Greater Good

Articles: Can Positive Thinking Really Make Dreams Come True?

A new book says we can't ask more of our fantasies than they can give us.

Articles: Can Mindfulness Help Mothers of Severely Disabled Children?

A new study suggests a way to help the parents of children with autism and other developmental disorders.

Articles: Two Ways to Foster Grit

To help students learn to overcome obstacles in pursuit of long-term goals, educators should focus on developing cognitive and emotional skills.

Articles: Optimism for Me, Pessimism for We

New research explains why we tend to think we're all doomed, even as we hope for a better personal future. Can we close that gap between private optimism and public pessimism?

Articles: How Awe Can Help Students Develop Purpose

Research suggests that inducing awe in the classroom might inspire kids to find a sense of purpose in life

Articles: Just One Thing: See Progress

As we look back on the past year, we'll be able to see things that have gotten worse. But Rick Hanson asks us to also recognize what's gotten better.

Articles: Our Ten Favorite Books of 2012

Greater Good's editors pick ten of the most thought-provoking, important, useful, or moving nonfiction books we read this year.

Articles: How to Help Students Develop Hope

According to research, hope is key to academic achievement--and it's a skill students can develop over time. Here's how.

Articles: 12 Steps to Happiness

A slideshow illustrating a dozen research-tested happiness activities you can start practicing today.

Articles: Rainy Brain, Sunny Brain

A new book explores what makes you optimistic or pessimistic—and how to build optimism as a skill.

Videos and Podcasts: Fostering Optimism and Confidence

Optimists are happier, healthier, and more successful.

Raising Happiness: Podcast: Fostering Optimism and Confidence

Optimists are happier, healthier, and more successful

Raising Happiness: Podcast: Does Your Child Have “Problems”?

Happy people see their problems as challenges

Videos and Podcasts: Does Your Child Have “Problems”?

Teachers often come to parents when their children have problems, but sometimes their framing can lead kids to believe that they can’t do something, or that they are failing. Are problems better framed as opportunities and challenges?

Research Digest Items/Studies: The Keys to Resilience

Raising Happiness: Tuesday Tip: Imagine Your “Best Possible Future Self”

One thing you can do today to be happier.

Raising Happiness: My UC Berkeley Commencement Speech

Brief advice for a life well-lived

Research Digest Items/Studies: When it Comes to Relationships, Reality Might Be Overrated

Research Digest Items/Studies: How Well Do We Predict Our Happiness?

Raising Happiness: Rethinking Optimism

Fostering confidence in children is easier than you think.