Richard H. Walters: 1918-1967Author(s): Albert BanduraSource: Child Development, Vol. 39, No. 4 (Dec., 1968), pp. 1007-1008Published by: Wiley on behalf of the Society for Research in Child DevelopmentStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1127270 .

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CHILD DEVELOPMENT DECEMBER 1968 VOL. 39, NO. 4

RICHARD H. WALTERS: 1918-1967

ALBERT BANDURA

Stanford University

On December 27, 1967, Richard Walters died with tragic suddenness while saving from a smoldering fire puppies that he was raising for the study of attachment behavior. A gifted man has been lost from our ranks at the height of his productive career.

Richard Walters was born on November 5, 1918, in Monmouthshire, Wales, and received his preliminary education in English boarding schools. He often remarked, half in jest, that he owed his research interests in the effects of punishment to his frequent encounters with stern headmasters. Walters completed B.A. and M.A. degrees, principally in English literature and psychology, at the University of Bristol, and then went on to Oxford University where he obtained a B.Phil. in 1948 in philosophy. Shortly after his graduation he accepted a position as lecturer at the University of Auck- land. While residing in New Zealand he also devoted some of his time to the study of crime and delinquency, a secondary interest that he maintained throughout his career.

After a year of graduate study at the University of Kansas, Walters came to Stanford University in 1954, where he received his Ph.D. degree 3 years later. He then joined the faculty of the University of Toronto, a position which he filled until 1963 when he left to establish a Department of Psychology at the University of Waterloo.

Walters was a remarkable man in many respects. He was extra- ordinarily productive, making outstanding contributions in a number of different areas of psychology. He became well known early in his profes- sional career for his illuminating studies of the relation between social motivation and social influence. Later, he conducted significant investiga- tions of the role of reinforcement and modeling processes in the development of aggression. These ingenious studies provided the groundwork for a social-learning theory of aggression. In this period, Walters played a prominent role in the Society for Research in Child Development. He served

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CHILD DEVELOPMENT

on the editorial board of Child Development as a consulting editor from 1961 to 1963 and as an associate editor for the 1964 volume. Being a person of critical intellect who was a keen debater and who staunchly supported his point of view, he often stimulated lively discussions of basic theoretical issues at the SRCD meetings. In his last years Walters turned his talents to the study of punishment effects as mediated through direct training and modeling influences. At the time of his death, he was addi- tionally planning a program of research on attachment behavior, an area in which he undoubtedly would have made major contributions.

A prolific writer, Walters published approximately 70 articles as well as several theoretical papers in edited volumes. The influence that this work has had on the field is indicated by the innumerable citations to be found in the psychological literature. Walters also co-authored with me two books, Adolescent Aggression, and Social Learning and Personality Develop- ment. I remember especially well our first collaborative endeavor, which Walters conducted for his dissertation as my first doctoral student. His untiring energies and impressive capacity for accomplishment clearly indicated that he was destined for high scientific achievements.

Walters' attainments were by no means confined to research. Within a relatively short period he developed an active Department of Psychology at the newly founded University of Waterloo. Under his able direction, Waterloo boasted a first-rate doctoral program staffed by promising young psychologists with diversified interests. Less well known was Walters' deep interest in students. During his first year at Toronto he served devotedly, and often heroically, as a don in a university residence populated by a large group of spirited undergraduates; and at both Toronto and Waterloo he helped to start many young psychologists on their careers through his encouragement and collaborative research.

Although an indefatigable worker, Walters enjoyed the lighter side of life. He was a gregarious person who would often regale his wide circle of friends with amusing stories and sprightly enactments of past expe- riences. His contagious sense of humor always added zest to any social gathering.

Death came at a time when Walters had reduced his administrative work to devote more time to writing and research. Although he joined our profession late and regrettably his life ended early, he achieved an admirable life's work that will long continue to inspire others. Those of us who knew him personally feel a deep sense of loss in his passing.

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