Kelley, Harold H.

Harold Harding Kelley is most widely known for his work in attribution theory, interdependence theory and the dynamics of close personal relationships. Kelley was born in Boise, Idaho on February 16, 1921. Kelley received his Bachelor's degree, with highest honors in psychology, in 1942 from the University of California, Berkeley. He continued there for his master's degree. In 1943 Kelley performed his military service in several research units of the U.S. Air Force Aviation Psychology Program. Kelley and John W. Thibaut wrote "The Social Psychology of Groups" and "Interpersonal Relations: A Theory of Interdependence". Kelley's work in conflict resolution among young couples resulted in his book "Personal Relationships: Their Structures and Processes" in 1979. It also led to collaboration with Ellen Berscheid and other social psychologists. Kelley died on January 29, 2003 at the age of 81.

From the guide to the Harold H. Kelley papers, 1945-1990, (Center for the History of Psychology)