Robert M. Thorndike (born March 2 1943) is an American psychologist and academic author. He is noted for authoring several widely used textbooks on research methodology and psychometrics, and for his long‑term faculty appointment at Western Washington University.
Early life and education
Thorndike was born in the United States in 1943. He is the son of psychologist Robert L. Thorndike and the grandson of Edward Lee Thorndike, both prominent figures in the field of psychology. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Wesleyan University in 1965 and completed his doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota, receiving a Ph.D. in 1970.
Academic career
Immediately after obtaining his doctorate, Thorndike joined the faculty of Western Washington University, where he taught psychology from 1970 until his retirement, after which he was designated Professor Emeritus. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association (APA), Division 5 (Quantitative and Qualitative Methods). In 1994, Thorndike was one of the signatories of the “Mainstream Science on Intelligence” editorial published in the Wall Street Journal.
Research and publications
Thorndike’s scholarly work focuses on research design, statistical methods, and the measurement of psychological attributes. His textbooks, often adopted in undergraduate and graduate curricula, include:
- Cross‑Cultural Research Methods (1973, co‑authored with R. W. Brislin and W. J. Lonner)
- Correlational Procedures for Research (1978)
- Data Collection and Analysis: Basic Statistics (1982)
- A Century of Ability Testing (1990, co‑authored with D. Lohman)
- Measurement and Evaluation in Psychology and Education (multiple editions, 2005 onward)
- Introductory Statistics for Psychology and Education (2001, co‑authored with D. L. Dinnel)
These works are recognized for their clear exposition of statistical concepts and their application to educational and psychological assessment.
Professional affiliations and recognitions
In addition to his APA fellowship, Thorndike has contributed to various professional committees and editorial boards related to psychometrics and educational measurement. His involvement in the “Mainstream Science on Intelligence” statement reflects engagement with public discourse on intelligence research.
Selected bibliography
| Year | Title | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Cross‑Cultural Research Methods (with R. W. Brislin & W. J. Lonner) | Wiley‑Interscience |
| 1978 | Correlational Procedures for Research | Gardner Press |
| 1982 | Data Collection and Analysis: Basic Statistics | Gardner Press |
| 1990 | A Century of Ability Testing (with D. Lohman) | Riverside Publishing |
| 2001 | Introductory Statistics for Psychology and Education (with D. L. Dinnel) | Prentice Hall |
| 2005 (7th ed.) | Measurement and Evaluation in Psychology and Education | Macmillan/Pearson |
Personal background
Thorndike’s lineage places him within a notable family of psychologists; his father, Robert L. Thorndike, contributed to the development of standardized testing, and his grandfather, Edward Lee Thorndike, was a pioneering figure in educational psychology and behaviorism.
Legacy
Through his textbooks and long‑standing teaching career, Robert M. Thorndike has influenced multiple generations of students and practitioners in psychology, education, and the social sciences, particularly in the areas of research methodology and measurement theory.
