| The Positive Psychology Lab
focuses on understanding the factors that affect human happiness
and the benefits of happiness to individuals. To this end, the
lab addresses three critical questions: How are personality
traits related to subjective well-being? What moderates the
relation between income and happiness? What is the impact of
emotions and well-being on physical health? During the 2007-2008
academic year the goal of the lab is to better understand the
effects of purchasing choices on psychological need satisfaction
and well-being.
Director: Dr. Ryan T. Howell is an Assistant Professor
of Psychology at San Francisco State University. He received his
B.S. in Psychology, cum laude, from Westmont College (1998) and
his Ph.D. in Personality Psychology from the University of
California, Riverside (2005). Howell currently teaches courses
in psychological statistics and research methods and serves as
graduate advisor. Howell's main research interest is developing
statistical models to predict subjective well-being (SWB) from
the Big Five personality traits and daily activities. Howell is
also interested in the role increased well-being plays in
improved physiological health. For example, in Howell's most
resent meta-analysis his findings point to multiple potential
biological pathways, such that well-being can directly bolster
immune functioning and buffer the impact of stress.
Research Project Manager: Dr. Colleen J. Howell
graduated summa cum laude from Westmont College in 1999 with her
B.S. in Biology and received her Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences
(2006) from University of California, Riverside. Her current
psychological interests involve determining the moderators of
the income-SWB relation in developing countries. Some of her
most recent work has involved examining the strength of the
income-SWB relation among non-Western samples via a
meta-analysis as well as through a case study of poor indigenous
farmers in Peninsular Malaysia. She hopes to eventually merge
her environmental and SWB research interests to examine the
extent to which better environmental conditions lead to greater
happiness.
Research Position Opening
The Positive Psychology Laboratory is interested in training
volunteer research assistants during the 2007-2008 academic
year. Psychology majors, especially those interested in pursuing
graduate studies in personality or positive psychology, are
strongly encouraged to apply.
All potentially interested should e-mail
rhowell@sfsu.edu with a
statement of interest, resume, and contact information.
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