Aaron T. Beck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aaron T. Beck
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| Born |
Aaron Temkin Beck
July 18, 1921 Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
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| Died | November 1, 2021 (aged 100) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Brown University, Yale Medical School |
| Known for | his research on psychotherapy, psychopathology, suicide, and psychometrics |
| Spouse(s) |
Phyllis W. Beck (m. 1950)
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| Awards | Grawemeyer Award in Psychology (2004) Lasker Award (2006) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Psychiatrist |
| Institutions | University of Pennsylvania, Center for the Treatment and Prevention of Suicide |
| Influenced | Martin Seligman, Judith S. Beck |
Aaron Temkin Beck (July 18, 1921 – November 1, 2021) was an American psychiatrist and a professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. He was thought to be as the father of cognitive therapy, and his theories are widely used in the treatment of clinical depression.
Early life
Beck was born in Providence, Rhode Island to a family of Russian Jewish immigrants. He studied at Brown University and at Yale Medical School.
Career
Beck also developed self-report measures of depression and anxiety including Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Hopelessness Scale, Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Youth Inventories. Beck is known for his research in psychotherapy, psychopathology, suicide, and psychometrics, which led to his creation of cognitive therapy and the BDI, one of the most widely used instruments for measuring depression severity.
Beck worked with psychologist Maria Kovacs in the creation of the Children's Depression Inventory, which used the BDI as a model. Beck's work at the University of Pennsylvania inspired Martin Seligman to create his own cognitive techniques and exercises, and later work on learned helplessness.
Beck is the President Emeritus of the non-profit Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy and the Honorary President of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy, which certifies qualified cognitive therapists.
Personal life
Beck married judge Phyllis W. Beck in 1950. Together, they had four children. He lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Beck turned 100 on July 18, 2021 and died later in the year on November 1 at his home in Philadelphia.
