Dr. Dacher Keltner

Biography

Dacher Keltner is a distinguished professor at the University of California, Berkeley, in the Department of Psychology and co-director of the Greater Good Science Center. His research interests lie in social and personality psychology, focusing on the roles of emotion in social interactions and individual differences. He explores topics such as negotiation, culture, and the social functions of emotions, arguing that emotions enable individuals to respond adaptively to social challenges and opportunities. Keltner's work examines how power dynamics and social perceptions influence emotional expression and interpersonal behavior. He investigates the psychological underpinnings of moral negotiations and how emotions like anger, sadness, and fear shape moral judgments. His studies also address how social practices, such as teasing and gossip, function in relationship development and conflict resolution. Keltner has contributed significantly to the understanding of emotional expressions and their impact on social relationships and has published numerous influential papers in leading psychology journals.

Research Interests