Psychology Research Colloquium set Feb. 6

The chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas-Austin will give the

keynote address, “What Our Words Say About Us,” Monday, Feb. 6, at the 10^th annual Psychology Research Colloquium.

Dr. James W. Pennebaker, who also holds the Regents Centennial Professor of Liberal Arts post at UT, will speak 9-10:30 a.m. in J.E. and L.E. Mabee Library Auditorium. His presentation will be followed 10:30 a.m.-noon by three student research presentations.

Pennebaker holds a bachelor’s degree from Eckerd College and a doctorate in psychology from UT-Austin.

Before coming to UT in 1997, he was on the faculty at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Pennebacker and his students are exploring the links between traumatic experiences, expressive writing, natural language use, and physical and mental health. His studies find that physical health and work performance can improve by simple writing and/or talking exercises. His most recent research focuses on the nature of language and emotion in the real world. The words people use serve as powerful reflections of their personality and social worlds.

He is the author or editor of nine books and more than 250 articles, Pennebaker has received numerous awards and honors.

Dr.  James Pennebaker