Robert Perloff, Ph.D.

“For his continued voice of reason, his championing of client self-determination and client autonomy, and his unwavering support for those who seek psychological care for unwanted homosexual attractions,” Dr. Robert Perloff received the prestigious NARTH President’s Award on November 8, 2008 at the NARTH Convention.

The Former APA President and Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of Business Administration and of Psychology at the University of Pittsburgh delivered an acceptance speech to an enthusiastic, standing room only audience.

Dr. Perloff praised NARTH for its principled stand in supporting the rights of those who seek psychological care for unwanted homosexual attractions and its support for professionals who provide such care.

In voicing his support for NARTH’s emphasis on the client’s right to choose psychological care, he declared that “Freedom of choice is not only a sound behavioral doctrine, but it is also harmonious with the basic tenets of our democratic creed in America, a creed that is congruent with Henry David Thoreau’s counsel that one should march to the beat of one’s own drummer.”

In addition to serving as the President of the American Psychological Association and as President of the American Psychological Foundation, Dr. Perloff presided over eight other national organizations, including the Association for Consumer Research, the American Evaluation Association, the Eastern Psychological Association, and the Society of Psychologists in Management.

Dr. Perloff received the Gold Medal Award for Life Achievement in Psychology in the Public Interest on August 5, 2000. At that time, the American Psychological Association cited Dr. Perloff for his “contributions to and love of psychology…his extensive knowledge, literary skills, keen wit and insistence on social justice…for his indomitable spirit and kindness…”

These contributions weighed heavily in his favor as he was considered for the NARTH honor.