Abigail Marsh

Abigail Marsh is a professor in the Psychology Department at Georgetown University, a Senior Research Scientist at the Laboratory of Neurosciences in the National Institutes of Health, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding how complex social processes, such as moral behavior, are shaped by the brain. The common thread running through her research is exploring the deep mysteries of human emotion and morality, while addressing some of society’s greatest problems, such as violence and mental health.

Although Dr. Marsh has an impressive history as a researcher, she is perhaps best known for her book The Fear Factor: How One Emotion Connects Altruists, Psychopaths, and Everyone in Between (Riverhead / Penguin, 2018). In The Fear Factor, Marsh shines a light on the science behind fear and explains why people respond differently to fear-inducing stimuli. She shows how a heightened fear response can lead to moral behavior, as well as violent and dangerous impulses, depending on the individual.

Marsh’s research into fear’s role in the development of psychopathic behavior is especially noteworthy. Through her laboratory research, Marsh has identified the various emotional pathways that lead to a heightened fear response in individuals. This fear response, in turn, plays a key role in shaping moral behavior and deciding whether a person will act with altruism or aggression. In essence, Marsh shows how one feeling can sway individuals between two opposite ends of the moral spectrum.

Beyond her research, Dr. Marsh is also committed to public engagement and policy change. She is a strong advocate for criminal justice reform and has written several articles advocating for the de-stigmatization of severe mental health issues. Marsh regularly presents her work at seminars, giving audiences a closer look into the science and implications behind fear and morality.

If you’re looking for a deeper understanding of the emotion behind moral decisions, and a thoughtful perspective on criminal justice and mental health reform, Abigail Marsh is the author to read. Her book, The Fear Factor, is an important resource for anyone interested in better understanding the development and complexity of moral behavior. Drawing on years of dedicated research, Marsh has crafted a valuable resource that is both informative and thought-provoking.