Psychology

Free museum community days support happiness, connection, local execs say

A study by Penn investigators last year concluded that museum visits decrease the production of stress hormones, elicit positive emotions among visitors, and make individuals feel more connected and less isolated.

Why do our taste buds change over time?

Richard Doty of the Perelman School of Medicine explains how taste buds gradually fade over time.

Whether or not you have ever lifted a weight, you can protect your brain health now

Katy Milkman of the Wharton School outlines the steps it takes to build a habit that sticks.

How you feel about your job affects how well you parent your kids

A study by Stew Friedman of the Wharton School found that children were better off when both their parents found work to be a source of challenge, creativity, and enjoyment.

Babies are born with an innate number sense

An article co-written by Sam Clarke of the School of Arts & Sciences examines a study by Chuyan Qu and colleagues in Elizabeth Brannon’s lab at SAS, which shows that children as young as 5 can perform approximate multiplication.

How to help your kid process the Eagles’ Super Bowl loss

James Pawelski of the School of Arts & Sciences says that it’s better to listen and be attuned to your child’s emotional processing than to have a game plan which assumes they’ll still be sad.

Even more than April 1, Valentine’s Day is for fools

In an Op-Ed, Tess Wilkinson-Ryan of Penn Carey Law explores how foolishness, vigilance, and uncertainty factor into intimate relationships and domestic partnerships.

Left, Tess Wilkinson-Ryan; right, cover of the book Fool Proof.

Q&A

The psychology of playing the fool

Law professor Tess Wilkinson-Ryan’s new book “Fool Proof: How Fear of Playing the Sucker Shapes Ourselves and the Social Order―and What We Can Do About It” explores the psychology of fools, dupes, cons, and morality.

Stressed by work? You can tap your own resilience

Martin Seligman of the School of Arts & Sciences discusses his new co-authored book, “TOMORROWMIND,” which shows how people can meet future challenges while thriving in the workplace.

Moral virtues and character strengths across the life span

Martin Seligman of the School of Arts & Sciences is lauded for convening a 2005 meeting at Penn of the world’s leading experts in the emerging field of positive psychology.

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