Positive Psychology

Photograph of Rhonda Swickert, Ph.D.

Dr. Rhonda Swickert

My research interests are focused on factors that promote well-being. My most recent work has examined how the process of mindful awareness could enhance our ability to be more empathic, grateful, and forgiving, which are all factors that are very important in promoting happiness. I am also interested in how people learn and grow from weathering aversive events.

The protocol that I use to study mindfulness involves invoking a state of mindfulness in a laboratory environment and measuring its influence on processes such as forgiveness. This research is important because it serves to highlight factors within ourselves that we can cultivate to improve our own happiness and well-being. Students who work with me will have the opportunity to design experiments, collect data, analyze data and learn how to effectively communicate empirical findings.