Barbara Fredrickson

American psychology professor Barbara FredricksonFredrickson at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 2019Born (1964-06-15) June 15, 1964 (age 62)AwardsSociety of Experimental Social Psychology's Career Trajectory Award 2008 Inaugural Christopher Peterson Gold Medal 2013 Toronto-based TANG Foundation's Prize 2017 Academic backgroundThesisAnticipated endings : an explanation for selective social interaction (1990)Doctoral advisorLaura L. CarstensenAcademic workDisciplinePsychologistSub-disciplineSocial psychologistInstitutionsUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNotable worksResearch in emotions and positive psychologyNotable ideasBroaden-and-build theory of positive emotions Barbara Lee Fredrickson (born June 15, 1964) is an American professor in the department of psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Psychology. She is also the Principal Investigator of the Positive Emotions and Psychophysiology Lab (PEPLab) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Fredrickson is a social psychologist who conducts research in emotions and positive psychology. Her main work is related to her broaden-and-build