Dr. Dacher Keltner

Biography

Dacher Keltner is a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of Psychology. He co-directs the Greater Good Science Center and has a primary research focus on Social-Personality Psychology, with secondary interests in Developmental Emotion and Social Interaction. His work has shifted the lens on emotions to encompass their social functions. Keltner's research has extensively documented the roles of emotions in social dynamics, suggesting that emotions contribute to human social life by enabling adaptive responses to challenges and opportunities. He has explored how power dynamics influence social perception and behavior, theorizing that higher power can lead to disinhibited and less vigilant social behaviors. His investigations have revealed how personality traits, such as extraversion and neuroticism, relate to social status attainment. Furthermore, his interest in negotiating moral concerns examines how people discuss and resolve moral conflicts, influenced by emotional responses. Keltner has published numerous influential studies on the social functions of emotions, romantic relationships, and the psychology of teasing and gossip, solidifying his stature in the field of psychology.

Research Interests