Collections : [University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library]

Professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, known for his work in social psychology, organizational behavior and race relations; papers document his teaching and research activities 1925-1997, and involvement in professional organizations.

Daniel Katz's papers document his research and teaching activities from 1925 to 1997. His papers reflect the major issues and trends in social psychology, from its early development through its edification as a discipline. The development of Katz's thinking and work is illuminated through his extensive correspondence with contemporaries, articles and other publications, and research materials.

The Katz collection is divided into nine series: Personal; Professional Correspondence; Office of War Information; Professional organizations and related; Research and Surveys; Teaching and course materials; Articles; Published/Unpublished Materials; and Topical Files.

The Institute for Social Research (ISR), an interdisciplinary center for social science research, was created in 1949 when the Research Center for Group Dynamics (founded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology) joined the university's Survey Research Center. ISR houses the Center for Political Studies (CPS), Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), Population Studies Center (PSC), Research Center for Group Dynamics (RCGD), and the Survey Research Center (SRC). Records document the founding and development of ISR and its related centers and programs and include audiovisual materials, minutes, correspondence, topical files, reports, and proposals. Administrative records include governance committees and director's files. Records of the Program for Research on Black Americans (PRBA) consist of grant proposals, survey instruments, focus group transcriptions, correspondence, bulletins, and internal governance records created under the auspices of PRBA and its various projects. Records of the Research Center for Group Dynamics are primarily the papers of director Kurt Lewin, including manuscripts and talks. Survey Research Center records consist largely of proposal and project files, although they also include faculty oral histories. The records of the Population Studies Center consist of lectures from its founder, Dr. Ronald Freedman, while the Center for Political Studies contains one binder of material from the American National Election Survey conducted in 1980.

The Institute for Social Research (ISR) records are dated from 1936-2017 (scattered) and consist of 143.8 linear feet (in 146 boxes) and digital files (online). Materials in this record group include audiovisual material, committee files (which include minutes and agendas), correspondence, directors' files, oral histories, publications, reports, and topical files. These records document the founding and subsequent development of ISR as well as its centers and programs, particularly the Program for Research on Black Americans (PRBA) and the Survey Research Center (SRC). The records also provide an overview of ISR's administration and the evolution of social science survey research methodology.

There are gaps in the records, which can be addressed in part through the papers of Rensis Likert, Angus Campbell, Dorwin P. Cartwright, and Philip E. Converse—all of which are held at the Bentley Historical Library (BHL). When viewed in conjunction with other ISR-related personal papers in the Bentley Historical Library, a rich and detailed picture of the growth of ISR as a center and the social science research discipline emerges.

Social psychologist, specialist in the theory of cognitive dissonance, with interest in the fields of visual perception, archaeology and pre-historic social organization. Papers, primarily from his years at Stanford University, include correspondence, speeches, unpublished articles, reports, some research material and files relating to various professional organizations and meetings.

The Leon Festinger papers document the career of one of the leading psychologists of our time. Material exists from all phases of his career and shows evidence of his work in social psychology, visual perception, and pre-historic social organization. However, as Festinger noted on several occasions, much material was jettisoned to lighten the load for each move to a new university. Consequently, more documentation exists from his later career (especially after the mid-1960s) than from earlier periods. Except for occasional reminiscences, very little information is included regarding time spent at the University of Michigan or his association with the Institute for Social Research. While the collection contains only limited primary research material, references to that research and to his many experiments in social psychology and perception may be found in his correspondence. His activities as a reviewer, consultant, and proponent of international academic cooperation are especially well-documented in his correspondence. The original arrangement of the Leon Festinger collection has largely been maintained. The collection is divided into three series: Early Writing and Research (1939-1957); Alphabetical Files (1950-1989); and Reprint File (1940-1986).

Social psychologist and political scientist, professor of sociology and political science at the University of Michigan, and director of the University's Institute for Social Research. Materials provide an overview of Philip Converse's career at the University of Michigan and document its three main components: scholar, professor, and administrator. Records include correspondence, topical and administrative files, research material, photographs and oral history.

The Philip Converse collection is divided into ten series: Biography; Writings and Lectures; Correspondence; Teaching Materials; Study Materials; Conferences, Professional Associations and Committees; Administrative Files; Grant Proposals; Photographs; and Oral History. These divisions are designed to provide an overview of Philip Converse's career at the University of Michigan and document its three main components: scholar, professor, and administrator.

Social psychologist, Columbia University professor of psychology, affiliated with the Research Center for Group Dynamics; collection includes publications and professional papers.

The papers of Dr. Stanley Schachter are divided into four series: Publications and papers, Research Correspondence and Notes, Journals and other professional activities, and Biographical/personal.

The papers were first arranged by Dr. Schachter's wife, Sophia Schachter, before arriving at the Bentley Historical Library. Included in some folders are lists compiled by Mrs. Schachter detailing their contents. In some cases, she has also included a brief history of who worked with Dr. Schachter on certain projects.