Farley was born in Edmonton, Alberta.[3] He says that when he was eight years old, he tried to assist an elderly neighbor who was having a heart attack. Some of his friends froze in the moment. The man died, but the experience later sparked a scientific interest in the psychology of heroic actions.[4] He earned an undergraduate degree and a master's degree from theUniversity of Saskatchewan and a PhD from theUniversity of London.[5] Between 1966 and 1995, Farley taught at theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madison.[5] He is theLaura H. Carnell Professor of Educational Psychology atTemple University.[6]
Farley was the president of the AERA in 1980–1981.[7] He was on the board of directors for theInternational Society for the Study of Individual Differences (ISSID) between 1983 and 1991.[8] He served as APA president in 1993.[9] For the period of 2014–2016, Farley represents Division 32 (Society for Humanistic Psychology) on the APA Council of Representatives.[10] He was elected president of the Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict and Violence for a term beginning in August 2015.[11] A founding officer of theFederation of Associations in Behavioral and Brain Sciences, he has held several positions on the board of that organization.[12]
Farley formulated the concept of the Type T (thrill-seeking) personality.[13] He theorizes that Type T personalities require an increased level of stimulation to maintain their energy levels.[14] In a 2011Los Angeles Times opinion piece, Farley discussed infidelity among politicians, pointing out that the risk-taking behaviors that led to political success might also predispose to acts of sexual indiscretion.[15] Farley writes a blog, "The People's Professor", forPsychology Today.[16]
After the release of the fifth edition of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) in 2013, Farley characterized the system of psychiatric diagnosis as "beyond fixing" and said that it was "time to rethink the whole concept."[17] He has specifically criticized the inclusion ofsomatic symptom disorder, saying, "Yes, the mind and body are intimately connected. But let's not create mental illnesses where hyper concern over serious physical health status is all that is going on."[3]
On May 4, 2017,The Globe and Mail published anop-ed by Farley, apsychologist andL.H.Carnell Professor atTemple University, which used Marisa Lazo as an example of an individual with aType T personality.[18] Lazo was anurban explorer, who had recently climbed a twelve-storey construction tower, and then shinnied down the cable to its hook, only to require emergency personnel to rescue her. Farley went on to describe individuals whose thrill-seeking had a negative effect on society, and those whose thrill-seeking had a positive effect.
^Frank Farley (2017-05-04)."Could the Toronto crane-climber use thrill-seeking as a tool for social good?".The Globe and Mail. Retrieved2017-05-02.Why do people climb very high, on dangerous cranes, violating the law, alone and in the dark of the night? Perhaps they have a Type T, or thrill-seeking, risk-taking personality? Such an adventure would certainly be a thrill, and definitely a risk. Marisa Lazo, 23, was rescued April 26 from a stint – or should that be stunt? – on a very tall construction crane in Toronto, in a rescue operation requiring several hours that taxed the skills and risk-taking capacities of her trained rescuers.
