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Positive Psychology
A simple exercise to help stay calm in the face of coronavirus uncertainty
A simple exercise to help stay calm in the face of coronavirus uncertainty
As the pandemic continues to change, Martin Seligman, director of Penn’s Positive Psychology Center, offers a quick and straightforward way to refocus the mind.
A look back into humanity’s collective history, through religious rituals and practices
A look back into humanity’s collective history, through religious rituals and practices
In a Q&A, psychology doctoral student David Yaden describes his new book, which touches on traditions from Hinduism, Buddhism, and 11 other religions.
What factors predict success?
What factors predict success?
New research from Angela Duckworth and colleagues finds that characteristics beyond intelligence influence long-term achievement.
In the pursuit of happiness, a new class leads the charge
In the pursuit of happiness, a new class leads the charge
The course, taught by Positive Psychology’s James Pawelski, not only gives students an intellectual understanding of the subject but asks them to practice what they’re learning.
Weekly paid professional staff learn resilience through free, online opportunity
Weekly paid professional staff learn resilience through free, online opportunity
Offered through the Online Learning Initiative and the College of Liberal and Professional Studies, the course teaches participants resilience, gratitude, authenticity, and more.
Social scientists trade academic silos for shared work space
Social scientists trade academic silos for shared work space
Faculty and grad students in the new Social and Behavioral Sciences Initiative have access to two state-of-the-art labs, grants, and a collaborative environment aimed at creating a vibrant research community.
Linguistic red flags from Facebook posts can predict future depression diagnoses
Linguistic red flags from Facebook posts can predict future depression diagnoses
The language people use in these social media posts can make these predictions as accurately as the tools clinicians use in medical settings to screen for the disease.
How psychology explains the itch for spring cleaning
How psychology explains the itch for spring cleaning
Wharton Professor Katherine Milkman teases out the “fresh start effect” of temporal landmarks like the first day of spring, New Year’s Day, and other meaningful calendar dates.
Student-led Campus Conversation kicks off Mental Wellness Awareness Week
Student-led Campus Conversation kicks off Mental Wellness Awareness Week
A panel of undergraduate and graduate students address stresses of college life, and what resources are available to help bolster their health and wellness.
In the News
Psychology Today
Why hasn’t the new me shown up yet?
In his book “What You Can Change and What You Can’t,” Martin Seligman of the School of Arts & Sciences says that some personal qualities and habits can’t be changed without extreme difficulty.
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Fortune
You can’t force holiday cheer—but three habits can help you feel happier this season
In his co-written book “Character Strengths and Virtues.” Martin Seligman of the School of Arts & Sciences defines gratitude as being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen and taking time to express thanks.
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Fast Company
Four myths that hold workers back from having fulfilling careers—and how to make your work more meaningful
In an Op-Ed, Tamara Myles of the School of Arts & Sciences uses her research at the Positive Psychology Center to explain why meaningful work is fundamental to happiness.
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CBS Philadelphia
New class from Barnes Foundation and UPenn shows a new twist in art therapy
Penn professors, including James Pawelski and Katherine Cotter of the School of Arts & Sciences, are teaching an online class about art therapy with support from the Barnes Foundation.
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Indo-Asian News Service
ChatGPT shows promise for effective psychotherapy
A study by Martin Seligman of the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues at the Positive Psychology Center found that ChatGPT could generate highly detailed and accurate personal narratives for use in a therapeutic context.
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First for Women
What to do when you feel like giving up: Experts share secrets to restoring hope
Karen Reivich of the School of Arts & Sciences recommends identifying which core positive emotion is quintessentially “you” and finding small ways to feel that every day.
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