Phoebe Ellsworth, Professor of Psychology and Law, University of Michigan

Title: Appraisal Theories of Emotion

Abstract: Emotion was largely neglected in Psychology until the late 20thcentury, when it quickly became a central focus of research. This talk traces this history and describes the major theoretical approaches to emotion, with particular emphasis on appraisal theories and their applications to various areas of Psychology, especially cross-cultural psychology.

Bio: Phoebe C. Ellsworth is the Frank Murphy Distinguished University Professor of Psychology and Law at the University of Michigan. She received her BA from Harvard and her PhD from Stanford, and taught at Yale and Stanford before coming to Michigan. She is known for her work on emotion, and is an originator of the appraisal theory of emotion. She has also done work in the field of Psychology and Law on topics such as public opinion and the death penalty, juries, and the relation between law and social science. She has been awarded the  APS Cattell award for lifetime contribution in applied research, the SESP Distinguished Scientist award, and the SPSP Career Contribution and Legacy awards, as well as awards from APA, APS, and SPSP for excellence in mentoring.