David O. Sears

David O. Sears
Born (1935-06-24) June 24, 1935 (age 89)
NationalityAmerican
CitizenshipUnited States
Alma mater
Known for
Awards
  • APSA Warren E. Miller Prize (2002)
  • ISPP Harold D. Lasswell Award (1995)
  • AAAS Fellow (1991)
Scientific career
Fields
Institutions
Doctoral advisorHoward Leventhal
Other academic advisorsH. Stuart Hughes

David O’Keefe Sears (born June 24, 1935, in Urbana, Illinois) is an American psychologist who specializes in political psychology. He is a distinguished professor of psychology and political science at the University of California, Los Angeles where he has been teaching since 1961. He served as dean of social sciences at UCLA between 1983 and 1992. Best known for his theory of symbolic racism, Sears has published many articles and books about the political and psychological origins of race relations in America, as well as on political socialization and life cycle effects on attitudes, the role of self-interest in attitudes, and multiculturalism. He was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1991.