Edward E. Jones

Edward Ellsworth Jones (1927-1993) was an influential social psychologist who worked at Duke University for most of his career, then moving to Princeton University in 1977. He earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Harvard University.

Much of Jones' work is centered on the attribution process, co-developing his theory of correspondent inferences with Keith Davis. One of the most well-known single papers co-authored with Victor Harris in 1967 tested this theory and led to the development of the fundamental attribution error.

He studied and wrote a book on the psychology of ingratiation, and wrote and edited several other books. He was also an opponent of behaviorism.

In 2004, a book of his selected works was published by John Wiley & Sons, edited by former student Daniel Gilbert.

Notable contributions

 * fundamental attribution error
 * outgroup homogeneity bias
 * self-handicapping
 * self-presentation theory