April 2026

AERA 1980–81 Past President Frank Farley passed away on March 20 at the age of 89. An internationally respected psychologist, scholar, and public intellectual, Farley was the Laura H. Carnell Professor of Educational Psychology at Temple University. He was elected an AERA Fellow in 2008.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. Farley,” said AERA Executive Director Tabbye Chavous. “He leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire researchers, educators, and students for years to come.”

A prolific psychologist, Farley was best known for formulating the concept of the Type T (thrill-seeking) personality, which theorized that some individuals require higher levels of stimulation to maintain optimal functioning.

He frequently contributed to major media outlets, including Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and CNN. He also wrote a blog for Psychology Today, titled “The People’s Professor,” until 2013.

Farley received his BA and MA from the University of Saskatchewan and his PhD from the University of London. Before joining Temple University, he taught at the University of Wisconsin–Madison for nearly three decades.

In addition to Farley’s leadership in AERA, he also served as president of the American Psychological Association and several of its divisions. He was also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the New York Academy of Sciences, and the Canadian Psychological Association.

His intellectual contributions and service to AERA continue to resonate across the association and the broader research community.