Positive Psychology

Through insights and research, Dr. Shari Kuchenbecker and her student collaborators explore the many ways that psychology can improve the quality of daily life.  Their combined studies look at ways to increase feelings of life satisfaction, overall happiness, and contributing factors to better futures for all.  Popularly called Positive Psychology, they uncover the scientific foundations for increasing multicultural affirmation, supporting personal growth through facing challenges with empathy, and the reciprocal value of helping others.  This is just to name a few of the studies accepted to present at the 2008 Annual Meetings of the Western Psychological Association and American Psychological Association.  Read below for a list of all presentation topics.

Faculty:  Dr. Shari Kuchenbecker, Department of Psychology

Chapman student presentations at the 2008 American Psychological Association Annual Meeting:

Bradley, Tommy and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Exercise and well-being:  Surfers, exercisers, athletes and non-exercisers.   

Newell, Allie; Pugh, Danny; Bashist, Gabby; Soto, Robert and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Positive Role Models, Optimistic Attributions, Empathy and Sociocultural Change. 

Chapman student presentations at the 2008 Western Psychological Association Annual Meeting:

Breit, Kristen, Wanstreet, Jessica, & Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Creativity:  Self-reported limiting vs. encouraging parental behaviors and students’ risk taking, well-being and GPA. 

Braze, Sheree and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  College students’ community service:  Feel Good, Do Good Awareness and Well Being.

Brink, Kevin and Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Emotional self-regulation:  Self-efficacy. Empathy, and Perceived Life Satisfaction.

Choi, Yuri and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Exercise and Well-being:  Men’s Greater Body and Appearance Satisfaction and Reduced Stress.

Focht, Amanda; Krugman, Aaron and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Broaden & Build:  Effects of positive, negative and neutral Instructions on Preschoolers’ Participation.

Grossi, Dana and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  .Resilient Students:  Positive and Negative Perceived Teachers’ Influence on Student Motivation.

Jablonski, Jessica and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008). Empathy and/or Personal Experience Related to Decreased Sexual Orientation Discrimination.

Krajniak, Ryan and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Mood and music:  High Music Emotional Self-Regulators Show Enhanced Responding to Differing Music Genres.

Lau, Cecilia and Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Self-wakers vs. Alarm Clock Dependent Individuals:  Enhanced Life Satisfaction and GPA.

Nguyen, Linda and Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Father vs. Mother Dominant Parent;  Social Involvement, Academic Success, Empathy and Life Satisfaction.

Poynter, Kellie and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008)  Positive, negative and neutral framing of standardized test instructions and student performance.

Pugh, Danny and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Intelligence and Empathy:  Balancing Social and Academic Obligations.

Smekal, Allison and Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Identity, Familial Curiosity and Well Being among Adopted and Non-Adopted Children.

Soto, Robert;  Bashist, Gabby and Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Positive Multicultural Framing:  Creative, academic and personal contribution willingness among Majority and Minority Group Members.

Ulrich, Bryston and Kuchenbecker, S.  (2008).  Framing challenges:  Staying down or getting up again.

Ward, Karen and Kuchenbecker, S. (2008).  Birth Order Serendipity and Willingness to Try New Activities.

Note: Chapman student presenters are underlined.