Draft:Robert B. Edgerton

Robert Edgerton holds the titles of Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at UCLA and Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at UCLA's Geffen School of Medicine, with previous roles including associate directorship at the Mental Retardation Research Center. Robert Edgerton, who served as president of both the Society for Medical Anthropology (1976-77) and the Society for Psychological Anthropology (1985-86), has a distinguished academic career. He held a position as professor-in-residence at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society for Psychological Anthropology in 2007. His scholarly contributions encompass a wide range of topics, including the examination of nineteenth-century imperial conflicts such as the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, as showcased in his notable work "Like Lions They Fought". Edgerton's research interests extend to the cultural dimensions of deviant behavior, psychological anthropology, mental retardation, and African studies. He has explored various facets of community adaptation among individuals with mild mental retardation and has delved into subjects like culture and personality, social order, and cultural relativism. Additionally, Edgerton has investigated the experiences of individuals during warfare, with a focus on African contexts, as well as Japan and the Crimean War. Recent endeavors include documenting the Dahomey women warriors, known as the Amasons, chronicling the valor of African Americans in U.S. conflicts, and examining military dictatorships in Africa.

Robert Edgerton was a prolific author and editor, having contributed to over 30 books, 45 peer-reviewed articles, and numerous chapters, forewords, and reviews. He was admired for his eloquent and humorous writing and speaking style. His scholarly pursuits were dedicated to exploring the intricacies of human nature, particularly within the realms of mental illness and disabilities. He emphasized the importance of understanding these experiences within their cultural and social contexts, from the perspectives of those directly affected. Edgerton's research shed light on the potential for individuals with disabilities to thrive in their communities with appropriate support systems.

His significant works include "The Individual in Cultural Adaptation," which analyzed the interplay between ecology, culture, and beliefs among East African tribes, and "Drunken Comportment" (co-authored with Craig MacAndrew), which examined the diverse responses to alcohol across different cultures. "Sick Societies: Challenging the Myth of Primitive Harmony" debunked the notion of inherent harmony in traditional societies, highlighting conflicts and discontent present in all communities. Other notable publications include "Mental Retardation," a cross-cultural overview of the field, "Deviance: A Cross-Cultural Perspective," and "The Cloak of Competence: Stigma in the Lives of the Mentally Retarded," which followed the struggles and achievements of individuals released from state hospitals in California. "The Cloak of Competence" received the Distinguished Research Award from the American Society for Mental Retardation and remained a successful publication for the University of California Press. A revised edition was published in 1993 and continues to be available.