Theodore Newcomb

Theodore Newcomb was an American psychologist renowned for his significant contributions to social psychology. He developed theories on social perception and interpersonal relationships, particularly through his famous "Bennington Study," which analyzed how students' political views evolved over time in a liberal college environment. Newcomb emphasized the importance of group dynamics and attitudes in shaping behavior. He is also known for the concept of "social distance," which examines how individuals perceive and relate to others based on their social closeness or dissimilarity. His work laid foundational principles for understanding social influence and attitude change within communities.