6.22
Michele W. Berger
Science News Officer
mwberger@upenn.edu
Psychology
Brain scans of 9- to 11-year-olds offer clues about aggressive, antisocial behavior
Brain scans of 9- to 11-year-olds offer clues about aggressive, antisocial behavior
Two new papers, one about gray matter, the other about reward behavior, suggest that at the neural level not all conduct problems look the same.
A new approach to aiding Black male trauma survivors
A new approach to aiding Black male trauma survivors
In a collaborative new study between the School of Nursing and Drexel University, researchers have peeled back the layers of what causes and prevents many trauma-surviving Black men from seeking needed professional behavioral health care.
Joseph Kable discusses decision making amidst the pandemic
Joseph Kable discusses decision making amidst the pandemic
Joseph Kable, Baird Term Professor of Psychology, seeks to understand how people make decisions by taking a multilevel approach: understanding the process at both the psychological and biological level.
Web-based platforms provide supporting resources for Penn Medicine staff
Web-based platforms provide supporting resources for Penn Medicine staff
As health care professionals continue to rise to the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn Medicine has worked diligently, expeditiously, and compassionately to organize resources for frontline workers.
Police killings and Black mental health
Police killings and Black mental health
Specialists from across the Penn community discuss the mental health impacts of Black people being subjected to videos of African Americans being killed by the police.
Talking positive psychology and COVID-19 with Larry King
Talking positive psychology and COVID-19 with Larry King
In a free video series co-hosted by James Pawelski, King interviews researchers about coping during the pandemic. In a June 11 event, they’ll speak with actor Kevin Bacon about philanthropy, arts and culture’s role in well-being, and the importance of open dialogue.
Cultivating robust civil dialogue during times of unrest
Cultivating robust civil dialogue during times of unrest
Through the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Program, Penn students are learning how to reflect on and engage with subjects like the coronavirus pandemic and the criminal justice system.
To keep firearms safe from children, look to behavioral economics
To keep firearms safe from children, look to behavioral economics
Mental shortcuts and cognitive biases may factor into whether a gun gets locked up, separate from ammunition. New findings suggest several ways to positively influence this behavior.
Gaze and pupil dilation can reveal a decision before it’s made
Gaze and pupil dilation can reveal a decision before it’s made
These two biomarkers may offer clues into the underlying biological processes at play in decision making, according to research from neuroscientist Michael Platt.
With support from parents, teens forge a path to handle social distancing
With support from parents, teens forge a path to handle social distancing
Adolescents need and value their friends, relationships challenged by COVID-19 restrictions. By having explicit conversations and facilitating remote access to peers, the adults in their lives can help.
Media Contact
In the News
Psychology Today
Why being fun, authentic, and a realist is a winning triad
Research about self-motivation by Katie S. Mehr, Amanda E. Geiser, and Katherine L. Milkman of the Wharton School and Angela L. Duckworth of the School of Arts & Sciences was cited.
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KYW Newsradio (Philadelphia)
Spending too much time doomscrolling is hurting your mental health
Melissa Hunt of the School Arts & Sciences joined a conversation about “doomscrolling,” endlessly scrolling through bad news on social media, and the habit’s effect on mental health.
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Vox.com
Coronavirus is making us all socially awkward
Tess Wilkinson-Ryan of the Law School and School of Arts & Sciences explains why many feel anxious in social interactions that insinuate “that the other person is untrustworthy,” as when navigating social distancing boundaries.
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The New York Times
Trump says he ‘aced’ a cognitive test. What does that really mean?
Jason Karlawish of the Perelman School of Medicine commented on how President Trump has been framing the cognitive assessment he took. “The way our president is having a conversation about mental health is not helpful,” said Karlawish. “You would think he would understand clearly what the test result was and why the test was done and not turn it into a competition about mental health.”
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Philadelphia Inquirer
Psychologist explains why we formed bad habits during quarantine, and tips for how to break them
Thea Gallagher of the Perelman School of Medicine was interviewed about anxiety and coping mechanisms amid the pandemic.
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The Washington Post
As movie theaters reopen, they’re tackling a role they never expected to play: psychologist
Deborah Small of the Wharton School said the primary way to make people comfortable adhering to COVID-19 safety practices is to see many others in their peer group taking the same steps. “The twist now,” she said, “is that we’re told to avoid crowds.”
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