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Psychology
A positive worldview is less associated with privilege than expected
A new study from The Primals Project shows that counter to public perception, positive beliefs about the world are a poor indicator of a person’s background.
Trading decisions are observable in the eyes of buyers and sellers
In a new collaborative study, PIK Professor Michael Platt models how the decision-making process unfolds in the brains of buyers and sellers considering a deal. These decisions were observable in eye movements and pupil dilation.
Who, What, Why: Betsy Stade on novel methods for assessing anxiety and depression
The clinical psychology Ph.D. candidate discusses her research on language patterns in anxiety and depression and thinking about alternatives to the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition.”
Creating authentic connections in virtual teams
Working with Matriarca, an Argentinian sustainable goods distributor, scientists from the Wharton Neuroscience Initiative leveraged an exercise known as ‘Fast Friends’ to improve online collaboration within the organization.
AI-guided brain stimulation aids memory in traumatic brain injury
A collaborative study shows that targeted electrical stimulation in the brains of epilepsy patients with traumatic brain injury improved memory recall by 19%.
Four from Penn elected to the National Academy of Sciences
The newly elected members, distinguished scholars recognized for their innovative contributions to original research, include faculty from the School of Arts & Sciences, Perelman School of Medicine, Annenberg School for Communication, and Wharton School.
Read this later: A link between procrastination and creativity
Procrastination is a near-universal human behavior, with some surprising benefits. But when the time comes to focus, Ryan Miller of the Weingarten Center offers tips and time-management tools.
COVID-19 and anti-Asian hate
During the peak of the pandemic, psychology major Tiffany Tieu, in a collaborative study, explored anti-Asian racism through the lens of her peers.
How have women in the workforce fared, three years into the pandemic?
Despite hopeful signs that this demographic is returning to work, certain female-dominated sectors, like the care economy, still haven’t recovered, signaling there’s more to learn about COVID-19’s full effect.
With frank text and bold illustrations, graphic novel tackles puberty head on
The new book, for 9- to 14-year-olds and written by two Penn undergrads and an alum, details what physically happens in the body as girls experience puberty, plus the internal emotions and external social forces that accompany it.
In the News
A bold new federal experiment in giving renters cash
Sara Jaffee of the School of Arts & Sciences is evaluating findings from Philadelphia’s cash rental-assistance program.
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Who says money can’t buy happiness? Here’s how much it costs (really) in different cities
Matthew Killingsworth of the Wharton School says that many people, including scientists, are curious about money’s relationship to happiness.
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Can’t sleep? Try this proven alternative to medication
Philip Gehrman of the Perelman School of Medicine says that as many as 80% of the people who try cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia see improvements in their sleep, with most patients finding relief within four to eight sessions even if they’ve had insomnia for decades.
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The worst people run for office. It’s time for a better way
In an Op-Ed, Adam Grant of the Wharton School argues for a lottery to randomly select political leaders from everyday citizens, rather than a voting system that encourages candidates with exploitative personality traits.
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How to find a morning routine that works for you
Katy Milkman of the Wharton School advises prioritizing one new goal at a time and building out a plan for achieving that goal when it comes to routines.
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The race to link our brains to computers is heating up
PIK Professor Michael Platt says that the brain’s immune system will generally attack foreign additions like implants.
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