Penn Study Weighs Instant Gratification vs. More Prosperous Future

A glass sphere encloses swirling metallic cubes with a small set of clock hands at the center. The background transitions from blue to orange, suggesting a blend of technology and time.

Professor Joseph Kable and Ph.D. student Trishala Parthasarathi’s research found that individuals with more vivid imaginations tend to be more impulsive, particularly in choosing immediate smaller rewards over larger future ones. Their study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, suggests that visualization training may actually increase impulsivity, challenging conventional expectations about enhancing patience through visualizing future goals.Read More

Women Will Compete Against Self, Not Others, to Improve Performance

Headshot of a person with long dark hair standing outdoors, wearing a brown blazer. The background shows a grassy area with trees and a building.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, George Mason University, and the German Institute for Economic Research found that women are less likely to engage in competitive situations compared to men unless they are competing against themselves, which may affect their representation in higher-ranking job roles. To address this, the researchers suggest restructuring workplace competition to focus on self-improvement rather than competing against others, which can potentially help reduce gender disparities in the workplace.Read More