Elliot Aronson is perhaps best known for his experiments
refining the theory of cognitive dissonance, which states that
people will change their attitudes or behaviors to reduce
cognitive discomfort caused by performing actions that are
inconsistent with their beliefs. He is also recognized for his
work seeking to understand and reduce intergroup and racial
conflict — leading to the creation of the Jigsaw Classroom
intervention program. Aronson is known for applying theory and
research to real-world problems, and for challenging researchers
to adapt their findings for use in everyday life. His textbook
The Social Animal, has been widely used for over 40 years.
Aronson is the only person to have won all three of APA’s major
awards for distinguished writing, distinguished teaching, and
distinguished research. The Review of General Psychology listed
him as one of the 100 most eminent psychologists of the 20th
century. He is also the recipient of the Donald Campbell Award,
the Gordon Allport Prize and the Associa