He is the originator of the consistent histories approach to quantum mechanics, which has since been developed by himself, Roland Omnès, Murray Gell-Mann, and James Hartle.
Griffiths attended Woodstock School, India, from fourth standard to tenth, along with his brothers and sisters.
The 1952 year book remarks that "Robert is famous for his long arguments (and unsurpassed knowledge) in chemistry class, his ability to 'recite' the log tables indelibly written in his brain, and his skill when it comes to fixing anything electrical."
Following his time at Woodstock, Griffiths attended Princeton University where he earned a BA in physics in 1957.
Within his more recent work and research, Griffiths's primary focus has been in the field of quantum mechanics.