Robert S. Feldman

Robert S. Feldman is the Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he works closely with the Chancellor to promote institutional vision and priorities while conducting research and teaching in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Dr. Feldman earned his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1974. His scholarly career spans over five decades with significant contributions to both academic research and educational practice.

His research primarily focuses on self-presentation and deception in social interactions, examining how, when, and why people are verbally deceptive across various contexts. He also investigates factors that promote academic success in college students, with an emphasis on improving the undergraduate experience and increasing student retention. His work spans applied social psychology, emotion and affect, interpersonal processes, and nonverbal behavior, with particular attention to strategic deception in everyday life and professional settings.

Analysis of Dr. Feldman's scholarly output reveals a consistent trajectory examining deception from multiple angles - in job interviews, online environments, academic settings, and interpersonal relationships. His publications demonstrate interdisciplinary reach spanning social psychology, educational psychology, and communication studies, with growing attention to digital contexts in more recent work.

Dr. Feldman has made substantial contributions to undergraduate education through his widely adopted textbooks, including multiple editions of 'Understanding Psychology' and 'P.O.W.E.R. Learning,' which have influenced psychology education for generations of students. His teaching philosophy emphasizes student-centered approaches and practical application of psychological principles.