervision of Wayne Holtzman and the accompaniment of Muzafer Sherif and her three daughters. She graduated in 1961, and directed a project at the U.S. Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, where she focused on self-concept and youth studies.where she focused on self-concept and youth studies.

She also worked as a research associate at the Oklahoma Institute of Group Relations and published numerous articles and books on youth, reference groups, attitudes and social justice. Finally, in the 1960's her interests focused on psychology and gender, specifically gender identity, roles, and their reproduction. The latter coincided with the feminist movements of the same decade, which favored both her academic recognition and her militancy.

In this context, she chaired Division 35 of the American Psychological Association (APA) during the 1970s, which is known as the Psychological Society. known as the Society for the Psychology of Women.. Her work and experience have earned her several awards, including distinguished publication awards and awards for her contributions to education in psychology.

In the same vein, Division 35 of the APA has dedicated an award in her honor (the Carolyn Wood Sherif Award), through which it recognizes the work of teaching, research and professional leadership in the psychology of women, both psychologists and psychologists.

Bibliographical references:

• George, M. (2011). Profile. Carolyn Wood Sherif. Psychology's Feminist Voices. Retrieved June 27, 2018. Available at http://www.feministvoices.com/carolyn-wood-sherif/.
• O'Connell, A. and Russo, N. (1983). Models of achievement: Reflections of eminent women in psychology. New York: Columbia University Press.