Arthur I. Alterman, research psychologist

Arthur I. Alterman, 72, of Broomall, a research psychologist who studied substance abuse, died of cancer on Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Bryn Mawr Hospital.

Dr. Alterman was a research professor of psychology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and a senior scientist at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center-University of Pennsylvania Center for Studies of Addiction.

For 27 years, he studied substance-abuse treatments at the center, using funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

According the center's website, his main interests included the characterization of risk factors for substance abuse; defining antisocial behavior in substance abusers; the relationship of personality disorders to treatment response; and studies of the effectiveness of treatments for cocaine, alcohol, and nicotine dependence. He was the author of about 250 publications.

From 1992 to 2000, Dr. Alterman was scientific director of the Center for Studies of Addiction.

"Noteworthy in all his work was the rigor with which it was conducted and the precision in how it was presented," former colleague John Cacciola wrote in a tribute.

"He mentored numerous, now nationally and internationally recognized scientists, and his research itself opened new avenues that countless others have pursued. Personally, he made all of those with whom he collaborated feel appreciated, and, professionally, he made their work better," Cacciola said.

Dr. Alterman, whose parents were Ukrainian immigrants, grew up in South Philadelphia. He graduated from South Philadelphia High School in 1956. The next year, he married his high school sweetheart, Joan Alosi.

He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from Temple University; a master's in psychology from Brown University; and a doctorate in experimental psychology from George Washington University in 1970. His doctoral thesis on American Sign Language was one of the earliest formal studies on the subject, his wife said.

From 1970 to 1980, Dr. Alterman was director of alcoholism research at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center, affiliated with Thomas Jefferson University. From 1981 to 1984, he held the same position at the Highland Drive Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Pittsburgh.

Dr. Alterman had a passion for classical music, history, and reading, and he constantly strove to better himself and others, his wife said.

He is survived by his wife and a son, David.

The funeral will be at noon Sunday, Oct. 9, at Joseph Levine & Sons Memorial Chapel, 2811 West Chester Pike, Broomall.

Donations may be made to Jewish Family and Children's Service of Greater Philadelphia, 2100 Arch St., Fifth Floor, Philadelphia 19103.