Geoffrey Beattie
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey Beattie is Professor of Psychology in the School of Psychological Sciences at the University of Manchester
and is a Professorial Research Fellow in the Sustainable Consumption Institute established at the university in 2008. A Fellow of the British Psychological Society
, Beattie was awarded the Spearman Medal by the BPS in 1984. He served as President of the Psychology section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science
from 2005 to 2006.
Research Interests
Professor Beattie's research interests include:
Books
Geoffrey has published 17 books. His novel entitled 'The Corner Boys' was short-listed for the Ewart-Biggs Literary Prize
in 1999 (as was ‘We Are The People: Journeys Through the Heart of Protestant Ulster’ in 1992). 'On the Ropes: Boxing as a Way of Life' was runner-up for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year
in 1996. His recent book, ‘Why Aren’t We Saving The Planet? A Psychologist’s Perspective’ (2010) has been described as ‘a brilliant book that has opened up a veritable practical path to solving the crises facing the planet. This is required reading for everyone who is interested in our survival’ by Marcel Danesi
(University of Toronto and Editor of Semiotica). Geoff's latest book is ‘Get the Edge: How Simple Changes Will Transform Your Life’ (2011). He has persuaded Aaron Beck
, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania (and founder of CBT) to describe it as being full of ‘wonderful advice based on the wisdom of a lifetime combined with lessons firmly rooted in psychological research. This book is not only profoundly informative, but also a pleasure to read.’
Media
Geoffrey was the psychologist and presenter on 'The Farm of Fussy Eaters'
(UKTV Style, 2007) and Channel 4's 'Dump Your Mates in Four Days' (2006/07) and resident on-screen psychologist on ITV's 'Ghost Hunting with...'
(2007-11). He was presenter of BBC1's 'Family SOS' (2004/05) and co-presenter of BBC1's 'Life's too Short' (2002). Geoff was also the resident psychologist on ten 'Big Brother'
series. His television credits also include 'Child of Our Time'
(BBC1), 'Diet Trials' (BBC1), 'Tomorrow's World'
(BBC1). On the run up to the General Election in 2005 Geoff had a regular slot on the ITV news
at 10.30 called 'The Body Politic', in which he analysed the body language of the senior politicians involved in the election. He has also been a regular contributor to 'Richard and Judy', the 'Lorraine Kelly Show', 'GMTV', the 'Extreme Celebrity' shows, 'BBC News 24' and 'Sky News'. His academic publications have appeared in a wide variety of international journals including Nature, Semiotica, and the Journal of Language and Social Psychology. Geoff has been keen to show how psychology can illuminate many aspects of human experience and has written for a diverse range of newspapers and magazines including: The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, The Sunday Telegraph, The Observer, The New Statesman, and Marie Claire.
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
and is a Professorial Research Fellow in the Sustainable Consumption Institute established at the university in 2008. A Fellow of the British Psychological Society
British Psychological Society
The British Psychological Society is a representative body for psychologists and psychology in the United Kingdom. The BPS is also a Registered Charity and, along with advantages, this also imposes certain constraints on what the society can and cannot do...
, Beattie was awarded the Spearman Medal by the BPS in 1984. He served as President of the Psychology section of the British Association for the Advancement of Science
British Association for the Advancement of Science
frame|right|"The BA" logoThe British Association for the Advancement of Science or the British Science Association, formerly known as the BA, is a learned society with the object of promoting science, directing general attention to scientific matters, and facilitating interaction between...
from 2005 to 2006.
Research Interests
Professor Beattie's research interests include:
- Social psychology and applied social psychology
- Implicit and explicit attitudes to the environment
- Human multi-modal communication, including speech and nonverbal communication, particularly unconscious gesture
- Perception and processing, including subliminal processing
- Micro-level analysis of individual behaviour and action in the context of sustainability
- Advertising
Books
Geoffrey has published 17 books. His novel entitled 'The Corner Boys' was short-listed for the Ewart-Biggs Literary Prize
Christopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize
The Christopher Ewart-Biggs Memorial Prize was created in 1977, in memory of Christopher Ewart-Biggs, British Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, who was assassinated by the IRA in 1976....
in 1999 (as was ‘We Are The People: Journeys Through the Heart of Protestant Ulster’ in 1992). 'On the Ropes: Boxing as a Way of Life' was runner-up for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year
William Hill Sports Book of the Year
The William Hill Sports Book of the Year is an annual British literary award sponsored by bookmakers William Hill. It claims to be "the world's richest sports book prize" at £22,000...
in 1996. His recent book, ‘Why Aren’t We Saving The Planet? A Psychologist’s Perspective’ (2010) has been described as ‘a brilliant book that has opened up a veritable practical path to solving the crises facing the planet. This is required reading for everyone who is interested in our survival’ by Marcel Danesi
Marcel Danesi
Marcel Danesi is a current Professor of Semiotics and Linguistic Anthropology at the University of Toronto. He is known for his work in language, communications, and semiotics; being Director of the Program in semiotics and communication theory...
(University of Toronto and Editor of Semiotica). Geoff's latest book is ‘Get the Edge: How Simple Changes Will Transform Your Life’ (2011). He has persuaded Aaron Beck
Aaron T. Beck
Aaron Temkin Beck is an American psychiatrist and a professor emeritus in the department of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania. He is widely regarded as the father of cognitive therapy, and his pioneering theories are widely used in the treatment of clinical depression...
, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania (and founder of CBT) to describe it as being full of ‘wonderful advice based on the wisdom of a lifetime combined with lessons firmly rooted in psychological research. This book is not only profoundly informative, but also a pleasure to read.’
Media
Geoffrey was the psychologist and presenter on 'The Farm of Fussy Eaters'
Selective eating disorder
Selective eating disorder is an eating disorder that prevents the consumption of certain foods. It is often viewed as a phase of childhood that is generally overcome with age...
(UKTV Style, 2007) and Channel 4's 'Dump Your Mates in Four Days' (2006/07) and resident on-screen psychologist on ITV's 'Ghost Hunting with...'
Ghosthunting With...
Ghosthunting With... is based on investigating purported paranormal activity. Yvette Fielding hosts the programme, broadcast on digital channel ITV2, where she takes celebrities to haunted buildings to investigate....
(2007-11). He was presenter of BBC1's 'Family SOS' (2004/05) and co-presenter of BBC1's 'Life's too Short' (2002). Geoff was also the resident psychologist on ten 'Big Brother'
Big Brother (UK)
Big Brother UK is the British version of the Dutch Big Brother television format, which takes its name from the character in George Orwell's 1948 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four...
series. His television credits also include 'Child of Our Time'
Child of Our Time
Child of Our Time is a documentary commissioned by the BBC co-produced with The Open University and presented by Professor The Lord Winston which follows up on the lives of 25 babies who were born around the turn of the year 2000 as they grow from infancy, through childhood and on to becoming young...
(BBC1), 'Diet Trials' (BBC1), 'Tomorrow's World'
Tomorrow's World
Tomorrow's World was a long-running BBC television series, showcasing new developments in the world of science and technology. First aired on 7 July 1965 on BBC1, it ran for 38 years until it was cancelled at the beginning of 2003.- Content :...
(BBC1). On the run up to the General Election in 2005 Geoff had a regular slot on the ITV news
ITV News
ITV News is the branding of news programmes on the British television network ITV. Since 1955, ITV's news bulletins have been produced by Independent Television News . The channel's news coverage has won awards from the Royal Television Society, Emmy Awards and BAFTAs. Between 2004 and 2008, the...
at 10.30 called 'The Body Politic', in which he analysed the body language of the senior politicians involved in the election. He has also been a regular contributor to 'Richard and Judy', the 'Lorraine Kelly Show', 'GMTV', the 'Extreme Celebrity' shows, 'BBC News 24' and 'Sky News'. His academic publications have appeared in a wide variety of international journals including Nature, Semiotica, and the Journal of Language and Social Psychology. Geoff has been keen to show how psychology can illuminate many aspects of human experience and has written for a diverse range of newspapers and magazines including: The Guardian, The Times, The Independent, The Sunday Telegraph, The Observer, The New Statesman, and Marie Claire.