Psychology

Person sitting in the dark, leaning on a desk, staring at a cell phone. A coffee cup and pile of papers sit nearby.

The language of loneliness and depression, revealed in social media

By analyzing Facebook posts, Penn researchers found that words associated with depression are often tied to emotions, whereas those associated with loneliness are linked to cognition.

Colorful image of an illustrated brain with neural networks in the back shown by lines and bursts of color.

During sleep, one brain region teaches another, converting novel data into enduring memories

Using a neural network model, Penn neuroscientist Anna Schapiro and colleagues found that as the body moves between REM and slow-wave sleep cycles, the hippocampus and neocortex interact in ways that are key to memory formation.

During sleep, one brain region teaches another, converting novel data into enduring memories

A study by Anna Schapiro of the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues has found that the hippocampus and neocortex are crucial to the formation of memories during sleep.

How to get a good night’s sleep

On an episode of “Radio Times,” Philip Gehrman of the Perelman School of Medicine discusses the science of sleep and its links to brain and body health and mental wellbeing.

Three maps of the U.S., one blue, one purple, one red, indicating partisan politics.

Where political views and fundamental beliefs intersect

Research from The Penn Primals Project debunks the idea that conservatives think the world is more dangerous than liberals, findings with implications for future research and productive political debate.

Hate cilantro? Love olives? Here’s why some foods are so polarizing

Paul Rozin of the School of Arts & Sciences says that every culture has something that’s considered disgusting elsewhere, noting that chocolate is a naturally bitter food that humans have modified.

Botox and bubble baths are Band-Aids. Here’s how to avoid consumerist self-care

Barbara Riegel of the School of Nursing says that “treat yourself” consumerism doesn’t meet the definition of self-care.

How habits get formed

On an episode of “Life Examined,” Katy Milkman of the Wharton School discusses the formation of habitual behaviors and some tips for adopting good habits.

‘Kind of awkward’: Doctors find themselves on a first-name basis

PIK Professor Jonathan Moreno recalls when it was unheard-of to call doctors by their first names, both in his own family and in the popular culture of the 1960s and ’70s.

Chess, fishing, Irish dancing: Cheating scandals reveal why we care about cheating

On a segment of “Consider This,” Maurice Schweitzer of the Wharton School explains how our culture encourages cheating and whether that affects his thoughts on human nature.

Filters

The language of loneliness and depression, revealed in social media

During sleep, one brain region teaches another, converting novel data into enduring memories

During sleep, one brain region teaches another, converting novel data into enduring memories

How to get a good night’s sleep

Where political views and fundamental beliefs intersect

Hate cilantro? Love olives? Here’s why some foods are so polarizing

Botox and bubble baths are Band-Aids. Here’s how to avoid consumerist self-care

How habits get formed

‘Kind of awkward’: Doctors find themselves on a first-name basis

Chess, fishing, Irish dancing: Cheating scandals reveal why we care about cheating