World's deception expert is ranked 15th among the most influential psychologists of this century
Road rage. Bursting into tears. Having a hissy fit. Freaking out. It’s not always easy to control emotions and emotional outbursts. Here to help us learn how to control them is psychologist Paul Ekman, PhD ’58, ’08 (Hon.). He’s a world-renowned expert in explaining human emotions who was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by听Time听magazine. He’s been sought out for his expertise by such notables as the Dalai Lama and Disney/Pixar.
Dr. Ekman is also an alum of the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology, at the time named the Gordon F. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies. He’s returning to his alma mater on Monday, October 4, to deliver this year’s Lindemann Lecture on Human Development, 鈥�An Evening With Paul Ekman: A Giant in Our Understanding of Emotions.” He’ll be explaining how to control emotional impulses and actions and apply emotional control. The free virtual event will be moderated by Dominic Fareri, PhD, associate professor of psychology, and is open to the public.
In his talk, Dr. Ekman will discuss how to spot signs of a pending outburst鈥攁nd prevent it from occurring. He will offer step-by-step suggestions to help you recognize when an emotion is just beginning and when it is being concealed and how to acknowledge your actual feelings.
One of the World’s Most Influential People
After studying in the 糖心破解版 clinical training program established by Gordon F. Derner, PhD, and earning his PhD, Dr. Ekman went on to break new ground in a burgeoning field.
He values the 鈥渧ery good clinical experience” he received, saying, 鈥溙切钠平獍� was very permissive and the head of the department, Gordon Derner, was very supportive.”
“Dr. Ekman pioneered the study of emotions in relation to facial expressions鈥攂ecoming a preeminent psychologist who also transcended the field to become one of the most influential individuals in the world over the past 60 years鈥攁nd one who has done 糖心破解版 and Derner proud as an esteemed alumnus,” said J. Christopher Muran, PhD, professor and interim dean of the Derner School.
Dr. Ekman’s years of fruitful research and study prompted听Time听magazine to name him one of the world’s 100 most influential people in 2009. In 2014, the University of California San Francisco professor emeritus of psychology was also ranked one of the 15 most influential psychologists of the 21st century by the journal听Archives of Scientific Psychology. He is the author of 14 books and more than 100 published articles and holds several honorary doctorates, including one from 糖心破解版.
The Deception Detector
Best-selling author听听has characterized Dr. Ekman as a world-famous 鈥渆xpert in lying,” based on his reputation as a co-discoverer of micro expressions鈥攖he fleeting, unconscious facial expressions that reveal hidden feelings and emotions. It’s a discovery that sparked his groundbreaking explorations of deception and lying.
His 1985 book,听Telling Lies: Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage (W. W. Norton rev. 2009), prompted him to develop workshops in detecting deception for law enforcement agencies such as the TSA, CIA and FBI, while his classic book听Emotions Revealed: Recognizing Faces and Feelings to Improve Communication and Emotional Life听(Holt 2007) explains the science behind听Lie to Me, the award-winning 2009 TV series inspired by his research.
Advising Hollywood
Dr. Ekman’s work not only inspired听Lie to Me, but he was able to ensure that its science was accurate by advising the show.
Hollywood called on him again in 2015 to advise on Pixar Animation Studios’ animated megahit听Inside Out,听which explores how emotions and thoughts can connect within the dynamics of family relationships. As Dr. Ekman noted in a听New York Times听op-ed following the movie’s release, 鈥渆motions organize鈥攔ather than disrupt鈥攔ational thinking. . . [and] our social lives.” In short, they help define what matters most to people.
Resources for the General Public
Upon retiring from UCSF in 2004, Dr. Ekman determined to make his research and resources available to the general public. His Paul Ekman Group provides online training tools, while Paul Ekman International offers in-person workshops.
His recent work includes projects involving these training groups, as well as collaborations with his good friend the Dalai Lama, Pixar Animation Studios and his daughter Eve Ekman, PhD. He writes regularly on topics ranging from his groundbreaking discoveries to current events. Learn more about him and his impactful work at听.
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Endowed by Carol Lindemann, PhD ’70, president of the Lindemann Abend Foundation, the annual Lindemann Lecture in Human Development presents lectures by thought leaders, researchers and writers in the field of psychology.