Michael W. Fordyce (December 14, 1944 – January 24, 2011) was an American psychologist and a pioneer researcher in the field of empirical happiness measurement and intervention. As a forerunner who approached "happiness" as an applied science, he ushered-in the modern academic branch of Positive Psychology
Fordyce contributed a happiness-measurement article to the journal Social Indicators Research, which ranked in the journal's top 2.4% most-cited articles. He demonstrated that happiness can be statistically measured and willfully increased (i.e. through "volitional" behavior).
Fordyce worked at Edison State Community College (formerly Edison Community College) in Fort Myers, Florida, where he taught a data-driven "happiness training program" in the form of a college-level course known as Personal Social Adjustment for over three decades.
References
External links , Fordyce's original site A Program to Increase Happiness: Further Studies USCD.edu at Edison Community College Online obituary tribute "I never met Dr. Fordyce in person, but his online book...had a tremendous impact on my life" Harris L. Friedman (2013). The Legacy of a Pioneering Happiness Researcher: Michael W. Fordyce (December 14, 1944–January 24, 2011). J Happiness Stud (2013) 14:363–366. DOI 10.1007/s10902-013-9419-x