3/19
Psychology
The role of history in how efficient color names evolve
In a new study, biology and psychology researchers show how existing color vocabularies constrain future options for efficient color vocabularies.
Penn scientists reflect on one year of ChatGPT
The Data Driven Discovery Initiative hosted an interdisciplinary panel discussion with Penn researchers in chemistry, neuroscience, psychology, and political science.
How humans use their sense of smell to find their way
In the lab of neuroscientist Jay Gottfried, sixth-year psychology Ph.D. student Clara Raithel tries to understand how people’s brains respond to odors.
Five takeaways on urbanicity and depression research
Colin Xu and Robert DeRubeis discuss a recently published meta-analysis of the effects of urbanicity on depression in developing and developed countries.
How the hippocampus distinguishes true and false memories
Researchers in the School of Arts & Sciences have shown for the first time that electrical signals in the hippocampus differ immediately before recollection of true and false memories.
Can ChatGPT help us form personal narratives?
New research from Abigail Blyler and Martin Seligman at the Positive Psychology Center found that the language model can produce accurate personal narratives from stream-of-consciousness data.
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.
In the News
Can money buy you happiness? Yes, it can. However…
Research by Matthew Killingsworth of the Wharton School reveals there is no monetary threshold at which money's capacity to improve well-being diminishes.
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Philadelphia hospital program adds psychologists to bridge mental health services for trauma survivors
A new psychology team at the Penn Trauma Violence Recovery Program has provided about 46 survivors with short- and long- term therapy, featuring remarks from Elinore Kaufman and Lily Brown of the Perelman School of Medicine.
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Early humans had ADHD, scientists say after making people play game online
A collaborative study by researchers from Penn suggests that the impulsive component of ADHD may provide a competitive advantage to learn from rivals and “catch” new methods of achievement.
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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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The real reason you’re obsessed with spicy food
Paul Rozin of the School of Arts & Sciences agrees that it’s actually the pain that keeps us coming back for more spice.
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Why succeeding sometimes involves a step backward
Adam Grant of the Wharton School joins “Morning Joe” to discuss his new book, “Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things.”
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