Michigan Daily: Christopher Peterson, prominent U-M psychology professor, dies

Peterson died Tuesday, The Daily reported. The cause of death was not known.

Peterson, 62, was a leader in the field of positive psychology, which he described in a Psychology Today article as the “scientific study of what makes life most worth living.” Peterson was one of the 100 most-cited psychologists in the world, according to Psychology Today.

He was an Arthur F. Thurnau Professor at U-M, a prestigious title given to tenured faculty members who excel at undergraduate education.

Peterson also was popular with students and received the Golden Apple Award in 2010. The award honors a professor, selected by students, for outstanding teaching.

At the time, colleague Nansook Park praised his teaching skill. "He’s a great teacher not because he’s perfect, but because he never stops trying to be a better one," Park said.

Peterson penned hundreds of scholarly articles during his career, in addition to books and chapters on topics from character strengths to terrorist rhetoric. He was also one of the most sought after speakers in psychology worldwide. He began teaching at U-M in 1986 as a professor of psychology and organizational studies.

• Read The Michigan Daily article.