News Archives

Researchers Define Who We Are When We Work Together and Evolutionary Origins of the "Wait and See" Approach

PHILADELPHIA -- Whether it is barn-raising or crafting a business plan, humans are among the few creatures that are able to work well cooperatively. According to an evolutionary psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, our success at cooperation results from three distinct personality types.  

Ask Benny: Will the South Street bridge ever be fixed?

Dear Benny,I walk across the South Street Bridge every day on my way to Penn and I have to say it’s in a pretty sorry state. Not only is it incredibly rusty, but chunks of it periodically fall onto the Expressway below, and every time there’s heavy traffic, it shakes. When is the city going to get its act together and repair this vital connector between the campus and Center City? —Scared to cross

Freeman seeks answers to exit-poll discrepancy

RESEARCH/Steven Freeman says exit polls are reliable. So he can’t help wonder why they were so wrong on Election Day. Steven Freeman had the flu in early November, which forced him to lounge around, watch television and surf the Internet more than he usually would. It just so happens one of those lazy nights was Election Night, when Freeman watched, perplexed, as George W. Bush won re-election—despite exit poll numbers that had early that day all but predicted a John Kerry win.

At Work With...Richard Cherry

Bookquick/"The Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1790"

In 1821, at the age of 77, Thomas Jefferson decided to "state some recollections of dates and facts concerning myself." These writings make up "The Autobiography of Thomas Jefferson," and provide a glimpse into the private life and associations of one of America’s most influential personalities.

Penn’s own environmental force of nature talks about preparing the next generation to save the planet

  Included in this special report:

Cultivating a green culture

  Included in this special report: Penn's own environmental force of nature talks about preparing the next generation to save the planet Cultivating a "green" culture

MES program designed to turn out ‘pioneering, adventurous students’

  Included in this special report: Penn's own environmental force of nature talks about preparing the next generation to save the planet Cultivating a "green" culture

Morris horticulturalist works to save Wissahickon, wetland

  Included in this special report: Penn's own environmental force of nature talks about preparing the next generation to save the planet Cultivating a "green" culture

Penn prof joins elite group

Charles O’Brien gets frequent invitations to speak in Europe. The Penn psychiatry professor is fluent in French, which helps. And his area of expertise—the study and treatment of addictions—finds interested audiences wherever he travels.