In her research, psychology professor Gabriele Oettingen has found that overly-positive thinking actually disincentives people from achieving their goals. She suggests pairing positive thinking with visualizations of obstacles that stand in the way.
Tag Archives: People
Manning up: Men may overcompensate when their masculinity is threatened
A study conducted at Stanford University shows that men lie about their height and other traits when they feel their masculinity is threatened.
The Complexities of Global Protests
The brief found at the top right of the link summarizes this report’s analysis of global protests since the mid-2000s. Click “Annex” for a chart that lists dozens of protest movements from 2010-2015 and their motivations.
Teens’ Penchant For Risk-Taking May Help Them Learn Faster
Most people tend to categorize the risk-taking behaviors of teenagers as a bad thing, but new research from Harvard University shows that brain development at that age can be beneficial for learning.
Is 8th Grade Too Early to Pick a Career?
Think you’re too young to start thinking about your professional life? Read this article to learn about a program in South Carolina that offers career counseling to eighth-grade students.
6 takeaways about teen friendships in the digital age
Check out this article to see the findings of a 2015 report that examined how digital technology affects friendships between teenagers.
Anne Frank Who? Museums Combat Ignorance About the Holocaust
Will Anne Frank ever be forgotten? As the Holocaust fades further into history, some historians are working to make sure that future generations don’t get the facts wrong or lose sight of its importance.
Immigration, Migration, Identity at Center Stage in 2017 Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., highlights the cultural diversity of American communities. Read to learn more about this colorful event that brings many cultures together in the nation’s capital.
12 issues almost all Americans agree on
If it sometimes seems like Americans will never agree with each other, think again. Here’s a look at some surprising poll results.
Are some facial expressions universal across cultures?
Cultures around the globe may have different approaches to social interactions, but the meanings of many facial expressions are the same.
Power Makes People Happy
Researchers say that the human need for power is less a desire to control others and more a wish to be free from others’ control.
How did the advent of television impact politics?
In today’s media-saturated political climate, it’s hard to imagine a world in which in news about government policies, court cases, and elected officials was relegated to print news sources. Read this article to learn about some of the ways in which television has impacted American politics.
Extraordinary Artist Stephen Wiltshire Sees Cities Once, Draws Detailed Panoramas From Memory
Artist Stephen Wiltshire is know around the world for his detailed panoramas of cities drawn from memory. Read this article to find out how his autism may help him focus his brain to produce such extraordinarily detailed works. Then click on the link to view a slideshow of his drawings.
Selma to Montgomery March
Watch a video on, and read about, the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches.
Kayla Montgomery: Young runner’s brave battle with MS
Champion runner Kayla Montgomery refuses to let Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis halt her running career. Read about her here.
Bitter Sweets
Bill Cheng writes about what it is like to be an A.B.C.: an American-Born Chinese. Read about his struggles to belong and feelings of being an outsider.
Cesar Chavez
Labor organizer Cesar Chavez was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for working to improve working and living conditions for migrant farm workers. Learn how he found the courage to speak out, organize a farm workers’ union, and lead nonviolent marches and boycotts of California table grape growers.
Navajos share stories about their past, the world
In Phoenix, Arizona, a new program allows people to learn about Navajo traditions and stories. Children and their families hear traditional Navajo stories that help them learn more about their roots.
“We got you:” How four teen surfers rescued drowning swimmers from a rip current
Four teen surfers rescue two swimmers fearing for their lives.
How one journalist risked her life to hold murderers accountable
Journalist Ida B. Wells was as civil rights activist during the late 1800’s. Her tireless struggle for justice helped spark the movement for equal rights.