Peter Gray, Ph.D.,

Ph.D.: The Rockefeller University, 1972.

Contact Information


Research Interests

Evolutionary psychology; the role of play in development; self-directed learning;  biological foundations of education.


Representative Publications

Author of an introductory psychology textbook

Gray, P., Psychology. New York: Worth Publishers. First edition published in 1991; second edition in 1994; third edition, 1999.
 

Articles on the teaching of psychology

Gray, P. (2000).  Incorporating evolutionary theory into the teaching of psychology.  In M. R. Hebel, C. L. Brewer, L. T. Benjamin (Eds.) Handbook for teaching introductory psychology, Vol.II. Mahway, NJ:  Erlbaum. 2000. (Reprinted from Teaching of Psychology, 23, 207-214.)

Gray, P.  (1999), Using evolution by natural selection as an integrative theme in psychology courses.  In Perlman, B., McCann, L.I. & McFadden, S.H. (Eds.) Lessons learned:  Practical advice for the teaching of psychology.  Washington, DC:  The American Psychological Society.  (Reprinted from APS Observer, May/June, 1996 pp. 26-27 & 37.)

Gray, P. (In Press, 1997) Teaching is a scholarly activity.  pp. 49-64 in R. J. Sternberg (Ed.),. Teaching introductory psychology: theory and practice. Washington, DC: APA Press.

Gray, P. (1993). Engaging students' intellects: The immersion approach to critical thinking in psychology instruction. Teaching of Psychology, 20, 68-74.
 

Articles on self-directed learning, play, and human development

Feldman, J., & Gray, P. (1999). Some educational benefits of freely chosen age mixing among children and adolescents.  Phi Delta Kappan, 80, 507-512.

Gray, P., & Feldman, J. (1997). Patterns of age mixing and gender mixing among children and adolescents at an ungraded democratic school. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 43, 67-86.

Gray, P. (1993). The freedom to learn. The Washington Post Education Review, Oct. 31, pp. 25-26.

Gray, P., & Chanoff, D. (1986). Democratic schooling: What happens to young people who have charge of their own education? American Journal of Education, 94, 182-213.

 Gray, P. (1986). Sudbury Valley students thrive in a setting founded on democratic principles. Changing Schools, 13, Issue 2, 3-5.

Gray, P., & Chanoff, D. (1984). When play is learning: A school designed for self-directed education. Phi Delta Kappan, 65, 608-611.


Contact Information

Professor Peter Gray
Department of Psychology
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3807.

tel: (617) 552-4188
fax: (617) 552-0523
email: grayp@bc.edu