Psychology | Penn Today

Tobias Nasgarde (left) and Garrett Meccariello, graduate students in the University of Pennsylvania’s Master of Behavioral and Decision Sciences program at Penn.

A gentle nudge at the right moment can curb unnecessary spending online

It turns out, reminding people of their financial goals before they start online shopping can reduce unnecessary spending of this kind by almost 25 percent.

Criminologist John MacDonald and emergency medicine physician Eugenia South of the University of Pennsylvania.

Greening vacant lots reduces depression in city dwellers

People living within a quarter mile of greened lots had a 41.5 percent decrease in feelings of depression and a nearly 63 percent decrease in self-reported “poor mental health,” compared to those who lived near the lots that received no intervention.

Why people don’t prepare for disasters

Wharton's Robert Meyer discusses the lack of disaster preparedness individuals take in response to hurricane season, and the psychology of decision-making in relation to disasters.

Which antidepressant is right for you? This genetic test could help

The Perelman School of Medicine’s Michael Thase co-authored a study that found that patients experiencing depression were 30 percent more likely to respond well to treatments selected with guidance from genetic testing. “Having knowledge in improving the care of your patient is a good thing,” said Thase.

Why are we so mesmerized by stories like the cave rescue in Thailand?

Deborah Small of the Wharton School discussed the public’s fascination with dramatic news stories with the possibility of a narrative conclusion. Small said that chronic social issues like poverty or malnutrition were less likely to captivate the public’s attention. (Audio)

This is how police killings affect black mental health

Atheendar Venkataramani of the Perelman School of Medicine co-authored a study comparing the impact that reports of police killings have on white and black participants. The researchers found that the news was actively detrimental to black adults’ psyches.

Here’s when family therapy can help

Jacqueline Hudak of the Perelman School of Medicine was interviewed about the benefits of family counseling.

What Testosterone Does to Men’s Preferences for Luxury Brands

A study co-authored by researchers at the Wharton School found that men, and likely women, too, are influenced by hormones when shopping.

Psychologists Looked in the Mirror… and Saw a Bunch of Liberals

PIK Professor Philip Tetlock weighed in on the results of a study that found a lack of political diversity within the field of psychology. Tetlock proposed more collaboration between researchers with different political views.

Roy Hamilton of Penn Medicine was part of a research team that looked at whether a minimally invasive brain stimulation can reduce someone's intent to commit a violent crime.

Brain stimulation decreases intent to commit assault

Research from Penn Medicine and the Criminology department shows that using minimally invasive electrical currents on the prefrontal cortex can reduce the desire to carry out such violence and increase the perception that it’s morally wrong.

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