Donelson R. Forsyth, PhD, completed his undergraduate work at Florida State University in 1974, in sociology and psychology with a minor in education. He completed his doctorate at the University of Florida in 1978.

He has taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Richmond.

Dr. Forsyth holds the Colonel Leo K. and Gaylee Thorsness Chair in Ethical Leadership in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond. He has taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Richmond.

A social and personality psychologist, Dr. Forsyth studies groups, leadership, ethical thought, and educational outcomes. In addition to his general interest in group processes and personality, he explores empirically the psychological and interpersonal consequences of success and failure at the group and individual level, individual differences in ethical ideology, and Read More chevron_right

Donelson R. Forsyth, PhD, completed his undergraduate work at Florida State University in 1974, in sociology and psychology with a minor in education. He completed his doctorate at the University of Florida in 1978.

He has taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Richmond.

Dr. Forsyth holds the Colonel Leo K. and Gaylee Thorsness Chair in Ethical Leadership in the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond. He has taught at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Richmond.

A social and personality psychologist, Dr. Forsyth studies groups, leadership, ethical thought, and educational outcomes. In addition to his general interest in group processes and personality, he explores empirically the psychological and interpersonal consequences of success and failure at the group and individual level, individual differences in ethical ideology, and perceptions of leaders.

He has authored more than 140 chapters and articles on ethics, groups, and related topics, and his books include Group Dynamics (1983, 1990, 1999, 2006, 2010, 2014); Social Psychology (1987); Psychotherapy and Behavior Change: Social, Cultural, and Methodological Perspectives (1988, with H. Nick Higgenbotham and Stephen G. West); Our Social World (1995); and The Professor's Guide to Teaching (2003).

Dr. Forsyth also has edited, with C. R. Snyder, the Handbook of Social and Clinical Psychology: The Health Perspective (1991); The Social Psychology of Leadership (with Crystal Hoyt and George Goethals, 2008); and For the Greater Good of All: Perspectives on Individualism, Society, and Leadership (with Crystal Hoyt, 2011).

Dr. Forsyth has taught thousands of graduate and undergraduate students during his 38 years as a professor in such courses as introductory psychology, educational psychology, environmental psychology, social psychology, group dynamics, research methods, internships, theories and models of leadership, and ethics.

He was recognized as the Outstanding Group Psychologist by the Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy in 1996. He received the State of Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award in 2002 and the Distinguished Educator Award from the University of Richmond in 2010. He is a fellow of APA.