Intelligence and Experience, written in 1961, was one of the most influential volumes on child development. It emphasized the shift that was happening among American psychologists regarding intelligence and what determines intelligence. Hunt claimed that experience played a much larger role in determining intelligence in adulthood. Other notable contributions Joseph McVicker Hunt was elected and served as the American Psychological Association president from 1951-1952. He was also the editor of the Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology from 1949-1955, was a member of the APA council of representatives and the president of the APA’s Division of Clinical Psychology from 1967-1970. He also helped establish the American Psychological Foundation. Additionally, Hunt laid the groundwork for the Head Start Program in the early 1960s. He did this by emphasizing the importance of early education and developed psychometric methods that assessed cognitive developments in young children. Hunt also served as the leader of the White House Task Force on Early Childhood Development under President Lyndon B. Johnson, which is known for their report entitled “A Bill of Rights for Children.” Awards and honors Hunt received a number of awards, including the Award for Excellence in Research from the American Personal and Guidance Association and the Research Career Award from the National Institute of Mental Health. Hunt held a National Institute of Mental Health Research Career Award from 1962-1974, was awarded the Gold Medal of the American Psychological Association in 1970, received the Distinguished Contribution Award of APA developmental psychology division and the G. Stanley Hall Award from the clinical psychology division. Personal life Hunt married Esther Dahms on December 5, 1929, and was married to her until her death in 1989. Hunt died on January 9, 1991, at home in Urbana, Illinois. He is survived by his two daughters Carol Epple and Judith Ann Hunt. Legacy Hunt retired from the University of Illinois in 1974. However, he remained an active researcher. His most important contributions were those in developmental psychology. Through his research, Hunt was able to emphasize the malleable nature of a child and the role of experience in molding a person. Hunt published over 100 research and theoretical papers, and was editor of the Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology from 1950 and 1955. He was also an editor and contributor for Personality and the Behavior Disorders. References External links Joseph McVicker Hunt: 1906-1991 1906 births 1991 deaths Educational psychologists American