J. McConnell; Wrote Widely Used Textbook

James McConnell, a retired psychology professor at the University of Michigan who wrote a widely used textbook, has died of a heart attack. He was 64.

McConnell died Monday at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor.

McConnell, who studied autistic children, subliminal stimulation and the psychology of persuasion, wrote at least eight books and numerous articles for journals.

His introductory psychology text, “Understanding Human Behavior,” was used by more than a generation of college students in the United States.

In 1959, McConnell founded Worm Runners Digest, a satirical publication that poked fun at his colleagues.

McConnell was born in Okmulgee, Okla., and earned a bachelor’s degree from LSU and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas. He joined Michigan’s faculty in 1956 as an instructor and became a professor in 1963. He retired in 1988.