Katona, George, 1901-1981

Professor of economics and psychology, and research coordinator for the Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, at the University of Michigan.

From the description of George Katona papers, 1929-1981. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34420691

George Katona was born in Budapest, Hungary on November 6,1901. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Goettingen, Germany in 1921. For several years, first in Germany, then in the United States, Katona worked alternately as a psychologist, an economist, and as a journalist. After 1938 he began to integrate his diverse professional interests at the New School for Social Research, New York, the University of Chicago, and as an employee of the federal government in Washington. From 1946 until his retirement in 1972, Dr. Katona has been affiliated with the University of Michigan as Professor of Economics, Professor of Psychology, and Research Coordinator for the Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research. He founded and for many years directed the Surveys of Consumer Finances, and devised the Index of Consumer Sentiment.

Katona was a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, American Statistical Association and the American Economic Association. He has authored numerous articles and books, several of which have been translated into foreign languages. Katona summarized his theoretical approach and his findings in Psychological Economics (Elsevier, 1972). In 1977 the University of Amsterdam, Holland, awarded him an honorary degree of Doctor of Economic Sciences. In the same year the American Psychological Association bestowed on him its Distinguished Professional Contribution Award.

Throughout his career, Katona sought to study economic problems in terms of psychology. A pioneer in the field of consumer psychology and economic forecasting. Katona was described by some as the "dean of behavioral economics". He died in 1981 at the age of 79.

From the guide to the George Katona Papers, 1929-1981, (Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan)