Skip the angry-letter-never-sent; try a grateful one

It’s long been said that writing an angry letter – but not mailing it —– is an effective way of venting without backlash. UC Riverside researchers say the converse — penning letters-never-sent expressing gratitude — carries a benefit, as well. There is an entire area of study in psychology devoted...

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education

Apple TV+ series features UCR professor as 'gratitude expert'

The lessons in today’s preschool animated series are a moonshot from the anvil-dropping antics of their parents’-parents’ generation. Case in point: UC Riverside psychology researcher Sonja Lyubomirsky is the “gratitude expert” for a new preschool animated series from Apple TV+, “Sago Mini Friends.” The concept of gratitude is writ large...

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education

Partners help us stay connected during pandemic

A pair of UCR studies reveal that living with a romantic partner helps people feel more socially connected during COVID-19. But no other pandemic-era social dynamic carries notable benefits, the researchers found: not your kids, not kibitzing with your bestie on FaceTime, and not your adorable-adoring pets. “Research prior to...

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education

Research suggests the happiest introverts may be extraverts

If you are an introvert, force yourself to be an extravert. You’ll be happier. That’s the suggestion of the first-ever study asking people to act like extraverts for a prolonged period. For one week, the 123 participants were asked to – in some cases – push the boundaries of their...

By J.D. Warren | | Social Science / Education