Richard E. Mayer is an American educational psychologist who has made significant contributions to theories of cognition and learning, especially as they relate to problem solving and the design of educational multimedia. Mayer's best known contribution to the field of educational psychology is multimedia learning theory, which posits that optimal learning occurs when visual and verbal materials are presented together simultaneously. He has authored 18 books and over 250 articles and chapters. He received a PhD in psychology from the University of Michigan (1973), and served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Psychology at Indiana University from 1973-1975. He has been at the University of California, Santa Barbara since that time, and is now a full professor there.

Mayer is past-President of the Division of Educational Psychology of the American Psychological Association. He is a recipient of the E. L. Thorndike Award for career achievement in educational psychology.

External links

• Richard Mayer bio