For a distinguished career of extraordinary range and depth–writing, teaching, and professional activity–that has fundamentally influenced public policy and approaches to the prevention of mental and emotional disorder. He has focused his sharp intellect and boundless energy on critically questioning conventional wisdom. He helped professional psychology achieve independence and then acted as its conscience, often and courageously incurring its wrath (and that of psychiatry) in the process. George Albee has communicated his views clearly, consistently, and convincingly in lectures, articles, and government and professional committees for more than 40 years, particularly his belief that eliminating social evils will be far more effective in increasing the sum of human happiness and decreasing misery than one-to-one therapeutic interventions. A founder of the Vermont Conference on the Primary Prevention of Psychopathology, Albee has been a prime mover of this now internationally influential forum for the latest thinking and research in prevention of mental and emotional disorder. The American Psychological Foundation Gold Medal Award is appropriate recognition of George Albee's contributions to making psychology aware of its commitment to the public good–with a sharp mind, a compassionate heart, humor, and an ability to convey to others (and thus enlist their enthusiastic support) the joy of fighting the good fight.

American Psychologist, July 1993 Vol. 48, No. 7, 717-725