Communications | Penn Today

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.

Three new pandemic initiatives launch as Biden hits one-year mark

Kathleen Hall Jamieson of the Annenberg Public Policy Center said that even if vaccination rates continue to climb despite anti-vax sentiments, there would still be room for improvement. “Even the relatively small part of the population that accepts misinformation is problematic,” she said.

Person looking at laptop computer, visibly concerned.

What can be done to prevent and resist image-based abuse?

A virtual symposium held by Annenberg’s Center for Media at Risk and the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative brought together experts from around the world to analyze the abuse commonly referred to as “revenge porn.”

Adult holding a toothbrush standing with arm around toddler brushing teeth.

Parental praise associated with longer toddler toothbrushing, a barometer of persistence

Using a first-of-its-kind video-based study, Penn and Yale developmental psychologists found that how parents talk to their 3-year-old during toothbrushing matters to the child’s behavior.

White House points finger at the press

Victor Pickard of the Annenberg School for Communication weighed in on the relationship between the media and the Biden administration. “They don’t want to have the same relationship that the Trump administration had, and I don’t think they do,” said Pickard.

PIK Professor Kevin Johnson named University Professor

Kevin Johnson, who has appointments in the Perelman School of Medicine and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and a secondary appointment in the Annenberg School for Communication, will become the David L. Cohen University Professor.

African American man jogging on a track.

Brief intervention increased physical activity in African American men living with HIV

A new study finds that with just three sessions, participants improved both their aerobic and muscle strengthening activities, which could help them live longer and more active lives.

Hand holding scissors cutting a bunch of cigarettes in another hand held over a trash bin.

Emphasizing short-term effects can help prevent and reduce youth smoking

A recent study by Annenberg researchers finds that anti-tobacco campaigns focused on tangible, short-term consequences are a promising way to prevent young people from smoking and encouraging them to quit.

What big data reveals about online extremism

Homa Hosseinmardi and her colleagues at Penn’s Computational Social Science Lab studied browsing data from 300,000 Americans to gain insights into how online radicalization occurs, and to help develop solutions.

Cover of the book "After Campus Sexual Assault: A Guide for Parents by Susan B. Sorenson." In the middle is a twisted red pipe cleaner.

New book offers lessons for parents on discussing campus sexual assault

In the guide for caregivers whose child was sexually assaulted on a college campus, Susan B. Sorenson provides advice and identifies resources, both on campus and within the community.

Filters