diff --git a/activerecord/CHANGELOG b/activerecord/CHANGELOG
index 6be46349fb0de7cb03fb95c6fc06c79e415f1227..3b6a7d72087e2d4939ebb9ec60dc3bceaf0ca299 100644
--- a/activerecord/CHANGELOG
+++ b/activerecord/CHANGELOG
@@ -1,5 +1,14 @@
 *Rails 3.1.0 (unreleased)*
 
+* Added an update_column method on ActiveRecord. This new method updates a given attribute on an object, skipping validations and callbacks.
+  It is recommended to use #update_attribute unless you are sure you do not want to execute any callback, including the modification of
+  the updated_at column. It should not be called on new records.
+  Example:
+
+    User.first.update_column(:name, "sebastian")         # => true
+
+  [Sebastian Martinez]
+
 * Associations with a :through option can now use *any* association as the
   through or source association, including other associations which have a
   :through option and has_and_belongs_to_many associations
diff --git a/activerecord/lib/active_record/attribute_methods/write.rb b/activerecord/lib/active_record/attribute_methods/write.rb
index 3c4dab304e4235837a17b477b972321369cdb033..7661676f8c6aabfd93583833a45f69f8507dc05f 100644
--- a/activerecord/lib/active_record/attribute_methods/write.rb
+++ b/activerecord/lib/active_record/attribute_methods/write.rb
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ def write_attribute(attr_name, value)
           @attributes[attr_name] = value
         end
       end
+      alias_method :raw_write_attribute, :write_attribute
 
       private
         # Handle *= for method_missing.
diff --git a/activerecord/lib/active_record/persistence.rb b/activerecord/lib/active_record/persistence.rb
index 17a64b6e8638d7ff25ca572b49b4cc89b29e4a8c..a916c883489861211a1c3d9b7c389ec114f45cc2 100644
--- a/activerecord/lib/active_record/persistence.rb
+++ b/activerecord/lib/active_record/persistence.rb
@@ -119,6 +119,20 @@ def update_attribute(name, value)
       save(:validate => false)
     end
 
+    # Updates a single attribute of an object, without calling save.
+    #
+    # * Validation is skipped.
+    # * Callbacks are skipped.
+    # * updated_at/updated_on column is not updated if that column is available.
+    #
+    def update_column(name, value)
+      name = name.to_s
+      raise ActiveRecordError, "#{name} is marked as readonly" if self.class.readonly_attributes.include?(name)
+      raise ActiveRecordError, "can not update on a new record object" unless persisted?
+      raw_write_attribute(name, value)
+      self.class.update_all({ name => value }, self.class.primary_key => id) == 1
+    end
+
     # Updates the attributes of the model from the passed-in hash and saves the
     # record, all wrapped in a transaction. If the object is invalid, the saving
     # will fail and false will be returned.
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_and_belongs_to_many_associations_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_and_belongs_to_many_associations_test.rb
index 73d02c9676bbdfd7d2aab19e4092c6d54dbd0884..f4d14853d3dfe387b46c5ec685fad76fc1790c5b 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_and_belongs_to_many_associations_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_and_belongs_to_many_associations_test.rb
@@ -604,7 +604,7 @@ def test_update_attributes_after_push_without_duplicate_join_table_rows
     project = SpecialProject.create("name" => "Special Project")
     assert developer.save
     developer.projects << project
-    developer.update_attribute("name", "Bruza")
+    developer.update_column("name", "Bruza")
     assert_equal 1, Developer.connection.select_value(<<-end_sql).to_i
       SELECT count(*) FROM developers_projects
       WHERE project_id = #{project.id}
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_many_associations_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_many_associations_test.rb
index ad774eb9cea5100f08de39552a3237fa0ee5d085..16d4877fe803196d3001937a577e98ef4088cecd 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_many_associations_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_many_associations_test.rb
@@ -639,7 +639,7 @@ def test_deleting_updates_counter_cache_without_dependent_option
 
   def test_deleting_updates_counter_cache_with_dependent_delete_all
     post = posts(:welcome)
-    post.update_attribute(:taggings_with_delete_all_count, post.taggings_count)
+    post.update_column(:taggings_with_delete_all_count, post.taggings_count)
 
     assert_difference "post.reload.taggings_with_delete_all_count", -1 do
       post.taggings_with_delete_all.delete(post.taggings_with_delete_all.first)
@@ -648,7 +648,7 @@ def test_deleting_updates_counter_cache_with_dependent_delete_all
 
   def test_deleting_updates_counter_cache_with_dependent_destroy
     post = posts(:welcome)
-    post.update_attribute(:taggings_with_destroy_count, post.taggings_count)
+    post.update_column(:taggings_with_destroy_count, post.taggings_count)
 
     assert_difference "post.reload.taggings_with_destroy_count", -1 do
       post.taggings_with_destroy.delete(post.taggings_with_destroy.first)
@@ -787,7 +787,7 @@ def test_delete_all_association_with_primary_key_deletes_correct_records
     firm = Firm.find(:first)
     # break the vanilla firm_id foreign key
     assert_equal 2, firm.clients.count
-    firm.clients.first.update_attribute(:firm_id, nil)
+    firm.clients.first.update_column(:firm_id, nil)
     assert_equal 1, firm.clients(true).count
     assert_equal 1, firm.clients_using_primary_key_with_delete_all.count
     old_record = firm.clients_using_primary_key_with_delete_all.first
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_many_through_associations_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_many_through_associations_test.rb
index 9adaebe9243e4faf1cf1a7f5afc7b639b1ede850..1efe3420a0c33257191125dbec347ef0c29e3aa4 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_many_through_associations_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_many_through_associations_test.rb
@@ -286,7 +286,7 @@ def test_update_counter_caches_on_delete
   def test_update_counter_caches_on_delete_with_dependent_destroy
     post = posts(:welcome)
     tag  = post.tags.create!(:name => 'doomed')
-    post.update_attribute(:tags_with_destroy_count, post.tags.count)
+    post.update_column(:tags_with_destroy_count, post.tags.count)
 
     assert_difference ['post.reload.taggings_count', 'post.reload.tags_with_destroy_count'], -1 do
       posts(:welcome).tags_with_destroy.delete(tag)
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ def test_update_counter_caches_on_delete_with_dependent_destroy
   def test_update_counter_caches_on_delete_with_dependent_nullify
     post = posts(:welcome)
     tag  = post.tags.create!(:name => 'doomed')
-    post.update_attribute(:tags_with_nullify_count, post.tags.count)
+    post.update_column(:tags_with_nullify_count, post.tags.count)
 
     assert_no_difference 'post.reload.taggings_count' do
       assert_difference 'post.reload.tags_with_nullify_count', -1 do
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_one_through_associations_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_one_through_associations_test.rb
index 9ba5549277257d3794e0c15d34c26d3f27cbda99..968025ade86f3ca62a2fb10fa456d0c46f111305 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_one_through_associations_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/has_one_through_associations_test.rb
@@ -90,12 +90,12 @@ def test_has_one_through_eager_loading_through_polymorphic
   def test_has_one_through_with_conditions_eager_loading
     # conditions on the through table
     assert_equal clubs(:moustache_club), Member.find(@member.id, :include => :favourite_club).favourite_club
-    memberships(:membership_of_favourite_club).update_attribute(:favourite, false)
+    memberships(:membership_of_favourite_club).update_column(:favourite, false)
     assert_equal nil,                    Member.find(@member.id, :include => :favourite_club).reload.favourite_club
 
     # conditions on the source table
     assert_equal clubs(:moustache_club), Member.find(@member.id, :include => :hairy_club).hairy_club
-    clubs(:moustache_club).update_attribute(:name, "Association of Clean-Shaven Persons")
+    clubs(:moustache_club).update_column(:name, "Association of Clean-Shaven Persons")
     assert_equal nil,                    Member.find(@member.id, :include => :hairy_club).reload.hairy_club
   end
 
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/join_model_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/join_model_test.rb
index 1f95b314973ccce1c53d21d211850085cf81eac0..5a7b13903031b28ea9274713307e07c5cd569b5f 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/associations/join_model_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/associations/join_model_test.rb
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ def test_create_polymorphic_has_one_with_scope
 
   def test_delete_polymorphic_has_many_with_delete_all
     assert_equal 1, posts(:welcome).taggings.count
-    posts(:welcome).taggings.first.update_attribute :taggable_type, 'PostWithHasManyDeleteAll'
+    posts(:welcome).taggings.first.update_column :taggable_type, 'PostWithHasManyDeleteAll'
     post = find_post_with_dependency(1, :has_many, :taggings, :delete_all)
 
     old_count = Tagging.count
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ def test_delete_polymorphic_has_many_with_delete_all
 
   def test_delete_polymorphic_has_many_with_destroy
     assert_equal 1, posts(:welcome).taggings.count
-    posts(:welcome).taggings.first.update_attribute :taggable_type, 'PostWithHasManyDestroy'
+    posts(:welcome).taggings.first.update_column :taggable_type, 'PostWithHasManyDestroy'
     post = find_post_with_dependency(1, :has_many, :taggings, :destroy)
 
     old_count = Tagging.count
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ def test_delete_polymorphic_has_many_with_destroy
 
   def test_delete_polymorphic_has_many_with_nullify
     assert_equal 1, posts(:welcome).taggings.count
-    posts(:welcome).taggings.first.update_attribute :taggable_type, 'PostWithHasManyNullify'
+    posts(:welcome).taggings.first.update_column :taggable_type, 'PostWithHasManyNullify'
     post = find_post_with_dependency(1, :has_many, :taggings, :nullify)
 
     old_count = Tagging.count
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ def test_delete_polymorphic_has_many_with_nullify
 
   def test_delete_polymorphic_has_one_with_destroy
     assert posts(:welcome).tagging
-    posts(:welcome).tagging.update_attribute :taggable_type, 'PostWithHasOneDestroy'
+    posts(:welcome).tagging.update_column :taggable_type, 'PostWithHasOneDestroy'
     post = find_post_with_dependency(1, :has_one, :tagging, :destroy)
 
     old_count = Tagging.count
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ def test_delete_polymorphic_has_one_with_destroy
 
   def test_delete_polymorphic_has_one_with_nullify
     assert posts(:welcome).tagging
-    posts(:welcome).tagging.update_attribute :taggable_type, 'PostWithHasOneNullify'
+    posts(:welcome).tagging.update_column :taggable_type, 'PostWithHasOneNullify'
     post = find_post_with_dependency(1, :has_one, :tagging, :nullify)
 
     old_count = Tagging.count
@@ -707,7 +707,7 @@ def test_has_many_through_goes_through_all_sti_classes
     # create dynamic Post models to allow different dependency options
     def find_post_with_dependency(post_id, association, association_name, dependency)
       class_name = "PostWith#{association.to_s.classify}#{dependency.to_s.classify}"
-      Post.find(post_id).update_attribute :type, class_name
+      Post.find(post_id).update_column :type, class_name
       klass = Object.const_set(class_name, Class.new(ActiveRecord::Base))
       klass.set_table_name 'posts'
       klass.send(association, association_name, :as => :taggable, :dependent => dependency)
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/associations_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/associations_test.rb
index 47b8e485829777c9164536631f1368be7d3004b7..04f628a398dd6047b4f856c596398a305d58b828 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/associations_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/associations_test.rb
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ def test_loading_the_association_target_should_load_most_recent_attributes_for_c
     ship = Ship.create!(:name => "The good ship Dollypop")
     part = ship.parts.create!(:name => "Mast")
     part.mark_for_destruction
-    ShipPart.find(part.id).update_attribute(:name, 'Deck')
+    ShipPart.find(part.id).update_column(:name, 'Deck')
     ship.parts.send(:load_target)
     assert_equal 'Deck', ship.parts[0].name
   end
@@ -170,7 +170,7 @@ def test_save_on_parent_does_not_load_target
     david = developers(:david)
 
     assert !david.projects.loaded?
-    david.update_attribute(:created_at, Time.now)
+    david.update_column(:created_at, Time.now)
     assert !david.projects.loaded?
   end
 
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/base_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/base_test.rb
index fba7af741d92324a33f4a96b1e997b6b9e991b1e..aeb0b28bab6db002642a0a981c8750819f4fff4f 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/base_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/base_test.rb
@@ -484,7 +484,7 @@ def test_non_valid_identifier_column_name
     weird.reload
     assert_equal 'value', weird.send('a$b')
 
-    weird.update_attribute('a$b', 'value2')
+    weird.update_column('a$b', 'value2')
     weird.reload
     assert_equal 'value2', weird.send('a$b')
   end
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/calculations_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/calculations_test.rb
index caf07a73572515dc840d213e3944d4640e8ad8db..c97f1ae634d103a023f530c68d98d145d4168a65 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/calculations_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/calculations_test.rb
@@ -311,8 +311,8 @@ def test_should_count_scoped_select
 
   def test_should_count_scoped_select_with_options
     Account.update_all("credit_limit = NULL")
-    Account.last.update_attribute('credit_limit', 49)
-    Account.first.update_attribute('credit_limit', 51)
+    Account.last.update_column('credit_limit', 49)
+    Account.first.update_column('credit_limit', 51)
 
     assert_equal 1, Account.scoped(:select => "credit_limit").count(:conditions => ['credit_limit >= 50'])
   end
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/dirty_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/dirty_test.rb
index a6738fb654d30d99d165b99294ca51d55b866731..b1ce8462188790454e09739648994fdb9c021f1c 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/dirty_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/dirty_test.rb
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ def test_save_should_not_save_serialized_attribute_with_partial_updates_if_not_p
     with_partial_updates(Topic) do
       Topic.create!(:author_name => 'Bill', :content => {:a => "a"})
       topic = Topic.select('id, author_name').first
-      topic.update_attribute :author_name, 'John'
+      topic.update_column :author_name, 'John'
       topic = Topic.first
       assert_not_nil topic.content
     end
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/persistence_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/persistence_test.rb
index 8ca9d626d1c6bf99794aa815cb65e4a49b34937f..8e6141eb812a10d5dab5e1371497448cefefe8c0 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/persistence_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/persistence_test.rb
@@ -389,6 +389,92 @@ def test_update_attribute_for_updated_at_on
     assert_not_equal prev_month, developer.updated_at
   end
 
+  def test_update_column
+    topic = Topic.find(1)
+    topic.update_column("approved", true)
+    assert topic.approved?
+    topic.reload
+    assert topic.approved?
+
+    topic.update_column(:approved, false)
+    assert !topic.approved?
+    topic.reload
+    assert !topic.approved?
+  end
+
+  def test_update_column_should_not_use_setter_method
+    dev = Developer.find(1)
+    dev.instance_eval { def salary=(value); write_attribute(:salary, value * 2); end }
+
+    dev.update_column(:salary, 80000)
+    assert_equal 80000, dev.salary
+
+    dev.reload
+    assert_equal 80000, dev.salary
+  end
+
+  def test_update_column_should_raise_exception_if_new_record
+    topic = Topic.new
+    assert_raises(ActiveRecord::ActiveRecordError) { topic.update_column("approved", false) }
+  end
+
+  def test_update_column_should_not_leave_the_object_dirty
+    topic = Topic.find(1)
+    topic.update_attribute("content", "Have a nice day")
+
+    topic.reload
+    topic.update_column(:content, "You too")
+    assert_equal [], topic.changed
+
+    topic.reload
+    topic.update_column("content", "Have a nice day")
+    assert_equal [], topic.changed
+  end
+
+  def test_update_column_with_model_having_primary_key_other_than_id
+    minivan = Minivan.find('m1')
+    new_name = 'sebavan'
+
+    minivan.update_column(:name, new_name)
+    assert_equal new_name, minivan.name
+  end
+
+  def test_update_column_for_readonly_attribute
+    minivan = Minivan.find('m1')
+    prev_color = minivan.color
+    assert_raises(ActiveRecord::ActiveRecordError) { minivan.update_column(:color, 'black') }
+    assert_equal prev_color, minivan.color
+  end
+
+  def test_update_column_should_not_modify_updated_at
+    developer = Developer.find(1)
+    prev_month = Time.now.prev_month
+
+    developer.update_column(:updated_at, prev_month)
+    assert_equal prev_month, developer.updated_at
+
+    developer.update_column(:salary, 80001)
+    assert_equal prev_month, developer.updated_at
+
+    developer.reload
+    assert_equal prev_month, developer.updated_at
+  end
+
+  def test_update_column_with_one_changed_and_one_updated
+    t = Topic.order('id').limit(1).first
+    title, author_name = t.title, t.author_name
+    t.author_name = 'John'
+    t.update_column(:title, 'super_title')
+    assert_equal 'John', t.author_name
+    assert_equal 'super_title', t.title
+    assert t.changed?, "topic should have changed"
+    assert t.author_name_changed?, "author_name should have changed"
+
+    t.reload
+    assert_equal author_name, t.author_name
+    assert_equal 'super_title', t.title
+  end
+
   def test_update_attributes
     topic = Topic.find(1)
     assert !topic.approved?
diff --git a/activerecord/test/cases/timestamp_test.rb b/activerecord/test/cases/timestamp_test.rb
index 1c21f0f3b661059dbe36844ff739a51de40068b4..ceb1452afd66ef30a04b0addfff8eecc59cd6765 100644
--- a/activerecord/test/cases/timestamp_test.rb
+++ b/activerecord/test/cases/timestamp_test.rb
@@ -131,8 +131,9 @@ def test_touching_a_record_touches_parent_record_and_grandparent_record
     toy = Toy.first
     pet = toy.pet
     owner = pet.owner
+    time = 3.days.ago
 
-    owner.update_attribute(:updated_at, (time = 3.days.ago))
+    owner.update_column(:updated_at, time)
     toy.touch
     owner.reload