APA award-winner Zigler offers advice to young psychologists

APA presented its Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology on Thursday evening to Edward F. Zigler, PhD. In addition to being one of the founders of the field of applied developmental psychology, Zigler pioneered the discipline of developmental psychopathology, as well as the developmental approach to mental retardation and adult psychopathology.

In accepting his award, Zigler noted that he attended his first APA convention in 1955 – “so you can see I’m a little long in the tooth,” he joked. On a more serious note, he exhorted the young psychologists in the audience to be engaged and use all their resources to improve society.

“Be aware of how smart you are and how much you know. Knowledge is power,” he said. He advised them to write books and write articles, “but also take your knowledge and utilize it to make our society a better place for both children and adults.”

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Read more about Zigler's award in Medical News Today