Research Bites

One page summaries of Positive Psychology Research from my psychology masters at Harvard Extension and how all of those positive psychology topics fit into Coaching Ourselves and Our Families.

Topics include: Resilience, Habit, Self-Control, Compassion, Growth Mindset, Grit, Goals, Happiness, Gratitude, Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, Autonomy, Motivation, Coaching, and more.

Are “My Choice” Messages Making People Sick? (2020) Hook

Principle: The idea that my health is my choice obscures the fact that health is influenced by personal choice and

Changing Unhealthy Eating with Policy (2020) Roberto

Principle: Our brains influence our food decisions automatically and we can make public policies to take advantage of this fact.

Implementation Intentions to Exercise (2019) Robinson

Principle: People are busy, but if they take a minute to determine when, where, and how they will exercise, they

Over-Estimating Self-Control (2009) Nordgren

Principle: People overestimate their impulse control, so they over-expose themselves to temptation. Quote: “This biased perception of restraint had important

Self-Control in the Brain & in Real Life (2011) Berkman

Principle: Self-Control measured in our brains predicts self-control in everyday situations like resisting the urge to smoke. Quote: “This study

Grit Needs Perseverance & Passion (2020) Jachimowicz

Principle: To reach long-term goals you need more than perseverance; you need passion. Quote: “I mean, if you are really,

Deliberate Practice Makes Experts (2009) Ericsson

Principle: Deliberate Practice creates elite performers, not natural talent. Quote: “The central attribute of deliberate practice is that individuals seek

Don’t Specialize Too Early (2022) Güllich

Principle: World-Class Athletes started later and played more sports than national counterparts. Quote: “Senior world-class performers engaged in more coach-led

What is Grit? (2007) Duckworth

Principle: Sticking to a long-term goal you care about creates more success than being smart. Quote: “The gritty individual approaches

Growth Mindset in Teachers (2022) Yeager

Principle: Growth Mindset training can nudge up average math grades for high school freshmen, but supportive growth mindset math teachers