Sidney Marshall Jourard (1926–1974) was a Canadian psychologist

Psychologist

Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...

 remembered most for his book on the psychology of self-disclosure

Self-disclosure

Self-disclosure is both the conscious and subconscious act of revealing more about oneself to others. This may include, but is not limited to, thoughts, feelings, aspirations, goals, failures, successes, fears, dreams as well as one's likes, dislikes, and favorites.Typically, a self-disclosure...

The Transparent Self.

Jourard wrote the book, "Healthy Personality: An Approach From the Viewpoint of Humanistic Psychology" which was a synthesis of the concepts and techniques that humanistic psychologists utilized and built upon in the 60's and 70's. Jourard had also expanded on his "Self-Disclosure Theory".

Biographic Timeline

Sidney Marshall Jourard was born in Mt. Dennis, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto, the son of Albert Louis Jourard and Anna Rubinoff Jourard, both Russian immigrants. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1947 and received his Masters degree in 1949. He began teaching at the University of Buffalo (now SUNY/Buffalo) where he received his PhD in Psychology. Jourard moved to Atlanta, Georgia and taught at Emory University, then moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he taught at the University of Alabama. In 1958 he was invited to work with the J. Hillis Miller Health Center at the University of Florida in Gainesville, working with the School of Nursing. He joined the Psychology Department in 1959 where he lectured and had a private practice up until his death December 2, 1974 in a freak automobile accident.

Self Disclosure Theory

The "Self-Disclosure Theory" summarized is a therapeutic model of humanistic treatment where total disclosure was encouraged between the client and the therapist. The therapist would also disclose himself to the client to reciprocate, however the therapist being a psychologist would rely on training and the concepts of psychological theories to relate to the client. According to Jourard, disclosure was important in any relationship as it fostered openness, healthy relationships, and an enthusiasm to grow within the personal and social sphere.

Jourard has also written many works including essays, books, and lectures on growth as a human being. His career has been documented on the website http://www.sidneyjourard.com/