Psychology

Psychology Today

Why kids need freedom to explore

Angela Duckworth of the School of Arts & Sciences pens an article saying allowing children to explore and sample interests rather than specialize can be beneficial.

NPR

Americans are stuck in unhealthy pandemic habits. Here's how to reboot

Katy Milkman of the Wharton School offered advice about how to change unhealthy habits formed during the pandemic. "We know when a shock arises and forces a change in our behavior for an extended period of time, there tend to be carryover effects because we're sticky in our behaviors," she said.

The New York Times

‘Kony 2012,’ 10 years later

Jonah Berger of the Wharton School said the film “Kony 2012” went viral because it tapped into basic human motivations through storytelling, social currency, and emotion.

A movie marquee with the words "1. Elbow Bumps 2. Foot Shakes 3. Just Wave!"

Perceptions shaped social behavior during the pandemic

Research from Penn psychologists found that Americans who most feared losing their connections continued interacting with others, paradoxically acting in ways that risked prolonging disease-mitigating social restrictions.

Vox.com

How to get better at making every type of decision

Katy Milkman of the Wharton School spoke about strategies for decision-making, which includes focusing on a clear objective, expending less energy on small choices, making decisions in advance when possible, getting a range of opinions, being in touch with one’s emotions, making pros and cons lists, and re-framing decisions as opportunities.

Silhouette of a person sitting against a wall on the side of the image, legs pulled up close to her chest.

Why are alcohol- and drug-related deaths rising in the U.S. and not elsewhere?

With insights from anthropology and neuroscience, Penn researchers Michael Platt and Peter Sterling find that, in comparison, 16 other wealthy nations offer communal assistance at every life stage, support that protects individuals and families long term.

two people standing outside back to back smiling at camera

Mentor support for the first-generation college experience

Three decades apart, senior Rachel Swym and alumna Leanne Huebner found a common bond in their rural backgrounds and first-generation, highly aided college experience.

Wordle interface with three five-letter words listed

Q&A

In Wordle, a case for ‘pure’ play

In a Q&A with Penn Today, Cait Lamberton of the Wharton School discusses some possible reasons for Wordle’s popularity.

Cover of the book "Creating conspiracy beliefs: How our thoughts are shaped" by Dolores Albarracín, Julia Albarracín, Man-pui Sally Chan, and Kathleen Hall Jamieson

A novel theory on how conspiracy theories take shape

In a new book, Dolores Albarracín, Kathleen Hall Jamieson, and colleagues show that two factors—the conservative media and societal fear and anxiety—have driven recent widespread conspiracies, from Pizzagate to those around COVID-19 vaccines.

Person wearing a face mask while studying in Fischer Fine Arts Library.

Mask-wearing and moral values

Tiffany Tieu led a study on the psychology of mask-wearing and its relationship with a person’s moral values, using Penn undergraduates as the subjects.

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