Dr. Paul Ekman is a pioneering psychologist whose revolutionary research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of human emotion and nonverbal communication across cultures. He served for 32 years as Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, where he established himself as a leading authority in emotional expression research. After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Chicago and New York University, Ekman earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Adelphi University in 1958, followed by a clinical internship at the Langley Porter Psychiatric Institute. His early career included service as chief psychologist in the U.S. Army at Fort Dix from 1958-1960 and a three-year postdoctoral research fellowship at UCSF that laid the foundation for his groundbreaking contributions to psychological science.
Dr. Ekman's most significant contribution was his empirical demonstration of universal facial expressions across cultures, culminating in his landmark 1967-1968 research expedition to Papua New Guinea where he studied the isolated Fore people of the South East Highlands. His discovery of micro expressions—fleeting facial movements that reveal concealed emotions—revolutionized the scientific understanding of deception and emotional expression, providing conclusive evidence that seven basic emotions (happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, and contempt) are universally recognized through specific facial configurations. This work overturned the prevailing cultural determinism theory and established the scientific foundation for systematic study of facial behavior, leading to his development of the Facial Action Coding System (FACS), which has become the gold standard methodology for measuring facial movement used by researchers worldwide. His empirical and theoretical work helped restart the study of emotion and non-verbal communication in psychology, introducing quantitative frameworks that researchers continue to utilize decades later.
Beyond his research, Ekman has profoundly influenced psychological science through his prolific writing, including influential books that have made complex concepts accessible to both academic and general audiences while generating substantial citation impact across multiple disciplines. His work has found practical applications across diverse domains including national security, clinical psychology, law enforcement, and even popular culture, notably inspiring the television series Lie to Me. As Professor Emeritus at UCSF, Ekman continues to consult on research and training related to emotion and deception, maintaining an active role in advancing the field he helped establish. His ongoing collaborations with institutions like Palo Alto University ensure that his theoretical frameworks continue to inform new generations of researchers exploring the intricate relationship between facial expression, emotion, and human behavior with scientific rigor.
