Anastasi, Anne, 1908-2001

Anne Anastasi was born December 19, 1908 in Manhattan, New York to Anthony and Theresa Anastasi. In school, Anastasi skipped several grades, graduating elementary school early as the top student in her class. After two years at Rhodes Preparatory School, she elected to take the College Entrance Examination Board and did well enough to be accepted at Barnard College at the age of 15. At Barnard, Anastasi majored in psychology, taking classes with Harry Hollingworth, and published a paper on musical preference with Frederick Lund in 1928. After her undergraduate education, Anastasi entered Columbia's doctoral program and completed her PhD at age 21.

Upon completion of her PhD in 1930, Anastasi taught at Barnard College until 1939. She then became an assistant professor and psychology chair at Queens College. Anastasi moved to Fordham University as an associate professor in 1947, and in 1951 she became a full professor, remaining at Fordham for the rest of her career. She was the psychology chair from 1968-1974. Anastasi retired in 1979 as professor emeritus but continued working into her retirement years.

Anastasi's work revolved around issues of testing. She was particularly involved in demonstrating that tests were not culture-free. She published over 150 books, articles, and monographs. Her 1954 book Psychological Testing went through several revisions, translations, and is regarded as an essential psychology text.

Anastasi was involved in a variety of organizations, typically in leadership positions. She was a president of the Eastern Psychological Association, American Psychological Foundation, American Psychological Association Divisions 1 and 5, and president of the entire American Psychological Association in 1972. The APA awarded her the Distinguished Scientific Award for the Applications of Psychology. She also received the Educational Testing Services Award for Distinguished Service to Measurement, the American Education Research Association's Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research in Education, and the American Psychological Foundation's Gold Medal for Life Achievement. In 1987 she was awarded the National Medal for Science from President Reagan.

Anne Anastasi died on May 4, 2001.

From the guide to the Anne Anastasi papers, 1930-1991, (Center for the History of Psychology)