Psychology Wiki
Register
(Created page with "{{ClinPsy}} '''Richard J. Davidson''' (born December 12, 1951) is professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as well as Founde...")
 
No edit summary
 
Line 4: Line 4:
 
==Early life and Education==
 
==Early life and Education==
   
Born in [[Brooklyn]],<ref name="CV">{{cite web |url=http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/personnel/RJD_CV_April_11.pdf |title=Richard J Davidson |month=April |year=2011 |accessdate=25 April 2011}}</ref> Richard "Richie" Davidson attended [[Midwood High School]]. Whilst there, between 1968–1971, he worked as a summer research assistant in the sleep laboratory at nearby [[Maimonides Medical Center]]<ref name="CV"/> cleaning electrodes that had been affixed to subjects' bodies for [[Polysomnography|sleep studies]].<ref name="Bio2004">{{cite web| url=http://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/hs/departments/lmtc/frontiers/Richard_Davidson.pdf |title=Biography from Current Biography (2004) |accessdate=25 April 2011}}</ref>
+
Born in Brooklyn,<ref name="CV">{{cite web |url=http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/personnel/RJD_CV_April_11.pdf |title=Richard J Davidson |month=April |year=2011 |accessdate=25 April 2011}}</ref> Richard "Richie" Davidson attended Midwood High School. Whilst there, between 1968–1971, he worked as a summer research assistant in the sleep laboratory at nearby [[Maimonides Medical Center]]<ref name="CV"/> cleaning electrodes that had been affixed to subjects' bodies for [[Polysomnography|sleep studies]].<ref name="Bio2004">{{cite web| url=http://www.waunakee.k12.wi.us/hs/departments/lmtc/frontiers/Richard_Davidson.pdf |title=Biography from Current Biography (2004) |accessdate=25 April 2011}}</ref>
   
 
Davidson went on to receive his B.A. in Psychology from [[New York University|NYU (Heights)]] in 1972.<ref name="CV"/><ref name="Bio2011">{{cite web |url=http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/personnel/davidson_bio_2011.pdf |title=RJD CV January 11|format=PDF |month=January |year=2011 |accessdate=25 April 2011}}</ref><ref name="Director">{{cite web |url=http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/personnel/director.html |title=Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D., Lab Director|accessdate=25 April 2011 }}</ref> He chose to study at [[Harvard University]] to work with [[Daniel Goleman]] and [[Gary Schwartz]]<ref name="Bio2004"/> and gained his Ph.D. in Personality, Psychopathology, and Psychophysiology there in 1976.<ref name="CV"/><ref name="Director"/> At Harvard, Davidson was mentored by [[David McClelland|David C. McClelland]] and was also influenced by [[Norman Geschwind]] and [[Walle Nauta|Walle J. H. Nauta]].<ref name="Bio2004"/>
 
Davidson went on to receive his B.A. in Psychology from [[New York University|NYU (Heights)]] in 1972.<ref name="CV"/><ref name="Bio2011">{{cite web |url=http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/personnel/davidson_bio_2011.pdf |title=RJD CV January 11|format=PDF |month=January |year=2011 |accessdate=25 April 2011}}</ref><ref name="Director">{{cite web |url=http://psyphz.psych.wisc.edu/web/personnel/director.html |title=Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D., Lab Director|accessdate=25 April 2011 }}</ref> He chose to study at [[Harvard University]] to work with [[Daniel Goleman]] and [[Gary Schwartz]]<ref name="Bio2004"/> and gained his Ph.D. in Personality, Psychopathology, and Psychophysiology there in 1976.<ref name="CV"/><ref name="Director"/> At Harvard, Davidson was mentored by [[David McClelland|David C. McClelland]] and was also influenced by [[Norman Geschwind]] and [[Walle Nauta|Walle J. H. Nauta]].<ref name="Bio2004"/>
Line 18: Line 18:
 
Davidson's research is focused on cortical and subcortical substrates of emotion and [[affective disorder]]s, including depression and anxiety. Participants in imaging experiments include normal adults and young children, and those with, or at risk for, affective and [[anxiety disorders]]. Techniques used include quantitative electrophysiology, [[positron emission tomography]] and [[functional magnetic resonance imaging]] to make inferences about patterns of regional brain function. A major focus of his current work is on interactions between [[prefrontal cortex]] and the [[amygdala]] in the regulation of emotion in both normal subjects and patients with affective and anxiety disorders.
 
Davidson's research is focused on cortical and subcortical substrates of emotion and [[affective disorder]]s, including depression and anxiety. Participants in imaging experiments include normal adults and young children, and those with, or at risk for, affective and [[anxiety disorders]]. Techniques used include quantitative electrophysiology, [[positron emission tomography]] and [[functional magnetic resonance imaging]] to make inferences about patterns of regional brain function. A major focus of his current work is on interactions between [[prefrontal cortex]] and the [[amygdala]] in the regulation of emotion in both normal subjects and patients with affective and anxiety disorders.
   
Richard Davidson is popularizing the idea that based on what is known about the plasticity of the brain, we can learn happiness and compassion as skills just as we learn to play a musical instrument, or train in golf or tennis.<ref name="train your mind">{{cite book
+
Richard Davidson is popularizing the idea that based on what is known about the [[plasticity of the brain]], we can learn [[happiness]] and [[compassion]] as skills just as we learn to play a musical instrument, or train in golf or tennis.<ref name="train your mind">{{cite book
 
|title=Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves |first=Sharon |last=Begley |authorlink=Sharon Begley |pages=229–242 |chapter=Transforming the Emotional Mind |date=January 2, 2007 |publisher=[[Ballantine Books]]|isbn=978-1-4000-6390-1 }}</ref> Happiness, like any skill, requires practice and time but because we know that the brain is built to change in response to mental training, it is possible to train a mind to be happy.<ref name="train your mind" />
 
|title=Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves |first=Sharon |last=Begley |authorlink=Sharon Begley |pages=229–242 |chapter=Transforming the Emotional Mind |date=January 2, 2007 |publisher=[[Ballantine Books]]|isbn=978-1-4000-6390-1 }}</ref> Happiness, like any skill, requires practice and time but because we know that the brain is built to change in response to mental training, it is possible to train a mind to be happy.<ref name="train your mind" />
   
Line 32: Line 32:
 
===Research with the Dalai Lama===
 
===Research with the Dalai Lama===
   
A longtime friend of the [[14th Dalai Lama]], some of his work involves research on the brain as it relates to [[meditation]].<ref name="train your mind" /> Davidson has long maintained his own daily meditation practice, and continues to communicate regularly with the Dalai Lama.
+
A longtime friend of the 14th Dalai Lama, some of his work involves research on the brain as it relates to [[meditation]].<ref name="train your mind" /> Davidson has long maintained his own daily meditation practice, and continues to communicate regularly with the Dalai Lama.
   
 
This connection has caused controversy, with some scientists criticizing Davidson for being too close to someone with an interest in the outcome of his research and others claiming that it represents an inappropriate mix of faith and science. When he invited the Dalai Lama to participate in the "Neuroscience and Society" program of the Society for Neuroscience meeting in 2005, over 500 researchers signed a petition in protest.<ref name=Foley>{{cite web |first=Ryan J. |last=Foley |url=http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=27305&article=Scientist%2c+Dalai+Lama+share+research+effort |title=Scientist, Dalai Lama share research effort |publisher=AP |date=May 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=John |last=Gierland |url=http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.02/dalai.html |title=Wired 14.02: Buddha on the Brain |month=February |year=2006 |volume=14 |issue=02 |journal=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]}}</ref> The majority of the petitioners were Chinese researchers, who may disagree politically with the Dalai Lama's stance on Tibet.<ref name=Foley /> The controversy subsided quickly after most scientists attending the talk found it appropriate.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Yudhijit |last=Bhattacharjee |url=http://www.sciencemag.org/content/310/5751/1104.full.pdf |title=Science |date=November 18, 2005 |volume=310 |page=1104 |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |issue=5751}}</ref>
 
This connection has caused controversy, with some scientists criticizing Davidson for being too close to someone with an interest in the outcome of his research and others claiming that it represents an inappropriate mix of faith and science. When he invited the Dalai Lama to participate in the "Neuroscience and Society" program of the Society for Neuroscience meeting in 2005, over 500 researchers signed a petition in protest.<ref name=Foley>{{cite web |first=Ryan J. |last=Foley |url=http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=27305&article=Scientist%2c+Dalai+Lama+share+research+effort |title=Scientist, Dalai Lama share research effort |publisher=AP |date=May 15, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |first=John |last=Gierland |url=http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.02/dalai.html |title=Wired 14.02: Buddha on the Brain |month=February |year=2006 |volume=14 |issue=02 |journal=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]}}</ref> The majority of the petitioners were Chinese researchers, who may disagree politically with the Dalai Lama's stance on Tibet.<ref name=Foley /> The controversy subsided quickly after most scientists attending the talk found it appropriate.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Yudhijit |last=Bhattacharjee |url=http://www.sciencemag.org/content/310/5751/1104.full.pdf |title=Science |date=November 18, 2005 |volume=310 |page=1104 |journal=[[Science (journal)|Science]] |issue=5751}}</ref>
Line 38: Line 38:
 
==Awards and honors==
 
==Awards and honors==
   
In 2000, Davidson received the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award, for lifetime achievement from the [[American Psychological Association]].<ref name="Bio2004"/>
+
In 2000, Davidson received the [[Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the American Psychological Association]].<ref name="Bio2004"/>
   
''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine named Dr. Davidson one of the world's top 100 most influential people in a 2006 issue.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Andrew |last=Weil |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1187248,00.html |title=Richard Davidson |date=April 30, 2006 |journal=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] }}</ref>
+
''Time'' magazine named Dr. Davidson one of the world's top 100 most influential people in a 2006 issue.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Andrew |last=Weil |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1187248,00.html |title=Richard Davidson |date=April 30, 2006 |journal=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] }}</ref>
   
 
==Publications==
 
==Publications==

Latest revision as of 23:49, 19 June 2013

Assessment | Biopsychology | Comparative | Cognitive | Developmental | Language | Individual differences | Personality | Philosophy | Social |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |

Clinical: Approaches · Group therapy · Techniques · Types of problem · Areas of specialism · Taxonomies · Therapeutic issues · Modes of delivery · Model translation project · Personal experiences ·


Richard J. Davidson (born December 12, 1951) is professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison as well as Founder and Chair of the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the Waisman Center.

Early life and Education

Born in Brooklyn,[1] Richard "Richie" Davidson attended Midwood High School. Whilst there, between 1968–1971, he worked as a summer research assistant in the sleep laboratory at nearby Maimonides Medical Center[1] cleaning electrodes that had been affixed to subjects' bodies for sleep studies.[2]

Davidson went on to receive his B.A. in Psychology from NYU (Heights) in 1972.[1][3][4] He chose to study at Harvard University to work with Daniel Goleman and Gary Schwartz[2] and gained his Ph.D. in Personality, Psychopathology, and Psychophysiology there in 1976.[1][4] At Harvard, Davidson was mentored by David C. McClelland and was also influenced by Norman Geschwind and Walle J. H. Nauta.[2]

Career

In 1976 Davidson took a teaching post at the State University of New York at Purchase where he subsequently held several posts including research consultancies at the Department of Pediatrics, Infant Laboratory, Roosevelt Hospital, New York and the Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH.[1]

In 1984 he joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin at Madison[2] where he has since remained. He is currently Director of the Laboratory for Affective Neuroscience, Director of the Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, and the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds, the final where he serves as Founder and Chair.[4]

Research

Davidson's research is focused on cortical and subcortical substrates of emotion and affective disorders, including depression and anxiety. Participants in imaging experiments include normal adults and young children, and those with, or at risk for, affective and anxiety disorders. Techniques used include quantitative electrophysiology, positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging to make inferences about patterns of regional brain function. A major focus of his current work is on interactions between prefrontal cortex and the amygdala in the regulation of emotion in both normal subjects and patients with affective and anxiety disorders.

Richard Davidson is popularizing the idea that based on what is known about the plasticity of the brain, we can learn happiness and compassion as skills just as we learn to play a musical instrument, or train in golf or tennis.[5] Happiness, like any skill, requires practice and time but because we know that the brain is built to change in response to mental training, it is possible to train a mind to be happy.[5]

Richard Davidson and his collaborators have used rhesus monkeys as models of human neurophysiology and emotional response since 1992 when he and fellow UW–Madison researchers Ned H. Kalin and Steven E. Shelton published “Lateralized effects of diazepam on frontal brain electrical asymmetries in rhesus monkeys.”[6] In 2004 the same group published further results the role of the central nucleus of the amygdala in mediating fear and anxiety in the primate.[7] In 2007, Drs Kalin, Shelton & Davidson reported that experimental lesions of adolescent rhesus monkeys' orbitofrontal cortex resulted in "significantly decreased threat-induced freezing and marginally decreased fearful responses to a snake."[8]

Dr. Davidson's work with human subjects has attracted the attention of both scientific and popular press, and has been covered by Scientific American[9] and The New York Times.[10]

Research with the Dalai Lama

A longtime friend of the 14th Dalai Lama, some of his work involves research on the brain as it relates to meditation.[5] Davidson has long maintained his own daily meditation practice, and continues to communicate regularly with the Dalai Lama.

This connection has caused controversy, with some scientists criticizing Davidson for being too close to someone with an interest in the outcome of his research and others claiming that it represents an inappropriate mix of faith and science. When he invited the Dalai Lama to participate in the "Neuroscience and Society" program of the Society for Neuroscience meeting in 2005, over 500 researchers signed a petition in protest.[11][12] The majority of the petitioners were Chinese researchers, who may disagree politically with the Dalai Lama's stance on Tibet.[11] The controversy subsided quickly after most scientists attending the talk found it appropriate.[13]

Awards and honors

In 2000, Davidson received the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the American Psychological Association.[2]

Time magazine named Dr. Davidson one of the world's top 100 most influential people in a 2006 issue.[14]

Publications

Davidson has published many papers, chapter articles and edited 13 books.[3] In 2001 he was the founding co-editor, with Klaus Scherer, of the American Psychological Association journal Emotion.[15]

Davidson is currently on the Editorial Board of Greater Good Magazine, published by the Greater Good Science Center of the University of California, Berkeley.[16] Dr. Davidson's contributions include the interpretation of scientific research into the roots of compassion, altruism, and peaceful human relationships.[5]

He has written a New York Times bestseller (with Sharon Begley) titled "The Emotional Life of Your Brain," published by Penguin in March 2012.

Selected publications

Papers

Books

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 (2011). Richard J Davidson. URL accessed on 25 April 2011.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Biography from Current Biography (2004). URL accessed on 25 April 2011.
  3. 3.0 3.1 (2011). RJD CV January 11. (PDF) URL accessed on 25 April 2011.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D., Lab Director. URL accessed on 25 April 2011.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Begley, Sharon (January 2, 2007). "Transforming the Emotional Mind" Train Your Mind, Change Your Brain: How a New Science Reveals Our Extraordinary Potential to Transform Ourselves, 229–242, Ballantine Books.
  6. (1 September 1992)Lateralized effects of diazepam on frontal brain electrical asymmetries in rhesus monkeys. Biological Psychiatry 32 (5): 438–451.
  7. DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0292-04.2004
    This citation will be automatically completed in the next few minutes. You can jump the queue or expand by hand
  8. (2007). Role of the Primate Orbitofrontal Cortex in Mediating Anxious Temperament. Biological Psychiatry 62 (10): 1134–9.
  9. Reiner, Peter B. (May 26, 2009). Meditation on Demand. Scientific American.
  10. Fountain, Henry (April 1, 2005). Study of Social Interactions Starts With a Test of Trust. The New York Times.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Foley, Ryan J. Scientist, Dalai Lama share research effort. AP.
  12. Gierland, John (February 2006). Wired 14.02: Buddha on the Brain. Wired 14 (02).
  13. Bhattacharjee, Yudhijit (November 18, 2005). Science. Science 310 (5751).
  14. Weil, Andrew (April 30, 2006). Richard Davidson. Time.
  15. DOI:10.1037/1528-3542.1.1.3
    This citation will be automatically completed in the next few minutes. You can jump the queue or expand by hand
  16. People. Greater Good. University of California, Berkeley. URL accessed on 25 April 2011.

External links


This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).