Psychology | Penn Today

Here’s how to boost your daily happiness in only three minutes

A 2005 study by Martin Seligman of the School of Arts & Sciences found that writing down three good things that happened at the end of each day led to long-term increases in happiness and decreases in depression.

Gemma Hong and Sophie Young standing together holding copies of their book.

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.

Depression can get better. These four Philadelphians are living proof

David Mandell of the Perelman School of Medicine says that with good treatment people can go for years without experiencing the major symptoms of depression.

Want to get in the flow? Try this math equation

Angela Duckworth of the School of Arts & Sciences says that the larger number of possible outcomes in graded assignments provides a greater reduction in uncertainty than pass-fail assignments.

One study said happiness peaked at $75,000 in income. Now, economists say it’s higher—by a lot

A study co-authored by Matthew Killingsworth of the Wharton School, PIK Professor Barbara Mellers, and a team from Princeton found that happiness improves with higher earnings, up to $500,000 a year, except for those who were “rich and miserable” for other reasons.

How your beliefs shape reality

Jer Clifton of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses how beliefs shape reality and how to use that knowledge to live a happier and more harmonious life.

Illustration of a person holding a brief case bounding up stacks of money. Dollar signs float all around and one appears in a large circular coin at the bottom right.

Does more money correlate with greater happiness?

Reconciling previously contradictory results, researchers from Penn and Princeton find a steady association between larger incomes and greater happiness for most people but a rise and plateau for an unhappy minority.

Bad smells may be leading to some of the reported symptoms in East Palestine: Experts

Richard Doty of the Perelman School of Medicine says that odor irritants can cause chest congestion and allergic reactions while also operating on the autonomic nervous system.

Why do so many men avoid doctor’s visits?

Nora Brier of the Perelman School of Medicine says that avoidance can worsen the anxiety and fear triggered by potential visits to the doctor’s office.

Many differences between liberals and conservatives may boil down to one belief

Research by Jer Clifton and postdoc Nicholas Kerry of the School of Arts & Sciences suggests that the main difference between the political left and right is the belief that the world is inherently hierarchical.

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