Edward Francis Diener

Senior Scientist, Gallup, Washington, District of Columbia; Joseph R. Smiley Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Emeritus, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois. Established subjective well-being as an area of inquiry in the behavioral sciences. Creates and validates measures of well-being; assesses universal versus cross-culturally specific causes of well-being; and studies the influence of personality on well-being. Studies the effects of positive emotions on health and longevity, social relationships, income and employment, and citizenship behaviors. Established that social support, extroversion, and basic-need fulfillment are universal predictors of well-being across societies. Foremost psychologist-authority on the effects of income on well-being. Has presented findings to the United Nations, the Centers for Disease Control, the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and several international agencies and governments.