Otto Larsen (sociology)
Encyclopedia
Otto Nyholm Larsen was an American
sociologist at the University of Washington
specializing in social psychology
. He served as Chair of the Department of Sociology and as Director of the Institute for Sociological Research.
. He received his undergraduate education from Grand View College
in Des Moines, Iowa
, and the University of Oregon
, University of Montana, and Denver University. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Washington
, joining the faculty in 1951.
Larsen did extensive research into incidents of mass hysteria, like the 1954 Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic
. This led to his appointment by Lyndon B. Johnson
as Chair of the President's Commission on Obscenity and Pornography. On May 13, 1970, Larsen became one of the first people who have been pied as a form of political protest. Thomas Forcade hit Larsen with a cottage cheese pie during the commission's public hearings. The Commission ultimately recommended sex education
and found that obscenity
and pornography
were not important social problems, that there was no evidence that exposure to such material was harmful to individuals, and that current legal and policy initiatives were more likely to create problems than solve them. Johnson's successor Richard Nixon
and the Senate rejected the Commission findings.
Upon becoming editor of the Alpha Kappa Deltan sociology journal, Larsen renamed it Sociological Inquiry.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sociologist at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
specializing in social psychology
Social psychology
Social psychology is the scientific study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the actual, imagined, or implied presence of others. By this definition, scientific refers to the empirical method of investigation. The terms thoughts, feelings, and behaviors include all...
. He served as Chair of the Department of Sociology and as Director of the Institute for Sociological Research.
Life and career
Larsen was born in Tyler, MinnesotaTyler, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,218 people, 532 households, and 338 families residing in the city. The population density was 632.8 people per square mile . There were 577 housing units at an average density of 299.8 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 97.78% White, 0.49%...
. He received his undergraduate education from Grand View College
Grand View College
Grand View University is a four-year, liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Founded in 1896, the college is located in Des Moines, Iowa and hosts 2,000 students in 38 undergraduate majors, seven certificate programs, two post-baccalaureate certificates,...
in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
, and the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
, University of Montana, and Denver University. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, joining the faculty in 1951.
Larsen did extensive research into incidents of mass hysteria, like the 1954 Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic
Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic
The Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic is a phenomenon which affected Bellingham, Seattle, USA, and other Washington communities in April, 1954; it is considered an example of a mass delusion. It was characterized by widespread observation of previously unnoticed windshield holes, pits and dings,...
. This led to his appointment by Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
as Chair of the President's Commission on Obscenity and Pornography. On May 13, 1970, Larsen became one of the first people who have been pied as a form of political protest. Thomas Forcade hit Larsen with a cottage cheese pie during the commission's public hearings. The Commission ultimately recommended sex education
Sex education
Sex education refers to formal programs of instruction on a wide range of issues relating to human sexuality, including human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, reproductive health, emotional relations, reproductive rights and responsibilities, abstinence, contraception, and...
and found that obscenity
Obscenity
An obscenity is any statement or act which strongly offends the prevalent morality of the time, is a profanity, or is otherwise taboo, indecent, abhorrent, or disgusting, or is especially inauspicious...
and pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
were not important social problems, that there was no evidence that exposure to such material was harmful to individuals, and that current legal and policy initiatives were more likely to create problems than solve them. Johnson's successor Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
and the Senate rejected the Commission findings.
Upon becoming editor of the Alpha Kappa Deltan sociology journal, Larsen renamed it Sociological Inquiry.
Selected publications
- DeFleur ML, Larsen ON (1958).The flow of information: an experiment in mass communication. reprint Transaction Publishers, ISBN 9780887386756
- Medalia NZ, Larsen ON (1964). Diffusion and belief in a collective delusion: The Seattle windshield pitting epidemic. American Sociological ReviewAmerican Sociological ReviewThe American Sociological Review is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed academic journal covering all aspects of sociology, including new theoretical developments, results of research that advance the understanding of fundamental social processes, and methodological innovations. It is published by SAGE...
, Vol. 23, No. 2 (Apr., 1958), pp. 180-186 - Larsen ON, Hill RJ (1954). Mass media and interpersonal communication in the diffusion of a news event. American Sociological ReviewAmerican Sociological ReviewThe American Sociological Review is a bimonthly, peer-reviewed academic journal covering all aspects of sociology, including new theoretical developments, results of research that advance the understanding of fundamental social processes, and methodological innovations. It is published by SAGE...
Vol. 19, No. 4 (Aug., 1954), pp. 426-433 - Larsen ON (1964). Social effects of mass communication. In Robert E. Lee Faris (ed.) Handbook of modern sociology. Rand McNally ASIN B0006D6FNC