Edward Kellog Strong, Jr.

Edward Kellog Strong Jr.
Born	August 18, 1884 Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Died	December 4, 1963 Menlo Park, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Alma mater	University of California Columbia University
Occupation	Psychologist, academic, scholar
Title	Dr

Edward Kellog Strong Jr. (August 18, 1884 – December 4, 1963) was an Emeritus Professor of Applied Psychology at Stanford University, who specialized in organizational psychology and career theory and development. Edward Strong's contributions to the field of vocational counseling and research are still evident today. He is most well known for the Strong Interest Inventory, an inventory which matches an individual with a career based on their interests and perceived abilities. He also published several books related to vocational interests and guidance, including Vocational Interests of Men and Women.

Edward Strong was born in August 1884 in Syracuse, New York. He was born into a religious family as his father worked in ministry. He graduated from the University of California with a biology degree in 1906. He briefly worked in the United States Forestry Service (from approximately 1906-1909). His job tasks included constructing bridges and landscaping, which lead to a passion for being outdoors. After his work in forestry, he returned to school to complete a master's degree in psychology in 1909. Strong initially planned to teach in China, but due to difficulties obtaining clearance from the government, he decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Psychology at Columbia University. At Columbia University, he worked with Dr. James McKeen Cattell and assisted in the psychology laboratory of Dr. Harry Levi Hollingworth, where he met his wife, Margaret Hart. Edward Strong focused his doctoral research and dissertation on the benefits of commercial advertising. His research in advertising eventually led to several research publications and a published book, The Psychology of Selling and Advertisement. He completed his Ph.D. program at Columbia University and married his wife in 1911.

Strong started his career by working at an advertising firm where he remained for approximately three years. In 1914, Edward Strong began teaching at George Peabody College for Teachers (now part of Vanderbilt University) where he wrote a psychologist professor’s guide called Introductory Psychology for Teachers. He left his teaching position and joined the Committee on Classification of Personnel in the Army during World War I in 1917. While in the Army, Edward Strong worked in personnel selection and was responsible for matching army service members to positions within the military according to their interests and aptitude. He also used the Army Alpha and Army Beta tests and instructed military personnel in the use of these instruments.

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