The American Psychological Society is awarding its highest honor to University of Hawaii-Manoa psychology professor Elaine Hatfield.

The society is presenting Hatfield its 2012 William James Award for a lifetime of significant intellectual contributions to the science of psychology.

Hatfield has researched and written extensively about emotions, emotional contagion, love and human sexuality.

Her publications include "A New Look at Love" and "Mirror, Mirror: The Importance of Looks in Everyday Life," which won the American Psychological Association and American Psychological Foundation’s National Media Award.

The university said Wednesday that Hatfield has been a member of the UH faculty since 1981.