John B. Calhoun, born on November 11, 1917 in Tennessee, was an American ethologist known for his groundbreaking studies on population density. He attended the University of Virginia before furthering his education at Northwestern University where he obtained his M.S. and Ph.D. in 1942 and 1943, respectively.
Calhoun was a pioneer in the field of behavioral science. He coined the term "behavioral sink" to describe the abnormal behaviors exhibited in overcrowded population density situations. His most famous experiment involved studying the effects of overpopulation using mice. Through this study, Calhoun discovered that when all available space is occupied and all social roles are filled, competition and stress among individuals lead to a breakdown in complex social behaviors, ultimately resulting in the demise of the population.
During his time at Northwestern University, Calhoun met his wife, Edith Gressley. The couple shared a passion for research and academia, with Edith often supporting and collaborating with John on his experiments.
Calhoun's work has had a lasting impact on the fields of psychology and sociology. His research on population density has helped shed light on the effects of overcrowding on behavior and social dynamics. In his later years, Calhoun met with Pope John Paul II to discuss the potential side effects of overpopulation, demonstrating the breadth and importance of his work.
John B. Calhoun will always be remembered as a visionary thinker whose contributions have shaped our understanding of human and animal behavior in complex social systems.