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Michele W. Berger
Science News Officer
mwberger@upenn.edu
Psychology
A new link between fear, imitation, and antisocial behavior in children
A new link between fear, imitation, and antisocial behavior in children
In a pair of studies, researchers from Penn and Boston University offer insight into a set of traits often characterized by a lack of empathy and sensitivity to others’ emotions.
Paideia’s spring course offerings highlight wellness, service, and citizenship
Paideia’s spring course offerings highlight wellness, service, and citizenship
The first four courses offered to Penn undergraduates as part of the new Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Program will focus on passion, civility, effective communication, and a deep dive into American Chinatowns.
Memory recall and spatial navigation elicit similar electrical activity in brain
Memory recall and spatial navigation elicit similar electrical activity in brain
Penn neuroscientists show for the first time that low-frequency oscillations called theta waves appear in both cases, a finding that could eventually help diminish memory loss.
How does opioid exposure affect brain development in young children?
How does opioid exposure affect brain development in young children?
That’s the question Allyson Mackey and Dylan Tisdall hope to answer, through a new grant from an NIH initiative focused on addiction research.
What factors predict success?
What factors predict success?
New research from Angela Duckworth and colleagues finds that characteristics beyond intelligence influence long-term achievement.
The virtual assistant
The virtual assistant
Artificial intelligence has permeated many corners of life, from consumer purchasing and media consumption to health care—sometimes in ways we don’t even know.
Minds in the wild
Minds in the wild
As part of a MindCORE effort to bring research into the community, behavioral psychologist Elizabeth Brannon and her team spent the summer conducting two studies at the Academy of Natural Sciences to better understand how children learn.
Hunter-gatherers agree on what is moral, but not who is moral
Hunter-gatherers agree on what is moral, but not who is moral
In determining whether there is a universal concept of moral character, research could provide insight into ways to improve our interactions with one another.
No evidence that testosterone reduces cognitive empathy
No evidence that testosterone reduces cognitive empathy
In the largest study of its kind, researchers found that testosterone administration did not affect cognitive empathy, a measure of the ability to recognize another’s feelings and motivations. The finding calls into question the theory that the symptoms of autism are caused by a hyper-masculinized brain.
Penn parents equipped with new book on resilience
Penn parents equipped with new book on resilience
‘The Stressed Years of Their Lives,’ co-authored by Professor of Psychiatry Anthony Rostain, was handed out to hundreds of parents as part of New Student Orientation.
Media Contact
In the News
Newsweek
What UFO ‘Encounters’ Can Tell Us About Fake News and Climate Change Denial
School of Arts and Sciences doctoral candidate Kate Dorsch’s research on the tensions between UFO witnesses and scientists speaks to contemporary challenges to confirmation biases.
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Las Vegas Review-Journal
Racially-charged Situations Topic at Black History Month Event
Howard Stevenson of the Graduate School of Education gave a lecture on racial literacy and outlined steps for coping with racially charged conversations and situations.
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