What is the meaning of life? Depends on your politics
Researchers find that conservatives, more so than liberals, find their lives are meaningful or have purpose.
It’s Friday the 13th: Are you feeling unlucky?
From numbers to colors, superstitions vary dramatically from culture to culture. For this Friday the 13th, USC Dornsife faculty trace what we share and how we differ in what we believe brings us good luck — and bad.
The Surprising Impact Happiness Has on Health, Relationships and Even the Economy
Researchers across disciplines at USC turn a scientific eye on happiness and its complex connection to our health, relationships and economy.
Are You Bad at Making Decisions? USC Experts Explain Why You’re Not Alone — and How to Get Better
The science of making up your mind is more complicated than you might think.
Law, psychology expert helps the littlest witnesses have their day in court
🔊 Audio story: For 20 years, Thomas Lyon has been studying how to best interview child witnesses. Now he’s making a difference in their court cases, too.
Unique corps makes volunteering for scientific research easy, speeding studies
The Healthy Minds Research Volunteer Corps at USC enlists potential research participants of varying racial and socioeconomic backgrounds from across the greater Los Angeles area.
Pink for boys and blue for girls: the colorful history of things designed for kids
Whether it’s clothes, toys, books or schools, the designs tell students a lot about marketing and childhood.
Are Smartphones as Addictive as Drugs?
Since their introduction 10 years ago, smartphones have become a necessity many can’t live without.
What really causes workplace stress? USC study aims at a more productive society
Shrikanth Narayanan leads a team focusing on sleep quality, self-assessed work performance and social interaction among Keck Medicine of USC nurses.
Lessons from hide-and-go-seek: Game unlocks the secret workings of children’s minds
🔊 Audio story: Henrike Moll’s research shakes up long-held beliefs about what makes kids tick. Want to play?
Truthiness: How Pictures Turn Fiction to Fact
A USC Alumna Has Psychology on Her Mind
A USC Dornsife alumna takes down our hurdles to better mental health.
Neuroscientists Track the Power of Gratitude
The testimonies of Holocaust survivors help scientists map the brain circuitry of their subjects.
Clinical Psychologist Heals Unseen Wounds
Psychology, social work spark the dreams of a drag performer
Alum sees personal strength where others perceive weakness, which leads to professional opportunities.
How to Raise a Teen—the Right Way
If your child screams, “I hate you,” this USC School of Social Work expert has an approach that may help.
The Science Behind Our Habits
Novelist explains how psychology honed his writing
USC Dornsife alumnus, professor and best-selling author tells how his work as a clinical psychologist turned him into a successful crime writer.
Love makes the world of giving go ’round
USC Marshall team studies love, compassion, hope and pride, finding that only one of those emotions boosts charity for international causes.
Digital game designed to motivate students is under development
Grant awarded to turn research-based program into a project that boosts a student’s academic success.
How to make successful New Year’s resolutions
USC Dornsife’s John Monterosso has some ideas — and makes a case for rethinking well-intentioned resolutions that sap pleasure from your life.
Can you tell if your therapist has empathy?
New software developed by researchers detects a person’s ability to understand or share feelings in therapy sessions.
What do perceptions say about our world views?
USC Dornsife psychologist examines how our minds perceive the world around us — and how those perceptions can differ from reality.
New software system developed to analyze online communication
Bridging the fields of psychology and computer science, USC expert brings state-of the-art techniques to the social sciences.