Daniel Gilbert

Daniel Gilbert is an American psychologist and author whose work focuses on the science of understanding happiness and wellbeing. He is best known for his research on the subjective nature of happiness and his books Stumbling on Happiness, The Surprising Science of Happiness, and The Geography of Bliss.

A born and raised Bostonian, Gilbert was born in 1957. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Harvard University, and later his Ph.D. in social psychology from Princeton University. After graduating, he become a professor at Harvard and was also appointed the Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at the university until 2014 when he stepped back to a remedial position.

As a researcher, Gilbert is best known for his work on the interplay between cognitive biases and the satisfaction with life. His most famous research is the comparison of predicted happiness with actual happiness after an event happens in our lives. He found that we tend to overestimate how happy certain events will make us, and often, the effect is weaker than we thought.

His work has made an impact on many different fields. Last year, he was part of a research team that identified a genetic link between subjective wellbeing and longevity. His work is also highly visible in the fields of public health and policy, with many policy recommendations based on his findings.

Gilbert is also a popular and award-winning author. He has published several books, including the 2005 best-selling book Stumbling on Happiness and The Surprising Science of Happiness, both of which were published by Random House. His 2016 book, The Geography of Bliss, explores the connections between happiness and location.

In addition to his research and written works, Gilbert is also a popular public speaker. He has appeared on numerous television shows and podcasts, including The Colbert Report, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and TED Talks. He is also a featured speaker at leading universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and Yale.

Above all, Gilbert's research and books continue to be praised and highly respected as valuable sources of insight on the science of happiness. Stumbling on Happiness is recognized as a classic in the field, and The Surprising Science of Happiness has been translated into over 30 languages and is used in classrooms around the world. His research has changed the way people understand happiness and well-being, making Daniel Gilbert one of the leading experts on the science of happiness.