Department of Psychology

Jonathan Kanter, research associate professor of psychology and director of the Center for the Science of Social Connection, explains how to have a joyous holiday season amidst COVID-19.

Jane Simoni, professor of psychology at the UW, talks about the mental health challenges people are experiencing during the winter amidst the pandemic. [Segment begins at :25.]

Alan Marlatt, a leading addiction researcher and professor of psychology at the UW, is mentioned in this article about applying the principle of harm reduction to COVID-19.

UW Tacoma alum Omari Amili speaks with formerly-incarcerated UW alumni and faculty.

Affective Software Inc., is releasing a new portal and products to harness technology in assessing and improving relationships. Affective Software was co-founded by John Gottman, professor emeritus of psychology at the UW, and Julie Gottman, who found fame with their research-based love and therapy institute and the so-called “Love Lab,” which opened in 1986 at the UW.

An octopus has more neurons in its arms than in its head. It’s difficult to imagine how they perceive the world, but scientists have tried. Dominic Sitivilli, a doctoral student in psychology and astrobiology at the UW, is quoted.

Jane Simoni, professor of psychology at the UW, gives advice on how to navigate interpersonal conflicts that arise from changing Thanksgiving plans and shares how her own plans have changed.

We know spending the holidays on our own will keep our loved ones healthy. That doesn’t make it any easier. But there’s joy to be found in solitude. We spoke to experts in stress and connection who told us how to navigate the complicated emotions around spending the holidays alone. Jonathan Kanter, research associate professor of psychology at the UW, is quoted.

One of the last things that Lilienne Shore Kilgore-Brown did during her senior year of high school before the pandemic was travel to Olympia, the capital of Washington, to advocate for state-wide comprehensive sex education. In March, the Washington state legislature passed the legislation that Kilgore-Brown and her peers had advocated for. Nicole McNichols, associate teaching professor of psychology at the UW, is quoted.

In some ways, you might think that COVID-19 would be a boon for people who relish alone time or who worry in social situations, but as a clinical psychologist, I’m noticing that despite socializing less, many of my clients are stressing more about connecting, writes Jenny Taitz. Marsha Linehan, professor emeritus of psychology at the UW, is referenced.

“A recent study has determined that watching nature programming on TV or via a virtual-reality headset reduces feelings of sadness and boredom. According to researchers from the University of Exeter, scenes of nature soothe us – whether they are real video footage of a coral reef, to use the study’s example, or even just computer-generated graphics of the same,” writes Adrienne Matei. Peter Kahn, professor of psychology and of environmental and forest sciences, is quoted.

A psychology course on human sexuality is the largest UW class — ever. Revising the content has been a journey.

The stress and uncertainty involved with COVID-19 create fertile ground for guilt to arise. SELF shares advice on when guilt is healthy, when it’s not, and how to keep it under control. Jane Simoni, professor of psychology at the UW, is quoted.

When the pandemic hit, mental health professionals predicted lockdowns and social distancing would result in a wave of loneliness. But researchers who study loneliness say that hasn’t happened. A comment by Jonathan Kanter, research associate professor of psychology at the UW, is included.

During this time of uncertainty and isolation, find solace in digital opportunities to connect, share, and engage. Each week, we will share upcoming events that bring the UW, and the greater community, together online.  Many of these online opportunities are streamed through Zoom. All UW faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom Pro via UW-IT.  Curating...