How merry is it to lie to your kids about Santa Claus? While some parents worry about the impact of lying to their children about this popular Christmas legend, it’s possible that it may be better for them in the long run. This is what Dr. Kristen Dunfield, a professor of developmental psychology, argued in…
Read MoreEmotions in Gift Giving
What do you say when you receive a gift you are not too fond of? In light of this holiday season, the University of Hertfordshire has conducted a study on gift giving. The focus of this study was determining whether or not gift givers could tell whether or not a recipient liked a present just…
Read MoreChristmas Rituals and Emotions
Is the holiday complete without traditional family celebrations and holiday rituals? This is exactly what a team of Spanish and Chilean researchers attempted to evaluate in a 2011 study. Situating their research into an extensive tradition finding that ritual practices are important for personal happiness and family cohesion, Dr. Paez and his team examined what…
Read MoreWant A Truly Merry Holiday? Focus on Celebrations, Not Stuff
As holiday season approaches, many of us must reflect on what exactly will make the holidays most joyous. In a fascinating study from 2002, a pair of researchers asked over a hundred people about their stress and happiness during the holidays, including questions about consumption behavior. They found that family-based or religious celebrations tended to…
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